Evans, John A.

EVANS, FIELDS, JOHNSTON, MELDREM, LINEWEAVER, ALLEN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 15:55:43

History of Poweshiek Co. Iowa (1911)

JOHN A. EVANS

The farming interests of Scott township and Poweshiek county are well represented by John A. Evans, who cultivates a tract of four hundred acres. He has always been identified with the interests of this section, for his birth occurred on a farm about five miles south of Montezuma, June 29, 1857. He is a son of Daniel John and Jane (Fields) Evans, the former born in Greene county, Ohio, November 12, 1818, a son of George Evans, who was born in Wales and emigrated to the United States in an early day, making a permanent location in Ohio, where he passed away. His son, Daniel J., was reared in the Buckeye state and was there married. In the fall of 1852 he removed to the middle west, locating in Mahaska county, Iowa, but after a brief stay of two or three years there he continued his journey to Poweshiek county and here engaged in farming. With him and his family also came two brothers and a sister. Mr. Evans was married twice ere coming to Poweshiek county and by his first union he had two sons but the younger is deceased, the other being N.G., of Thornburg, Nebraska. After the death of his first wife, he wedded Miss Jane Fields, who was likewise born in Greene county, Ohio, in May, 1820. Her death occurred in Scott township, this county, in May, 1872, when she was fifty-two years of age. She was the mother of nine children: Alfred A., of O'Brien county, Iowa; Mary E., the wife of Robert R. Johnston, a resident of South Dakota; C.G., who makes his home in Montezuma; John A., of this review; Aseneth, the wife of Samuel Meldrem, a resident of Brooklyn; Alanson, deceased; and three who died in infancy. The father was actively connected with farming interests in Poweshiek county until about four years ago, when he removed to Brooklyn, where he has since made his home.

John A. Evans was reared to farm life, assisting in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, while in the winter season he attended the district schools near his father's home. When starting out upon an independent business venture he chose as his work the occupation to which he had been reared. He began with eighty acres which he purchased but he afterward sold this and bought his present place, which comprises four hundred acres, situated on sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, Scott township, all in one body. On the place are two sets of good buildings, while the fields are under a high state of cultivation and annually yield bounteous harvests. Mr. Evans is progressive in his methods of farm work and is every ready to adopt any measures along agricultural lines that he believes will prove of benefit.

Mr. Evans was married October 4, 1888, to Miss Sarah E. Lineweaver, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 4, 1872, a daughter of C.B. Lineweaver, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Their marriage has been blessed by two sons and a daughter: Earl L.; Elsie May, the wife of Henry Allen, a resident of Scott township; and Allen Ray.

Mr. Evans is a democrat in his political views and affiliations, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He is well known throughout Poweshiek county and has a reputation for fair and honorable dealing surpassed by no man in this community. Considerate and thoughtful, his life is that of a man who practices what he preaches to others and he is leaving a name that will be an honor to his family.