Evans, James

EVANS, FARMER, GREGSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/3/2009 at 12:47:48

Washington Township
The Early Settlers
Grinnell (IA) Herald; Oct. 25, 1901

JAMES EVANS

Our subject is another one of the old soldiers and prominent citizens of Washington township. He was born in Green county, Ohio, March 3, 1836. There he resided until eighteen years of age and then came to Poweshiek county, locating near Forest Home. In 1867 he married Anna E. Farmer and settled on the place where he now resides. Their family consists of five children: the sons, Ervin L., Jesse, Edward and Frank, and one daughter, Mrs. M.M. Gregson, all residents of the county. Mr. Evans owns a farm of 160 acres and it is one of the best in the south part of the township, the improvements being the work of his own hands. His father, William Evans, came to the county in 1854 and was a well known and respected citizen of the county for twenty-five years.

James Evans enlisted in Co.C, 28th Iowa, July 28th, 1862. The history of the 28th Iowa is well known to all, but that history does not give the life of James Evans. He was sick at the time his company was winning laurels at Vicksburg and was then taken prisoner at Sabine Cross Roads, and at Tyler, Texas, he was imprisoned for thirteen months. He was in the hospital at Memphis and also served as nurse at the hospital and at this time was absent from his regiment for five months. He joined his company during the Red River campaign, but throughout his entire service was not in any battles. Near the close of the war he was at New Orleans and St. Louis and came to Davenport, where he was discharged July 5, 1865. He did not win honors on the field of battle, but it was his lot to serve his country while being confined in the hands of the enemy and to perform his duties as nurse. Whatever was his lot he was a faithful soldier and discharged his duties with honor to himself and his country.