EVANS, Hesekiah - Putnam

Hesekiah EVANS was one of the old and greatly esteemed pioneers of Putnam County who has now passed on to the undiscovered mystic land, leaving behind a priceless heritage, the memory of good deeds and an exemplary life, for he was a type of man seldom met with now - sterling, rugged, honest and hard working, kind to his neighbors and hospitable alike to friends and strangers. The first one of the Evans family of which there is any authentic record was Thomas Evans, Sr, great great great grandfather of Simpson F. Evans, born at Delornes, Wales, about 1662 and died Dec 1756 at age 94. He married Sarah Martha Elizabeth Roberts at Philadelphia in 1730 and she died in PA June 1, 1803 at age 111. Thomas Evans, Jr. their son was born in PA in 1739. He ran away from home and joined the army under Col. George Washington and fought under him in the French and Indian Wars. He served during the whole Revolutionary struggle, 1776-1783. He died in Ky in 1825. He was married in 1762 to Sarah Clark, born March 1, 1743 and died at Russellville, Indiana June 5, 1834. Rev. John Evans, their son born Oct 25, 1763 died at Russellville July 2, 1841, aged 78. He was marrie din KY to Susanah Prater who was born in 1766 died at Russellville Oct 25, 1831.

James Evans their son was born June 1, 1797 in Bath Co KY and died Aug 22, 1878 aged 81. He was married Feb 14, 1822 to Ruth Vanschoiack, born in Nicholas County, Ky Sept 21, 1802 died March 24, 1867. Hesekiah Evans was the son of James Evans and Ruth Vanschoiack. He was born Jan 18, 1826 and received a limited education in the private schools of his day, coming to Putnam county when a young man. Here he met and on April 19, 1858 married Hannah M. Pratt who was born Sept 9, 1837; she too came to this county with her paernts, when young in 1827 (sic). James Evans bought land in Sec 6 he and mr. Forgy buying a tract of 320 acres in one body, diving the same between them, it being agreed in the division that the last half was the better and and to make an equal division, the west half was to contain 167 and 1/2 and the east half 152 and 1/2 acres. Tossing coppers for choice, Mr. Evans secured the first pick of land and chose the east side. On this he erected a log cabin, cleared the land and began farming which he followed all his life in connection with stock raising, being one of the best known stock men of his day. He was a breeder of fine horses, keeping the best in his neighborhood. Politically he was a Republican and he and his wife were both members of the Methodist Church for a period of 60 years. He died at age 81, falling dea on the fair grounds which he had leased from a neighbor for the purpose of holding fairs. He and his wife were the parents of 7 children, 5 boys, 2 girls; it was a coincidence that the two previous generations of his ancestors had families of 5 boys and two girls making the same in numbers for 3 succeeding generations. The father was reared to manhood on the farm and attended the common schools of his day. His wife was the daughter of Austin Pratt of Parke County, Indiana and she and Mr. Evans began their married life on a farm in Brown Twp, Montgomery County on 160 acres which Mr. Evans purchased. The father and sons worked together, helping each other until each son had his own farm. Hesekiah Evans later added 100 acres to his place, owning 260 acres when his father died. He and his brother Daniel bought the heirs out and later the father bought the interest of his brother and gave his attention to the feeding of shorthorn cattle. He showed them at the county fairs and took a number of premiums. Mr. Evans reached the advanced age of 81 retaining his active faculties to the last, dying May 8, 1907 and was buried in the Russellville Cemetery. His widow makes her home among her children. They are: James W. born Feb 22, 1863 married Lena Summers and have the following children: Harold; John; Howard and Vernon, the last named deceased; Henry G, born June 30, 1864 married Florence Allen and they have two children, Lee and Josephine; Simpson F., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.