Martin V. B. Evans

EVANS, THOMAS, CLEAVER, JACKSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/11/2011 at 18:05:55

MARTIN V. B. EVANS, who is the present efficient Mayor of Beaman, Grundy County, is well known throughout the county. His father, Griffith Evans, was born in Brown County, Ohio, and was a son of Abraham Evans, who went from Virginia to Ohio, where he died at about the age of ninety-three years. Griffith, who was reared in his native county, followed the trade of a farmer and miller, and died when about forty-one years old. The mother journeyed to Knox County, Ill., in 1855 with her seven children, and in 1862 went to Iowa, locating in Marshall County on a farm. She died in her sixty-first year.

The birth of our subject occurred October 24, 1838, in Brown County, Ohio. He lived on the farm with his parents until the time of the father’s death, when he went to live with his uncle, Silas Thomas; he went to Illinois with him in 1853, but came to this state with his mother. He rented land for one year, when he enlisted in the late war, and after that great conflict he returned to Marshall County and worked at threshing and various other occupations.

On October 21, 1868, Mr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Cleaver, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jesse and Sarah E. (Jackson) Cleaver. The latter were Quakers of Pennsylvania, and in 1857 came to Marshall County. The father was in the Canadian War in 1838, but was banished and so came to Ohio. He was a state prisoner in Canada for high treason. He died at the age of sixty-eight, while his good wife survived him a number of years. Mrs. Evans is one of six children. Five children came to bless this happy union: Maud L., Grace I., Homer M., Thomas L., and Earl, who died when twenty-two months old. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Thomas, and her father was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812 with General Wayne.

After his marriage until the year 1881, our subject worked the farm he had purchased in the year 1867. He then rented it and moved to Beaman, here opening a lumber and coal business, and also engaging to some extent in buying and selling stock. This was the first business of the kind in the city, and hence was a prosperous investment. He still owns it, and is devoting all of his time to it. He is a stanch and true Republican, and is ever ready to help push forward any good work. In 1889 he was elected to the honorable office of Mayor of his city, and has been the incumbent of the same for four consecutive terms. He was Township Clerk and Assessor of Vienna Township, Marshall County, for seven years while residing in that county. Grundy Lodge No. 467, I. O. O. F., claims him as one of its leading members.

On the 11th of August, 1863, the name of Martin V. B. Evans was enrolled in Company I, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He was captured by the enemy and thrown into Andersonville Prison, where he remained six weeks. He was not parolled until the close of the war, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged at Clinton, Iowa, May 29, 1865. He was in other prisons beside this noted one, and escaped from Florence Prison the night after he arrived there. Three weeks afterward he was recaptured and was then taken to Salisbury, N. C. From there he was parolled and sent to Wilmington, N. C., from which place he was sent home on a furlough. He is a member of the National Association of the Survivors of Andersonville Prison, and is a charter member of Andersonville Post No. 155, G. A. R., at Beaman, of which he has been Commander and is now Adjutant. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are attendants and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and hold the high regard and respect of their fellow-citizens.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894