EVANS, James H.

EVANS, HILL, TINCKNELL, ZORNES, FITCH, GIBSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 06:39:04

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 320-22. Chicago. 1915.

James H. Evans

James H. Evans, who has lived retired for about twenty years, having gained a competence that insures him of comfort, was born on the 3d of January, 1845, at Cheddar, England, a son of Edwin and Sarah (Hill) Evans, who were likewise natives of that place. The father was by trade an envelope cutter and followed that occupation for a number of years in England, but in 1848 removed with his family to the United States, settling in New York state. In 1850 they came to Iowa and located in Delaware county, where the father engaged in farming. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that county and during the first few vears that the family resided there their nearest neighbors were a number of miles distant and Indians could still be seen occasionally. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were highly esteemed in their locality. The demise of the father occurred on the 12th of March, 1906, and that of the mother in 1902. Two of their children died in infancy; James H., of this review, is the next in order of birth; and Walter is living in Grand River township, Decatur county.

James H. Evans received his education in the public schools of Delaware county but much of his time as a boy and youth was spent to assisting his father with the work of the farm. When he was eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served in the Union army until the 24th of August, 1865, when he was discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, after having been in the army for almost two years, as he enlisted on the 28th of September, 1863. He fought in the battles of Tupelo; Guntown; Salem, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia; Meridian and Oxford, Mississippi; and Osage, Kansas; and was in the army that opposed General Price at Big Blue River and Independence, Missouri. Not only did Mr. Evans have a part in driving General Price and his army from Missouri, but he also assisted in the capture of General Marmaduke and eight hundred prisoners and participated in the battles of Jackson and Black River Bridge, Mississippi, as well as other engagements of lesser importance.

After returning from the war Mr. Evans began farming in Delaware county, Iowa, and gained gratifying success in that connection, proving himself a practical and able agriculturist. In 1890 he took the census of North Fork township, Delaware county, and his work was very satisfactory to his superiors. In connection with his farming he was for many years engaged in auctioneering, which business he took up in 1880. He found it very profitable and also enjoyed the opportunity that it gave him of enlarging his acquaintanceship, as, in connection with his work, he met many people who became his warm friends. In 1893 he removed to Decatur county and purchased a farm, which he operated for a time. For about two decades he has lived retired at Leon. He now holds the office of overseer of the poor at Leon and is president of the soldiers' relief fund and gives no little time and energy to the discharge of the duties devolving upon him in those connections.

Mr. Evans was married on the 12th of December, 1866, to Miss Jane Tincknell, a daughter of George and Betsy Tincknell, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have become the parents of the following children: E. F.; James; two daughters who bore the name of Annie, both of whom are deceased; Amelia, deceased; Ida, who married James Zornes and who has now passed away; and Minnie, Mattie, John and George. Minnie first married William Fitch, by whom she has one child, Lora, and following his demise she was united in marriage to James Zornes, by whom she has had two children, Grace and Margaret. George, who is a physician located at Kansas City, Missouri, married Miss Maggie Gibson and they have one child, Audra.

Mr. Evans is a republican and is stalwart in his support of that party which rallied to the defense of the Union. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years he has been very active in the work of that organization, having filled almost every office in the church, and he has also served acceptably as Sunday school superintendent. The Grand Army of the Republic finds in him a loyal member and he has been commander of the Leon post and also quartermaster thereof. Although he has retired from active business, he is by no means idle, as he finds much to do in working for the success of undertakings conceived to promote the welfare of his city and county.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014