Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 549

HON. P. R. EVANS, dealer in grain and agricultural implements, of West Liberty, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1824, and is the son of Edward and Christina ( Cole ) Evans, both of whom were natives of New York, the mother being of German descent. His mother died when he was but fourteen months old, and in 1868 his father came to this county, where he died in 1872, at the age of seventy-two years.

On the death of his mother our subject was taken by an uncle,John Evans, by whom he was reared. In 1835, when but eleven years of age, he went with his uncle to Geauga County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, assisting in clearing and improving a farm in the heavy timber, and having only the privileges of the common school. The limited opportunities for securing an education have been improved in after life by reading and contact with men, giving him a knowledge of the world which cannot be secured in school.

In 1850 our subject married Miss Martha J. Howell, a native of New York, and a daughter of John Howell, who migrated to Ohio at an early day. Two children have blessed their union : Frank, who has an interest in his father's business, and Jennie, now the wife of I. R. Elliott, of this county. After his marriage Mr. Evans engaged in farming in Ohio until 1860, when, believing he could better himself in doing so, he migrated to Iowa, locating first in Iowa City, where he remained until 1862. He then removed to West Liberty, where he has since continued to reside. On coming to this city he engaged in the grocery business, under the name of Barnes & Evans, having as a partner H. Z. Barnes. This partnership continued three years, when Mr. Evans sold out, and entered into partnership with W. R. Childs in the grain and agricultural implement business, under the firm name of Evans & Childs. In 1867 George P. Nichols was admitted into the firn, which assumed the name of Evans, Childs & Co, This connection continued five years, when Mr. Nichols died, and his brother Andrew Nichols, succeeded to his interest, the firm name remaining the same. In 1884 Mr. Evans purchased his partner's interest, since which time he has continued alone, having large business, carrying a complete line of farm machinery, seeds, etc., engaged meanwhile in buying and shipping grain.

While giving close attention to business our subject is not unmindful of his duties as a citizen, and has been honored by his fellow-citizens with a number of local offices, all of which he has filled to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has held the offices of Township Trustee, Mayor of the City, and in 1888 was a member of the Board of County Supervisors, and although not elected ran far ahead of his party ticket, and was renominated for the same office. He is also a member of the Town Council of West Liberty. Politically he is a Republican, and an earnest advocate of the principles of the party, having been a member since its organization. He is a Director in the Peoples Bank at West Liberty.

Socially Mr. Evans is connected with the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities. In the former he is a member of the Liberty Lodge No. 190, and in the latter of Calvary Lodge No.95, A.F.&.A.M., and in Liberty Chapter No.79, R.A.M., and also a member of De Molay Commandery No.1 of Muscatine. He is the Treasurer of both the Blue Lodge and Chapter. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church at West Liberty, and in the work of the organization manifests much interest. While not numbered among the pioneers of Muscatine County few men are better known, and none more highly respected than P. R. Evans. Having the welfare of the adopted city and county at heart he works for their interest, giving much of his time to matters of public importance.


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