Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 546

HON. W. C. EVANS, of West Liberty, is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born in 1822. His father, Simon Evans, was of Scotch-Irish descent, while his mother, Polly Evans, whose maiden name was Kelly, was of Irish descent. His paternal grandfather, John Evans, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and his maternal grandfather was also a soldier in the war for independence. In 1833 the family moved to Geauga County, Ohio, where Simeon Evans purchased a farm, and where they lived for many years. On this farm our subject grew to manhood, receiving the benefits of the district schools, while assisting in the farm work. His father being of limited means could afford him no material assistance on reaching his majority, so he was compelled to make his way in the world as best he could. In the fall of 1842 he went to Illinois, and in that State and Wisconsin he spent one year in lumbering and rafting. Going to Boone Co., Ill., he spent the next year, and was there taken sick with fever, and in November, 1844, returned to Ohio. Feeling the necessity of securing a better education, he entered the Western Reserve Teacher's Seminary and remained one quarter. He then went to work at anything he could get to do, accumulating money enough to keep him while attending one term of High School at Mountville, Ohio, the under charge of Gen. Leggett. He then engaged in the nursery business and from 1847 to 1851 he traveled through the States of Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia, selling fruit trees, being reasonably successful in the enterprise.

In the fall of 1851 our subject emigrated to Rock Island County, Ill., and settled in Port Byron, where he engaged in merchandising and milling for the next five years. In the spring on 1856 he came to Iowa, locating in Wapsinonoc Township, where he purchased a fourth interest in 300 acres of land on which the town of West Liberty was laid out. For several years he represented the company at this place, finally purchasing all town lots remaining unsold. To the original town plat he subsequently laid out two additions. All lots were sold subject to a condition that no intoxicating liquors should be sold on the premises by the purchaser. Hence West Liberty has always been a prohibition town, its citizens not only being law-abiding, but law-enforcing people.

On laying out the town Mr. Evans engaged in the lumber trade, being the first man to establish that business in the place. However, he did not long remain in that line, but in the fall of 1866 moved to a farm, where he engaged in stock-raising, feeding and shipping, making a specialty of breeding Short-horn cattle. In the organization of the first bank in West Liberty, he was interested, being a stock-holder, and one of its first directors, giving to its management only such time as he could spare from his farm work. In 1883 he sold the farm and moved into the city, since which time he has lived a retired life.

While yet residing at Port Byron, Ill., Mr. Evans returned to Ohio, and on the 15th of September, 1852, married Mary A. Winslow, a daughter of John Winslow. She was a native of Ohio, but of old Puritan stock, a descendant of the Winslow family of Revolutionary fame. By this time eight children were born : Lucy, a teacher in the public schools of Moline, Ill.; Willma A., wife of W. H. Shipman, of West Liberty ; Charles C., of Sheridan County, Kan.; Warren A., County Clerk and Recorder of Johnson County, Wyo.; Hugh S., Deputy County Clerk of Johnson County, Wyo.; Ella M., wife of Grant Nichols. of West Liberty ; Sarah R. and Ray W., at home.

In early life Mr. Evans was, politically, a Whig, and was a great admirer of Henry Clay, whom he regarded as one of the greatest statesman of his day. When the Whig party ceased to exist, and upon its ruins rose the National Republican party, he allied himself with it, and with it has since continued to act. While not among the seekers after office, he has been honored by his fellow-citizens, and served them in various local offices. He was Justice of the Peace for some years, a member of the County Board of Supervisors for several years, and in 1869 was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Thirteenth General Assembly, and re-elected in 1871, serving in the Fourteenth General Assembly. In the year 1875 he was nominated for the State Senate, but owing to the Grange movement which spread like wildfire through Iowa and all the Northwestern States he was defeated. When nominated to the House, for the Fourteenth General Assembly, he had no opposition in his own party. While a member of the Legislature he was elected by that body a Trustee for the term of six years of the Insane Hospital at Mt. Pleasant. During this time he was instrumental in securing the appointment of a lady physician at the hospital. In the dark days of the Civil War he was appointed by the Governor as one of the Commissioners to superintend the draft.

Mr. Evans has always taken a lively interest in the educational institutions of the place, and for many years was an active member of the School Board, and the success of the present splendid schools of the city is largely due to his efforts. No part of his public career has been conducive of as much pleasure and satisfaction as his labors in behalf of the public schools.

Since his settlement in Iowa Mr. Evans has led an active life, and no man has been more closely identified with the interests of his own town and county than he has. Always ready to serve the people whenever called upon , he has discharged every duty faithfully and well, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. It is with pleasure that we present this brief record of his life to the readers of the album.


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