BIOGRAPHY: David E. EVANS, Cambria County, PA
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann
Olsen.
Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty
Mirovich and Sharon Ringler.
USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives
remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in
accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of
providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by
anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities
so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including
copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to
uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb
Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/
____________________________________________________________
From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 466
____________________________________________________________
DAVID E. EVANS, a leading business man of Cambria county, and a representative
of one of the pioneer families of that county, is a son of John J. Jr., and
Elizabeth (James) Evans, and was born in Cambria township, Cambria county,
Pennsylvania, July 6, 1855.
John J. Evans, the grandfather of Mr. Evans, was a native of Cardiganshire,
Wales, and was a sea captain and a resident of London, England, prior to
emigrating to America. He settled in the northern part of Cambria township, in
1828, upon a tract of land which he purchased and proceeded to clear and
improve. Having gotten his land in a tillable condition and erected the
necessary buildings thereon, he, in 1832, returned to Wales for his family. The
same year he returned to his farm, accompanied by his family, and there followed
the arts of husbandry for some years. He finally retired, however, to Ebensburg,
where he died in 1847, aged sixty-five years.
John J. Evans, father, was also a native of Wales, born in Cardiganshire,
April 25, 1811. He came with his family to America in 1832, and four years
later, in 1836, returned to the land of his birth, and there married Miss
Elizabeth Jones, a lady whom he had previously loved, wooed and won, and whom he
brought to America soon after their marriage. They settled upon a farm in
Cambria township, near his father's home, and resided there the remainder of
their lives. He died December 7, 1893. He followed farming and saw-milling for
more than half a century, and was regarded as one of the reliable and
substantial citizens of his county. He was a member of the Welsh Methodist
church, and a staunch and loyal republican. He voted for Lincoln in 1861, and
every republican presidential nominee thereafter until his death. He was married
on January 18, 1837, and became the father of eight children: Mary, born April
1, 1838, married Henry Jones, of Cambria township; Elizabeth, born June 30,
1840, wedded Evan C. Evans, of Ebensburg; John E., born March 6, 1842, died
December 15, 1883; Margaret, born April 17, 1844, became the wife of John Lloyd,
of Ebensburg; Hulda, born September 5, 1846, died August 21, 1865; Jane, born
January 14, 1849, resides with David E. Evans, subject; Magdalene, born
September 12, 1851, married John S. Davis, and David E., the youngest child, is
the subject of this sketch.
David E. Evans was educated in the public schools of his township, and
became associated in the saw-milling business with his father, in which they
continued until 1870, shipping their lumber to Pittsburg, East Liberty, etc.,
and doing an extensive business. Upon that date they began farming on a large
scale in connection with their lumbering interests, and continued until after
the death of Evan J. Evans, after which David E. Evans, subject, continued the
business. He abandonod lumbering in 1894 and began farming more extensively,
baling and shipping hay in large quantities. Mr. Evans owns three farms whose
aggregate acreage is five hundred and twenty, all well improved and under a good
state of cultivation. Politically he is a republican, but has never sought
office. In 1882 he became a member of company A, Fifth regiment, Pennsylvania
State militia, and was discharged in 1887.
October 23, 1890, Mr. Evans and Miss Parmelia, a daughter of Robert D.
Davis, were united in the bonds of matrimony.