Evan Evans

Evan Evans

The subject of this sketch is the third of a family of eight sons. His father was of Welsh descent, his mother of pure Irish. David Evans, his father, was born in Virginia, 1772, and his mother Susanna Evans, a few years later. Of his seven brothers but one, Samuel, survives. Evan Evans was born August 15, 1801, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and with his parents moved to the valley of Scioto, in Southern Ohio, in 1804. Here, under the supervision of his father, he and his brothers were taught a lesson in pioneer life which proved beneficial in his later migrations. Miss Jane Bell, who had emigrated from Ireland at the age of three, won his affections, and in 1826 they were united in marriage. He is the father of six children, four boys and two girls, three of whom are living: Jonathan, in Northwestern Kansas, stockman; Margaret Jane, residence Lebanon, Ind.; and Thomas B., who lives on the old homestead.

Two years after his marriage he removed to Wayne County, Ind., where he resided for ten years, engaged in farming and milling; but at the end of that time he sold his little farm of thirty-three acres, and again started west. With an ox team he brought his few household effects and drove before him eighteen head of cattle and one horse. Following the old Indian trail which led to Thorntown, he struck the Forty Mile Swamp, and after ten days' hard travel he reached Boone County, Ind. On his way he passed through the old Indian Reserve, and viewed the stake at which the Indians burned the whites who had been so unfortunate as to fall within their vengeance.

He entered a section of land in the northeastern part of Center Township, and afterward bought 120 acres more, making in all 760 acres.

There being no market for eastern manufactured goods near he was compelled to make his own clothing from flax, and foot gear from leather which he had himself tanned. His food was principally hominy and wild meat, the latter being procured by the aid of the flintlock. To procure his flour and meal during the dry season of the year he was compelled to go to Indianapolis or Lafayette, but having too much ingenuity to bear this burden he erected, in 1838, a hand or sweat mill as it was then called, making the burrs from rock commonly called by Hoosiers, "niggerheads." After eleven days of faithful labor he had a grist mill, the capacity of which was about five bushels per day. The burrs are now on exhibition at T. B. Evans'. But,

"Into our lives some rain must fall,
Some days be dark and dreary,"

And on the 9th day of July, 1876, his true and noble help-meet left him, with nothing to lean upon but the rock which has been a pillar to him since 1840. He now resides with his son, Thomas B. Evans, at the old homestead, and if you want a sketch of pioneer life you will find him equal to the task of giving it.
 

Source: Harden, Samuel, "Early Life and Times in Boone County, Indiana," Published: Indianapolis, Ind., Printed by Carlon & Hollenbeck, 1887.

Submitted by: T. Stover - March 26, 2007
"I'm interested in corresponding with anyone researching the Evans families in Boone County, Indiana."