BIOGRAPHY: Alvin EVANS, Cambria County, PA
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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 154-5
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ALVIN EVANS, a talented, well-known and leading attorney-at-law of Ebensburg, is
a son of David J. and Jane Ann (Jones) Evans, and was born in Ebensburg, the
county seat of Cambria county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1845. His grandfather
was John Evans, who was a native of the Principality of Wales, but who, in about
1833, left the parental roof to seek a new home and new associations in America.
His first location was in Cambria township, this county, but he afterwards
removed to Ebensburg, his home at the time of his death, in 1847. He was a
carpenter and wood-worker by trade. A skilled and proficient artisan, he
followed that craft successfully all his life, combining with it, during his
more mature years, the manufacturing of lumber, by what was known as the old
whip-saw process.
He married and reared a large family, one of whom, David J. Evans, was the
father of the subject of this biography. He was born in Wales in 1813, and came
to the United States in about 1836. He was a tailor by trade, and plied his
craft at Munster, Pittsburg, and other places and finally located in Ebensburg,
and embarked in the merchant tailoring and clothing business, which he continued
the remainder of his life. Originally he was an old-line whig, but upon the
disruption of that party, and the organization of the present Republican party
in 1856, he became a republican, and filled many local offices. Religiously he
was a member of the congregational church.
He married Jane Ann Jones, who was a daughter of David Jones, a native of
Wales, but who in 1836, came to America. Mr. Jones was married prior to his
emigration, brought his wife and family with him, and settled in Cambria
township. Here he and Mr. Evans' paternal grandfather, John Evans, figured
prominently in the pioneer life of that section, toiling together in sympathetic
harmony, and contributing their share to the conversion of the virgin forest
into farms and homes, fit for the habitation of civilized man. They were warm
friends and close companions through the various trials and vicissitudes
incident to pioneer life, and their last remains were laid to rest in the
Ebensburg cemetery, where their unurned ashes now tranquilly and peacefully
repose.
Alvin Evans acquired his early mental training in the public schools, and
in the Iron City business college, at Pittsburg. He entered the battle of life
on his own account at the early age of sixteen years, his mother having died
when he was but a mere child. He worked at the lumber business in his native
county until he arrived at the age of twenty-three years. In 1870 he entered the
office of the late George M. Reade, of Ebensburg, as a student of the law, and
was admitted to the bar of Cambria county in 1873, since which time he has been
in the continuous and active practice of his chosen profession. He enjoys a
large remunerative and appreciative clientage in Cambria county, and practices
in the Supreme Court of the State and in the United States Circuit Courts as
well. He is also solicitor for the Pennsylvania Railroad company in Cambria
county.
Politically, Mr. Evans is a republican, loyal and firm in his convictions,
and has always taken a deep interest in the success of his party, and, at the
convention of his party held at Ebensburg in the spring of 1896, he received the
unanimous endorsement of the Republican party in the county of Cambria for
Congress in the Twentieth Congressional district, being the only aspirant in the
four counties comprising the district who received a unanimous endorsement. Each
county had its candidate. Religiously he is a member of the Congregational
church, to whose support he is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is a member
of the Summit Lodge, No. 312, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Improved Order
of Heptasophs, both of Ebensburg.
On November 17, 1875, the nuptials were celebrated which made Mr. Evans and
Miss Kate E. Shroyock, a daughter of John K. and Susan M. Shroyock, husband and
wife; and their union has been blessed in the birth of four bright and
interesting children: John E., Charles S., Flora M., and Alvin W.
In professional and private life Mr. Evans has borne himself above
reproach, and, by his superior ability and manly traits of character, has won
an enviable respect and popularity. As a lawyer he takes rank with the leading
attorneys of the State of Pennsylvania. He is a careful student of law
literature, possesses a keen and discriminating mind, and is always alert in the
detection of technical points and legal manoeuvering. He is an earnest and
fluent speaker, and a gentleman of pleasant address, polished manners, and a
deep, sympathetic nature - qualities of head and heart which have made for him
a host of warm and admiring friends.