Eli G. Edwards,
farmer, P. O. Louisville, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., December
26, 1842. His father, William Edwards, of Lawrence County, Ind., is a
native of Kentucky. Our subject was brought up on his father's
farm, and attended the common schools of his native county.
He was a soldier for Uncle Sam in the late war, in Company H, Sixty- seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Mumfordsville, Ky., Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill and others. He received a gunshot wound in the arm and one in the neck at Champion Hill, Miss. for which he now draws a pension.
He came to this county in September. 1864. He was married March 7, 1865, to Emma, daughter of Alexander Wilson (deceased). They had two children—Melodia (deceased) and Lottie.
Mr. Edwards held the office of Township Collector for Hoosier Township for one term. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
He was a soldier for Uncle Sam in the late war, in Company H, Sixty- seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Mumfordsville, Ky., Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill and others. He received a gunshot wound in the arm and one in the neck at Champion Hill, Miss. for which he now draws a pension.
He came to this county in September. 1864. He was married March 7, 1865, to Emma, daughter of Alexander Wilson (deceased). They had two children—Melodia (deceased) and Lottie.
Mr. Edwards held the office of Township Collector for Hoosier Township for one term. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
John Egginton, farmer, P. O. Flora,
is a native of
James Ely,
merchant, Flora, Ill., was born in West Springfield, Mass., March 16,
1833, and is a son of George and Maria (Cummings) Ely. His father was
born in the town of Leverett, Mass., and descended from French
parentage. His father, whose name was Nathaniel, came from France in
the colonial days of Massachusetts, and was subsequently killed by
Indians. George Ely married Maria Cummings in Massachusetts, where they
resided until about 1845, when they removed to the State of New York,
where they remained until the time of their death They had a family of
seven children, of whom James is the oldest—Ann M. is the wife of
Wallace Grace, of Troy, Penn.; William, George, Harriet and Benjamin
are residents of New York, and Abbie, the youngest, is deceased.
James Ely was educated in the State of New York, and has devoted his life to mercantile pursuits. After a brief business career in Chicago and at Michigan City, he settled in 1859 at New Albany, Ind., where he engaged for several years in merchandising, coming from there to Flora, Ill., in 1881.
He is a man of unquestioned integrity, and possessing as he does an experience embracing thirty years of mercantile life, he was the man needed to bring about a desirable reform in the business of Flora. He carries a complete stock of goods of a general character, and is deserving of the substantial patronage which he is receiving.
He was married, in Indiana in 1861, to Victoria J. Sackett, who was born in 1841. Their only child is a son, Henry Ely, born in Indiana October 19, 1864. Their family residence is on the north side of North avenue, and the business house on corner of Main street and North avenue. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884"
James Ely was educated in the State of New York, and has devoted his life to mercantile pursuits. After a brief business career in Chicago and at Michigan City, he settled in 1859 at New Albany, Ind., where he engaged for several years in merchandising, coming from there to Flora, Ill., in 1881.
He is a man of unquestioned integrity, and possessing as he does an experience embracing thirty years of mercantile life, he was the man needed to bring about a desirable reform in the business of Flora. He carries a complete stock of goods of a general character, and is deserving of the substantial patronage which he is receiving.
He was married, in Indiana in 1861, to Victoria J. Sackett, who was born in 1841. Their only child is a son, Henry Ely, born in Indiana October 19, 1864. Their family residence is on the north side of North avenue, and the business house on corner of Main street and North avenue. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884"
Samuel Enyart,
Circuit Clerk. Louisville, is a native of Licking County. Ohio, and was
born March 14, 1888. His father, Jabez T. Enyart, deceased, was born in
New Jersey in 1801, and was brought by his parents to Licking County in
1805. Our subject has spent his life on the farm, or until his
election, which occurred in 1877. He came to Macoupin
County,Ill.
in 1864, and to Clay County in 1870. Ho was re-elected to the office of
Circuit Clerk in 1880. In 1860, he married Maria Vail, daughter of
Moses Vail (deceased), a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Enyart was
born in Butler County, Ohio. They have had six children, five of whom
are living, viz.: Mary (Moore), Edward, Myrtle, Cora and Elizabeth. Mr.
Enyart owns a farm of 226 acres of valuable land in Stanford Township,
his old home, and still carries on farming, stock-raising and
fruit-growing. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds the
office of W. M. of his lodge. Mr. Enyart is a genial, energetic man,
and one whose example is worthy of imitation.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
Crawford Erwin, farmer, P. 0.
