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REV. THOMAS W. EVANS, residing on section 5, Columbus City Township, was born in Cardigan, Wales, Dec. 21, 1816, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Hedley) Evans, who were also natives of that country. The paternal grandfather, William Evans, was in the war between England and France, and probably participated in the battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was finally overthrown. He was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in Wales. The father of our subject was a groom, and died in his native land, in 1836. The mother died in Newark, Ohio, Sept. 31, 1865, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. They were both members of the Con- . . .
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. . . gregational Church, and eight children were born unto them: Evan, who died in Newark, Ohio, March 21, 1849, when thirty-six years of age, was a wagon-maker by trade; Maria is the wife of a Mr. Jones, of Pleasant Grove Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa; Thomas is the third in order of birth; Margaret died in Wales, at the age of twelve years; Lewis is now living an Danville, Des Moines County; Benjamin, a tanner by trade is now living in Newark, Ohio; Elizabeth is the wife of Daniel Thomas, also of Newark; William is engaged in the lumber business in Newark.
In 1841 our subject left his native land and emigrated to America, landing in this country in July. Taking up his residence in Newark, Ohio, he there attended school for three years, and on the 2d of October, 1846, was ordained as a minister in the Welsh Congregational Church. He took charge of the church at Newark, and continued his pastoral duties at that place until March, 1856, when he emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa. He had received a call from the Zion Church, in Columbus City Township, also from the Flint Creek Church, in Des Moines County, and he took charge of both churches, remaining the pastor of both for five years, when he gave up the Zion Church and continued his duties as pastor of the Flint Creek Church for fourteen years. In 1863 he removed to Des Moines County, where he resided for seven years, and in 1870 returned to Louisa County, and took up his residence on section 5 of Columbus City Township, where he still makes his home. His farm comprises 252 ½ acres of well-cultivated land, upon which has been built a splendid residence.
On the 5th of May, 1858, Rev. Evans and Sarah E. Jones, a native of Wales, were united in marriage. To them was born a family of seven children, four of whom are now living: Evan A., who is engaged in farming; Jennie, Margaret E. and Stella R., all at home. Thomas, William S. and Robert E. died in infancy. On the 4th of March, 1886, Mrs. Evans was called to her last rest. She was a native of North Wales, and a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Owens) Jones, who were natives of Wales, and emigrated to America in 1845, settling in Yellow Springs Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa, where the death of both occurred. Mrs. Evans was a member of the Congregational Church, and a consistent Christian until her death. Mr. Evans has labored earnestly and faithfully for the cause which he advocates, and his honest, upright life is well worthy of emulation.
A portrait of this worthy Christian gentleman accompanies this sketch.
