Even, Michael, 1864-1940

EVEN, GILLEN, HINTGEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/23/2021 at 21:20:40

Born: August 24, 1864
Died: January 9, 1940

From the Sioux County Capital, January 18, 1940:

Michael Even, a citizen of Alton since 1901 died Jan. 9 after an illness since last spring. Mr. Even was confined to bed since Nov. 17th in the care of his daughter Mrs. Meylor of Hawarden who is a trained nurse. Mr. Even was born near St. Donates, Iowa on August 24, 1865, and was 75 years and five months of age at the time of his death. On April 10th, 1888 he was married to Miss Mary Gillen at Hartford, S.D. and the couple lived for thirteen years on a farm near Humboldt. In 1901 Mr. Even bought the dray line from Henry Pins and moved to Alton. Later he brought the livery barn which he operated in connection with the dray line.

Mr. Even is survived by his widow and seven children, Frank of Sioux Falls; Mrs. P. J. Hansen of Alton; J. T. Even of Alton; Miss Tillie and Ed J. all of Alton; Mrs. Ray Sudtelgte of Remsen and Mrs. Cliff Meylor of Hawarden, one sister, Mrs. N. C. Martin of Alton and eighteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday morning in St. Mary’s church with Reverend Neppel officiating.

Among those who attended the funeral from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Even and family of Sioux Falls, Amos Klein and daughter of Howard, S.D. and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Even, Jr., of Sioux City, Mrs. Forkenbroek of Adrian, Minn. and Mrs. Kate Even and son Ira of Minneapolis.

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From the Alton Democrat, January 12, 1940:

WELL KNOWN ALTON CITIZEN PASSES ON
MIKE EVEN A RESIDENT SINCE 1901
Was Chief Of Fire Department For Many Years

Michael John Even, prominent Alton citizen, passed on at his home Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 9th, at 3:30 o’clock after an illness of several months. He had been confined to bed since Nov. 17th in the care of his daughter, Mrs. Cliff. Meylor of Hawarden, who as a trained nurse has devoted her entire time to her father since he became bedfast. He remained conscious to the last and recognized the members of his family.

Mr. Even was born near St. Donatus, Iowa, on August 24, 1865, and was 75 years and five months of age at the time of his death. He was one of the twelve children of Mathias and Anna Hintgen Even, natives of the province of Luxemburg. He came from a sturdy stock of immigrant pioneers who had crossed the Mississippi to make their home in the new west country. The simplicity and sincerity of his pioneer parents were passed on to the son, whose life was one of devotion to his family and community. The pioneer instinct was another legacy, for in 1886 he moved westward to Hartford, South Dakota, where he homesteaded a farm.

Married Miss Gillen

On April 10th, 1888 he married Miss Mary Gilen at Hartford, S.D., and the couple lived for thirteen years on the farm at Humboldt, then moved to Alton where Mr. Even purchased the dray line from Henry Pins. As his business developed he bought the Alton livery barn which he operated until it burned. Later he built another livery barn on the north side of town, across the street from the Alton Cement works. This barn also burned, but it had then passed from his possession to that of Theo. Wagner.

Mr. Even is survived by his wife and seven children: Frank of Sioux Falls; Mrs. P. J. Hansen, J. T. Even, Miss Tillie and Ed J. all of Alton; Mrs. Ray Sudtelgte of Remsen and Mrs. Cliff. Meylor of Hawarden. One sister, Mrs. N. O. Martin, youngest of the family of twelve, is the only surviving member. Mr. Even is also survived by eighteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Fire Chief Many Years

For twenty-five years he served as fire chief of the Alton Fire Co., and at his resignation his son J. T. (Matty) was elected chief. When the latter went to France with the American Expeditionary Army during the World war, Mr. Even again took over the duties of chief until his son returned.

With three of his sons crack baseball players, Mr. Even was keenly interested in this sport and was never missing from his customary place in the grandstand when Alton had a home game. This was practically his only diversion and his life was an exemplary one, with his home and family first in his affections. Of late years he retired from active business and devoted his time to his family. Usually a small grandchild or two were with him and a mutual bond of affection was evident.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning at nine o’clock at St. Mary’s church with the Very Rev. Neppel in charge.

[The Alton Democrat of January 19, 1940, has a very long list of out-of-town friends and relatives who attended his funeral.]

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From the Alton Democrat, January 19, 1940: Editorial

The passing of Mike Even affects all of us—who have lived in Alton for any length of time—deeply. He came here long before the present automobile era. His livery barn establishment was one of the best in this section of the state, efficiently operated to give the maximum of service.

He once described the long winter of 1880 to the writer so graphically that we have ever since understood something of what the residents of this state went through at that time….

Mike Even was such a stalwart man and his strength so resourceful if there was something heavy to be moved that his feats were almost legendary. Moving a piano or other heavy object seemed to be child’s play when he took over the job. He rendered yeoman service in the fire company for many years—no matter how bitter cold the weather he was on the job. His red Rambler automobile was the first car for hire in this section of the county.

Mr. Even was a remarkable man and a tremendous asset to the Alton community. When truck freighting became so cheap that the railroads lost their local freight business, his draying operations were curtailed more and more each year and as far as deliveries from the depot up town were concerned finally ceased entirely. He did not feel young enough to go into long distance freight hauling with new equipment.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has Michael John Even, born August 24, 1864 (1865 crossed out) at St. Donatus, Iowa; parents Mathias Even and Anna Hintgen, both born in Luxemberg; resident of Alton 39 years; occupation drayman; husband of Mary Gillen; informant Ottilia A. Even, Alton; died at 3:00 p.m. January 9, 1940; cause, carcinoma of stomach, duration 8 months.

His FindaGrave.com page also has his birth date as 24 August 1864, with a photo of his and Mary’s joint headstone showing his birth year as 1864.