Louisville. The subject of this memoir is one of Hoosier Township's
best and most prominent farmers. He is a native of Lawrence County,
Ind., and was born, April 19, 1818. His father William Erwin
(deceased), was a native of North Carolina, and brought his family to
Clay County in October, 1832, where he died August 4,1837, and was the
first person buried in the Erwin Cemetery. The land occupied by this
cemetery was once selected by him for a building site, bat he afterward
changed his mind in regard to it, and upon his death his friends buried
him there.
Mr. Erwin was brought up among the deer and other wild animals, and hence early learned the use of fire-arms. He has killed many a deer and other wild game. At one time, upon returning home from taking his grandmother to his aunt's, he saw a herd of seven deer. He at once brought his gun to his shoulder (for they always carried guns then), and fired without getting off the horse. The ball passed entirely through the deer he had shot at, and entered another one just in the rear, killing both of them. This was a wonderful feat for a boy.
In 1837, Mr. Erwin married Eliza A. Craig, daughter of Adam Craig (deceased), an early settler of this county. They had seven children, of whom but three are living, viz., John, Lafayette and Elizabeth A. Their eldest son, Capt. William Erwin, Captain of Company D, Eleventh Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, during the war, was killed in front of Spanish Fort, Ala., while heroically leading his men on to victory.
Mrs. Erwin died in February. 1855, and Mr. Erwin again married, July 3 of the same year ; this time to Mrs. Rachel Milligan. By her he has had five children, two of whom are living—Angeline and Edward Everett.
Mr. Erwin owns 347 acres of land and resides on Section 4. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and of the Masonic order. For ten years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and also has held other offices of trust.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884"
Mr. Erwin was brought up among the deer and other wild animals, and hence early learned the use of fire-arms. He has killed many a deer and other wild game. At one time, upon returning home from taking his grandmother to his aunt's, he saw a herd of seven deer. He at once brought his gun to his shoulder (for they always carried guns then), and fired without getting off the horse. The ball passed entirely through the deer he had shot at, and entered another one just in the rear, killing both of them. This was a wonderful feat for a boy.
In 1837, Mr. Erwin married Eliza A. Craig, daughter of Adam Craig (deceased), an early settler of this county. They had seven children, of whom but three are living, viz., John, Lafayette and Elizabeth A. Their eldest son, Capt. William Erwin, Captain of Company D, Eleventh Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, during the war, was killed in front of Spanish Fort, Ala., while heroically leading his men on to victory.
Mrs. Erwin died in February. 1855, and Mr. Erwin again married, July 3 of the same year ; this time to Mrs. Rachel Milligan. By her he has had five children, two of whom are living—Angeline and Edward Everett.
Mr. Erwin owns 347 acres of land and resides on Section 4. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and of the Masonic order. For ten years he held the office of Justice of the Peace, and also has held other offices of trust.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884"
Crawford S. Erwin
No man in Clay county occupies a more enviable position in civic and
business affairs than the subject of this sketch, who is the well known
and popular ex-Circuit Clerk of the county, not alone on account of the
success he has achieved, but also on account of the honorable,
straightforward business policy he has ever followed both in public and
private life. He possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception,
forms his plans readily and executes them with alacrity so that. he
stands today one of the leading representatives of a county widely
known for its men of force and business acumen. Crawford S. Erwin was
born in Hoosier township, Clay County, October 9, 1866, the son of
David, the son of William Erwin, a native of Indiana, who was a cabinet
maker by trade, having come from Indiana to Illinois in an early day
and engaged in the cabinet making business, also in farming. He
was called to his rest August 7, 1866, six weeks before our subject was
born.
William Erwin, the subject's grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Clay county, having come to America from Scotland, his native country, when a young man. He was the first person buried in the old Hoosier cemetery in Hoosier township. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Eliza A. Fitzgerald, whose people were originally from Scotland. She passed to her rest in Hoosier township in the spring of 1890. Five children were born to the subject's parents as follows: Mayberry P., living in Henrietta, Texas; David S., living in Clay county, Illinois ; Joseph, in Henrietta, Texas; W. G., who is also a resident of Clay county; Crawford S.. the subject.
Mr. Erwin spent his early life on the farm, attending the country schools during the winter months, and assisting with the work at home in the summer. He was left to be reared by a widowed mother, who was too poor to aid in her son's education, and thus our subject was compelled to begin his fight with the world early in life practically unaided and the admirable way he has succeeded in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, deserves the commendation of all. When he was nine vears old, the family moved to Texas, where they remained four years. During this time the children were deprived of the advantages of a good school.
