Evans, Joseph S. (1848-1928)

EVANS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/15/2019 at 13:08:20

Joseph S. Evans
July 4, 1848 - Nov 16, 1928

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.682]
JOSEPH EVANS, residing on section 6, Garner Township, is a well known settler of Pottawattamie County. He came to this country in 1856, where he has since made his home. He was born in Wales, July 4, 1848, the son of Evan and Mary (James) Evans, both natives of Wales. The parents reared a family of three children: David Evans, residing in Vail, Crawford County; John, residing in Garner Township; and Joseph, our subject. The father lived in this country until his death, which occurred in 1865, and the mother now lives in a house adjoining her son, Joseph, at the age of seventy five years. She was again married in 1866 to F. D. Piddington, who was born in England, and died in October 1888. She is a member of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints. Her first husband was an elder in the Mormon Church, but later belonged to the Latter Day Saints.

Joseph Evans, our subject, was a lad of nine years when his parents sailed from Liverpool to New York, then came to Iowa City and from there by hand-carts to Council Bluffs. He received his education in Pottawattamie County, and was reared to farm life. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was married in Council Bluffs on October 26, 1866, to Miss Jane Reese, who was born in Wales, the daughter of John and Mary (Davis) Reese. She came to Ohio when a girl of twelve years. The parents came to Pottawattamie County about 1856. The father lived in Council Bluffs until his death in 1875, and the mother died in Garner Township in 1886. Mrs. Evans has one sister in Garner Township, Sarah, the wife of John Evans; and one in Salt Lake, Anna, wife of James Obint. Mr. Evans settled on his present farm in 1878 when it was wild land, but which he has since improved. He now owns sixty-six acres of land, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Evans is a Democrat politically, and is one of the enterprising and respected citizens of this county. Mr. And Mrs. Evans have five children, viz.: William, David, Rosa, Candace and Minnie J. They have lost seven by death in childhood.

Note to ROOSA researchers: This surname, while spelled ROSSA in the 1891 book, is actually ROOSA. Arie Roosa was an early settler in Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co., NY, and was granted a land patent there in 1688, along with Gerret Aertsen Van Wagenen, Jan Elton, Hendrick Kip, and Jacob Kip, all then residents of Ulster County. More information on these early Holland Dutch settlers is found in the book Dutch Houses In The Hudson Valley Before 1776, by Helen Wilkinson Reynolds, pub. 1929. Also see Hazel Dell Cemetery burials for this family.