Clay Evans, a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, is the owner of a well improved farm embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Washington township. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1872, his parents being John and Catherine (Conard) Evans, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. The father still makes his home in Highland county, Ohio, but the mother passed away in that state in 1899. To them were born six sons, all of whom survive.
In his youth Clay Evans attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and when eighteen years of age left the parental roof and made his way by Indiana, in that state being employed as a machinist in a furniture factory for seven years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Ohio but a year lataer came to Adair county, Iowa, arriving here in 1898. Later he entered the army as a private of Company H, Seventh Iowa Infantry, and was sent to the Philippines, where he served for eighteen months. After returning to this county he worked for Mr. McDermott for some years and then purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Washington township, which he now owns and operates. The property is excellently improved and in connection with the production of cereals Mr. Evans makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs, finding both branches of his business remunerative.
On the 15th of February, 1905, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude F. Clark, a native of Kansas and a daughter of G. F. and Matilda (Dinsmoor) Clark, who were born in New Hampshire and Ohio respectively. In 1884 they came to Adair county, Iowa, and took up thei rabode on the farm now in the possession of our subject. G. F. Clark represented his district in the Iowa legislature and for a good many years was surveyor of Adair county. In the fall of 1905 he and his wife went to North Dakota and lived there four years, after which they went to West Plains, Missouri, where they have a lovely home among the Ozark mountains. To them have been born five children, four of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of two children, Mildred Irene and George K.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Evans has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. At present he is serving as assessor of Washington township, making a creditable record in that capacity. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are people of the highest respectability and their genuine personal worth has attracted many warm friends. | 
