John Z. Evans

EVANS, ROBERTS, BENNETT, MONTGOMERY

Posted By: Mary Ellen (email)
Date: 8/26/2009 at 16:12:20

JOHN Z. EVANS

There can be nothing better calculated to stimulate the best endeavors of the young of future generations than a perusal of the life history of the self-made men of the nineteenth century. An analysis of their careers will illustrate most forcibly to intelligent readers that success in life is attained only through the possession and cultivation of fundamentally good principles, among which honesty, perseverance, firmness of purpose and ambition to rise must be foremost, and co- existent with them good judgment of human nature and a ready faculty for grasping the opportunities of the present and of looking intelligently toward those of the future. Such characteristics are possessed by the gentleman whose name begins this review, and have brought to him a well merited prosperity.

Mr. Evans, now a coal-mine operator and merchant of Avery, was born August 24, 1854, in southern Wales, and is a son of Christmas and Emily (Edwards) Evans. His father was born December 25, 1829, in southern Wales, where he followed coal-mining until his emigration to America in 1863. He located in Pomeroy, Ohio, where he followed coal-mining until 1866, when he became a resident of Mahaska county, Iowa. A few years later he located in Avery, where his death occurred, February 6, 1895. His wife, who was born in England, March 27, 1833, is still living, in Avery. They had a large family of children, namely: William M.; John Z.; Henry, who died in childhood; Enoch H.; Christmas, who died in infancy; Thomas L.; Mary A.; Emily, who died in childhood; Charlotte; and one who died in infancy.

When a child of nine years John Z. Evans accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, and began to earn his own living by working in the coal mines of Pomeroy, Ohio. All that he has, has been acquired through his own efforts. He continued his residence in the Buckeye State until October, 1866, when he came to Iowa. In 1886 he became part owner of the Smoky Hollow Coal Mine, two miles southeast of Avery, and since 1887 has been sole proprietor. Its yield is about 1,000 tons of lump coal each day, and he is therefore doing an immense business, supplying various railroad companies with coal through Iowa and Nebraska. He has also entered other fields of labor, and now owns considerable property in Monroe county, including two stores, one in Avery and one at the coal mines. He has accumulated considerable property, and is a thoroughgoing business man, intensely practical and energetic.

On the 30th of October, 1872, Mr. Evans married Miss Sarah E. Roberts, who was born in Chenango county, New York, August 29, 1851. Her Parents were E. E. and Mary (Bennett) Roberts, and their family numbered the following named: George F.; Sarah E.; James R.; William, who died at the age of one year; Prudence A.; one who died in infancy; and Thomas F. Our subject and his wife have had the following named children: Edward T., born January 23, 1874, married Miss Ida Montgomery, a native of Iowa, and they have one child. William J.,, who was born April 10, 1876. James E., born October 27, 1877, died April 27, 1879. Emma R., born January 4,, 1880; John G., March 5, 1881; Edna M., October 15, 1883; and Harry F., born January 27, 1884, are all at home. The next two children died at birth. Lena V., born July 12, 1892, completes the family.

Mr. Evans is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen, devoted to the welfare and best interests of the community in which he resides. He withholds his aid and co-operation from no worthy enterprises, and brings to bear upon public affairs the same practical and enterprising spirit which has gained him his success in his business.