Daniel Webster EVANS, owning a farm on section 4, Trenton township, but residing in the village of Trenton, was born in this township, September 6, 1859, and is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families. His parents were Evan and Ann (WILLIAMS) EVANS, both of whom were natives of Wales and the latter was a daughter of Hopkins and Annie WILLIAMS. Mr. and Mrs. Evan EVANS became early residents of Jefferson township, Henry county, driving across the country with ox teams from New York in 1836. It was a long, slow, and tedious journey and at night they camped out along the roadside and in the day time covered a few miles. At length, however, they reached their destination and Mr. Evans purchased land, becoming the owner of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Jefferson township, of which the remainder was prairie. The entire tract was unimproved, but he began its cultivation and development. He was a great trader and owned considerable land in Jefferson township which he afterward traded for eighty acres in Ringgold county, Iowa, that he subsequently sold. He removed from his farm to Wayland in 1894, and there died in 1896. His wife still survives him and yet makes her home in Wayland. In their family were four sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are yet living.

Daniel W. EVANS, the fifth in order of birth, resided with his parents until seventeen years of age, after which he went to live with his sister, Mrs. S. J. TILGER, about three-fourts of a mile east of Trenton. He acquired his education in the common schools and on starting out in life on his own account he began the operation of the old home farm, which he cultivated for a year. He then married Miss Ella COOK, who was born in Trenton township and had been a student in the public schools. Her parents were James and Maria (WATEMAN) COOK, natives of Ohio, who came to this county about 1850. Unto Mr. and Mrs. EVANS was born one son, Harry Glenn, who was born September 5, 1887, and pursued his education in the common schools, in Howe's Academy, at Mount Pleasant, and in the Wayland high school, which he attended for eighteen months. He then became ill with scarlet fever which developed into brain fever and he lived for only forty-seven hours after being taken ill, passing away December 1, 1904, his remains being interred in Green Mound cemetery, at Trenton. His death came as an almost unbearable blow to his devoted parents.

It was on the 18th of February, 1882, that Mr. and Mrs. EVANS were married and they immediately afterward began housekeeping on a tract of land of forty acres west of Trenton, which Mr. EVANS had previously purchased. It was prairie land and was all well improved. For sixteen years he made his home thereon, and then sold that property and bought eighty acres adjoining his old home place, at the southwest corner of section 4, Trenton township. Here he built a new barn twenty by thirty-two feet with a shed for the horses, twelve by thirty-two feet. It is the largest barn in the community and is a monument to the progressive spirit and practical methods of the owner. He has also improved his house, has put up a windmill and corn crib and now has a valuable farm equipped with all modern conveniences. He uses the latest improved machinery in the care of his fields and everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating his careful supervision. He has always engaged in the tilling of the soil and each year harvests good crops. He also raises cattle and Chester White hogs, having about forty head of the latter. He lived upon his farm until the death of his son, when his wife's health, through her sorrow, became so impaired that they removed from the farm to Trenton, where they have resided since the 1 st of October, 1905. Their only son was a young man of lovable disposition, often acting as peacemaker among his school associates and his kindly nature and genial temperament won him the love and esteem of all who knew him. To his parents he displayed most filial attachment and his death came as a crushing blow to them.

Both Mr. and Mrs. EVANS are members of the Church of God and in his political affiliation he is a republican. For six years he served as school director, but otherwise has held no public office, giving his time and attention to his business affairs. Both he and his wife are held in high esteem and have a very large circle of warm friends in their community.

SOURCE:  Biographical Review of Henry County, Iowa  Vol. 2  Hobart Publ. Co. Chicago. 1906.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2008