George Washington Evans
George Washington Evans (deceased), for many years a prominent citizen of Green township, Randolph county, Ind., was a native of Ohio, born on the 5th day of July, 1817, near the town of Leesburg. He was the third of seven children born to John and Eve (Shroyer) Evans, and passed his early life amid the ordinary routine of farm work, where he laid the foundation upon which was built the sturdy, manly character which made him the highly esteemed citizen of later years. On attaining his legal majority, he began life for himself as a tiller of the soil in his native state, where he resided until 1842, at which date he immigrated to Indiana, locating in Delaware county, where, for a period of two years, he farmed a piece of land for a part of the proceeds. About 1844, he purchased a farm in sections 10 and 11, Green township, Randolph county, to which he made additions from time to time until he finally became the fortunate possessor of 192 acres, the greater part of which, under his labors and successful management, was changed form a primitive condition to a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Evans was twice married; the first time to Miss Elizabeth Chaney of Hillsboro, Ohio, by whom he had one child, John F., who died in early childhood. Mrs. Evans dying, Mr. Evans afterward wedded Minerva Strong of Greene county, Ohio, daughter of Reuben and Barbara Strong, to which marriage were born nine children: Jesse, William H., Francis M., John R., Alfred S., Levi M., Charles Napolian B., and George W., of whom William H., Francis M., John R., and Charles are deceased. The members of the family now living reside in the vicinity of the old homestead and are among the respected and substantial citizens of the township.
George W. Evans was a man of sterling worth and he left the impress of his character upon the community in which he resided for so many years. A consistent member of the Methodist church, he encouraged the dissemination of religious truth, irrespective of denomination or creed. A republican in his political convictions, he never permitted partisan feeling to interfere between himself and neighbors. He died as he had lived, an honorable, upright man, true to his convictions of duty, and in the full hope of having his part in the resurrection of the just. His death occurred May 1, 1860, in his home in Green township.
George W. Evans, Jr., youngest son of the subject of this mention, lives with his widowed mother on a part of the home place and is one of the representative farmers of the community. He was married August 10, 1883, to Mary R. Gray, daughter of William L. and Ruth gray, and is the father of two children: William R. and Chester L., the latter of whom is deceased, as is also the mother, whose death occurred on the 3d of January, 1890. Mrs. Mary Evans was a most amiable lady, a kind and affectionate wife and mother, and for a number of years has been a consistent member of the United Brethren church, to which her husband still belongs.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware and Randolph Counties, Indiana by A.W. Bowen & Co., 1894. Page 1054, 1055.
