Henry Levi Evans (1909)

EVANS, ATKINSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 2/17/2006 at 14:55:39

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 8, 1909
Page 1

Henry Evans was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, May 22, 1834, and died April 3, 1909. He moved with his parents in October, 1835, to Platt county, Missouri, and when he was thirteen years of age he came to Madison county, Iowa, where he has made his home ever since except a few years in Kansas when that territory opened up for settlement.

He was married Dec. 28, 1854, just after going to Kansas, to Mary E. Atkinson. To this union eleven children were born, one dying in infancy. Ten are still living, but some of them in other states. The funeral occurred Sunday and interment was made in the Baptist cemetery, north of town.
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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 8, 1909
Page 1

Henry Evans, one of the very early settlers of Madison county, passed away on Saturday, April 3d, at the home of his son, John Evans, near Winterset, after a long illness. He was born in Lawrence county, Indiana May 22, 1834. When a boy, he moved, with his parents to Missouri and in the year 1847 came to this county, his father locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Kinney, in Union township. At that time, 60 years ago, there were but a few families in Madison county, Hiram Hurst having located here only the year previous.

He was married December 28, 1854 to Mary E. Adkinson, who with ten children, survives the husband and father. For many years, he lived at the Backbone Mill on Middle River, removing to the home of his son when overtaken with his last illness.

Burial service was held at the old Baptist cemetery, north of Winterset on Sunday.

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Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, April 9, 1909
Page 1, Column 1

HENRY EVANS DIES ON HOME FARM

One of Madison's First Settlers Succumbs to Heart Disease.

Came to county in 1847.

Unique Character, Staunch Democrat, Fervent Populist and Ardent Republican and Socialist. Had Own Views on Religion. He Was Abolitionist. Relatives Were Kansas Men. No Funeral Services.

Henry Evans, who came to Madison county in 1847, following Caleb Clark and Philip Boyles, died on his old homestead on Middle River, two miles southeast of Winterset on Friday night. The funeral was held from the house Sunday.

Henry Evans was a unique character. He came to Madison county with his parents who moved later to Kansas leaving all their children here. He homesteaded the farm on which he died, and which his son, John Evans, now owns.

He was a lover of horses, and until a few years ago maintained on his farms a private track either for running or harness horses. The running races on the Evans tract near Compton's mill, later Buffalo, and now obsolete, were prominent events in the early history of the county.

Henry Evans was an outspoken man. He cared little for the opinions of others. He had his own opinions on everything. There were no funeral services at the home on account of his religious views.

He also owned the Backbone mill, which he traded to John Holloway for Dakota property.

Politically, he was a democrat, a republican, a populist and a socialist.

Ten children survive him, four of whom live in this county. His wife, from whom he was divorce many years ago, was present at the funeral.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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