Desiring to return to the Illinois home, the family made the trip overland in a wagon, a distance of twelve hundred miles, in the fall and winter of 1880, having reached Hoosier township shortly after Christmas, during the coldest weather that the country had known for years. Crawford S. at once entered school at Center* under the Rev. John F. Harmon, now stationed in East St. Louis. Three terms of school were attended here by our subject. He was an excellent student, for he had now reached young manhood and he realized that if he succeeded in life, he would be compelled to prepare himself for some of the professions or commercial life, for he was physically unfit to follow the hard-working life of a farmer. He was enabled to gratify his ambition to become an educated man by working out on the farm during the summer months, and with the money he thus secured he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, in which institution he made a splendid record for scholarship.
He decided to become a teacher and before he was eighteen years old had secured his first certificate and had taught his first school, which was a pronounced success. His services were then in great demand for the ensuing ten years which he devoted to teaching in Clay county, becoming generally known as an able educator. Most of that time he taught in only two school districts, meanwhile devoting the summer months to farming.
About this time Mr. Erwin secured the appointment of government mail weigher on the Vandalia line, which position he filled so satisfactorily that he was within two years thereafter re-appointed government mail weigher on the main line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, operating between Cincinnati and St. Louis. His official reports quickly enabled the company to see his ability in this line and he was placed part of his time in the office of the chief clerk to assist in the examination of the reports sent in by his fellow-officers. Mr. Erwin was called home in 1894 to fill the position of Deputy County Clerk, the duties of which he discharged in such a creditable manner that he became candidate for the office of Circuit Court Clerk in 1896, and was elected, on the Republican ticket, and discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned and was re-elected in 1900, and again in 1904, his term having expired December 7, 1908. It is the concensus of opinion that he has been the best Circuit Clerk the county has ever had.
The official and private life of Mr. Erwin has ever been an open book to all for it has been led along conservative lines, honest and without blemish, lacking the faintest shadow or suspicion of evil. His donations to charitable purposes and to his needy neighbors and fellow citizens since his residence in Louisville have amounted to several hundred dollars. He has always been ready to assist in aiding any worthy cause. It has been his custom for a number of years at Christmas time to gather together provisions, and quietly boxing them up himself and employing a teamster to deliver the same to the unfortunate and needy in his community. So unostentatious has this charity been bestowed that the donor is known to but few of his beneficiaries to this day.
Mr. Erwin was united in marriage December 12, 1886, to Sarah Belle Conley, daughter of W. A. Conley, of Hoosier township. She was born and reared in Clay County, and is a woman of beautiful personal attributes. The following children have been born of this union : May, whose age in 1908 is twenty years; Jennie is eighteen years old; Wilbur Esta is fifteen years old; Crawford Leslie is eleven; Leland is seven and Kenneth is four.
Upon his retirement from office, Mr. Erwin entered the real estate and abstract business in December, 1908. He is thoroughly familiar with abstracting, having followed this while in office. He also owns a farm in Louisville township, and one in Bible Grove township, and also a half interest in a farm in Hoosier township, and another tract of land in Arkansas. He is also interested in stock raising and stock trading. Mr. Erwin's land is well improved and ranks well with any in the county, and he always keeps a good grade of stock. He is interested in the concrete business, manufacturing concrete blocks and other forms of concrete work, the firm name being Clark & Erwin.
Our subject is Public Administrator of Clay County. In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He was secretary of the local Masonic lodge, at Louisville, No.196 for ten consecutive years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been a loyal Republican, born and bred in the principles of that party,-but the most partisan Democrat was ever treated with the same courtesy by him as the most pronounced Republican. During his term in office Mr. Erwin has never been too busy to accommodate anyone seeking information on any subject whether pertaining to the matters of the office of Circuit Clerk or legal advice on any foreign subject, and no one ever went away from him wrongly advised, or feeling that what he had obtained had been grudgingly given. Hundreds of people in Clay county, having no regular attorney to attend to their legal business, and wishing an agreement, a contract, or an affidavit drawn up, have found our subject ever willing to assist as best he could. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have a beautiful home, where hospitality and good cheer are ever unstintingly dispersed to their many friends and admirers.
William Erwin, the subject's grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Clay county, having come to America from Scotland, his native country, when a young man. He was the first person buried in the old Hoosier cemetery in Hoosier township. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Eliza A. Fitzgerald, whose people were originally from Scotland. She passed to her rest in Hoosier township in the spring of 1890. Five children were born to the subject's parents as follows: Mayberry P., living in Henrietta, Texas; David S., living in Clay county, Illinois ; Joseph, in Henrietta, Texas; W. G., who is also a resident of Clay county; Crawford S.. the subject.
