Enoch J. Evans (1836 - 1905)

EVANS

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 10/26/2021 at 11:01:02

The Osceola Democrat, Osceola, Iowa
December 21, 1905, Page 1

Enoch Evans

Mr. Evans was born near Sparta, Ohio, Apr. 30, 1836, and died at Osceola, Iowa, Dec. 12, 1905. He was the third child of a family of twelve children born to Owen Evans and his wife, Mary George Evans. These were pioneer days in that part of Ohio. Children obtained but little education, and that for but a few months in the back woods log school houses in the winter. Very few ever advanced beyond a training in the three R's, readin', riten', and 'rithmetic. Mr. Evans, however, availed himself of the training of a Quaker Academy, celebrated then and for may a later day for opportunities of development equal to the average High School of the present day. This was the Mount Hesper Academy, founded by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Harkness, both of whom are still living, the former 93 and the latter 91 years of age. Here Mr. Evans and many other young men and young women, for the school was coeducational, had their ideals formed. Mr. Evans was at this school two years or longer. During his whole life, he spoke of the school with fond remembrance, and whenever he returned to his native state he always made solicitous inquiries concerning these directors of his youthful steps.

Mr. Evans came to Osceola 49 years ago, where an older brother had already taken up a homestead. The railroads of those days came only to the Mississippi, and the rest of the trip from Burlington was upon a stagecoach. Mr. Evans first engaged in teaching. Pioneer teachers were solely needed and difficult to find in those days, and the school houses were log cabins. Teaching in winter and boarding around; and in the summer working as a farm hand for $12 a month, board and washing were none the most delightful tasks of those days, but one to which Mr. Evans courageously set himself. Mr. Evans was next employed for eight years as overseer in the log cabin store of Howe and Seth Richards, which the old settlers know to have been a prominent landmark for years in Osceola.

Mr. Evans' first purchase of real estate was in 1878. ALong with this he engaged in general stock dealing and horse raising. In later years the horse has been his chief business interest. But his interest was more than financial. He loved animals of courage and endurance. He loved that class which could show fidelity and appreciation. Their mute expressions were lasting joys to the quiet and almost taciturn man.

Mr. Evans has a long list of friends, and probably no enemies. His best friends do not remember ever seeing him angry. He was never very communicative and never engages in small or trashy talk. Yet he could talk freely when there was something more than the weather to discuss. He was a lover of children, who instinctively came to his knee to converse silently with the man whose spirit seemed to understand their own.

Mr. Evans was never very communitive upon his religious convictions or experience. This was principally because he avoided any publicity. Those most intimate with him know that the Bible was his daily guide. A well used Bible was found near the head of his bed, and upon the "Fly Leaf" the inscription, "I shall never give up my Bible, Enoch J. Evans." He was a firm believer in the brotherhood of man, the fatherhood of God, and newness of life through Christ Jesus. He was a willing helper of many churches, interested in them all, but regarded their lines of separation as purely artificial.

From us has gone a considerate neighbor, a loving friend, a man of unfailing courtesy and sympathy, and of quiet devotion to his duty.
Anon.
Transcribed as published by Karen Brewer