Mr. Erwin spent his early life on the farm, attending the country schools during the winter months, and assisting with the work at home in the summer. He was left to be reared by a widowed mother, who was too poor to aid in her son's education, and thus our subject was compelled to begin his fight with the world early in life practically unaided and the admirable way he has succeeded in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, deserves the commendation of all. When he was nine vears old, the family moved to Texas, where they remained four years. During this time the children were deprived of the advantages of a good school.
Desiring to return to the Illinois home, the family made the trip overland in a wagon, a distance of twelve hundred miles, in the fall and winter of 1880, having reached Hoosier township shortly after Christmas, during the coldest weather that the country had known for years. Crawford S. at once entered school at Center* under the Rev. John F. Harmon, now stationed in East St. Louis. Three terms of school were attended here by our subject. He was an excellent student, for he had now reached young manhood and he realized that if he succeeded in life, he would be compelled to prepare himself for some of the professions or commercial life, for he was physically unfit to follow the hard-working life of a farmer. He was enabled to gratify his ambition to become an educated man by working out on the farm during the summer months, and with the money he thus secured he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, in which institution he made a splendid record for scholarship.
He decided to become a teacher and before he was eighteen years old had secured his first certificate and had taught his first school, which was a pronounced success. His services were then in great demand for the ensuing ten years which he devoted to teaching in Clay county, becoming generally known as an able educator. Most of that time he taught in only two school districts, meanwhile devoting the summer months to farming.
About this time Mr. Erwin secured the appointment of government mail weigher on the Vandalia line, which position he filled so satisfactorily that he was within two years thereafter re-appointed government mail weigher on the main line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, operating between Cincinnati and St. Louis. His official reports quickly enabled the company to see his ability in this line and he was placed part of his time in the office of the chief clerk to assist in the examination of the reports sent in by his fellow-officers. Mr. Erwin was called home in 1894 to fill the position of Deputy County Clerk, the duties of which he discharged in such a creditable manner that he became candidate for the office of Circuit Court Clerk in 1896, and was elected, on the Republican ticket, and discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of all concerned and was re-elected in 1900, and again in 1904, his term having expired December 7, 1908. It is the concensus of opinion that he has been the best Circuit Clerk the county has ever had.
The official and private life of Mr. Erwin has ever been an open book to all for it has been led along conservative lines, honest and without blemish, lacking the faintest shadow or suspicion of evil. His donations to charitable purposes and to his needy neighbors and fellow citizens since his residence in Louisville have amounted to several hundred dollars. He has always been ready to assist in aiding any worthy cause. It has been his custom for a number of years at Christmas time to gather together provisions, and quietly boxing them up himself and employing a teamster to deliver the same to the unfortunate and needy in his community. So unostentatious has this charity been bestowed that the donor is known to but few of his beneficiaries to this day.
Mr. Erwin was united in marriage December 12, 1886, to Sarah Belle Conley, daughter of W. A. Conley, of Hoosier township. She was born and reared in Clay County, and is a woman of beautiful personal attributes. The following children have been born of this union : May, whose age in 1908 is twenty years; Jennie is eighteen years old; Wilbur Esta is fifteen years old; Crawford Leslie is eleven; Leland is seven and Kenneth is four.
Upon his retirement from office, Mr. Erwin entered the real estate and abstract business in December, 1908. He is thoroughly familiar with abstracting, having followed this while in office. He also owns a farm in Louisville township, and one in Bible Grove township, and also a half interest in a farm in Hoosier township, and another tract of land in Arkansas. He is also interested in stock raising and stock trading. Mr. Erwin's land is well improved and ranks well with any in the county, and he always keeps a good grade of stock. He is interested in the concrete business, manufacturing concrete blocks and other forms of concrete work, the firm name being Clark & Erwin.
Our subject is Public Administrator of Clay County. In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He was secretary of the local Masonic lodge, at Louisville, No.196 for ten consecutive years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been a loyal Republican, born and bred in the principles of that party,-but the most partisan Democrat was ever treated with the same courtesy by him as the most pronounced Republican. During his term in office Mr. Erwin has never been too busy to accommodate anyone seeking information on any subject whether pertaining to the matters of the office of Circuit Clerk or legal advice on any foreign subject, and no one ever went away from him wrongly advised, or feeling that what he had obtained had been grudgingly given. Hundreds of people in Clay county, having no regular attorney to attend to their legal business, and wishing an agreement, a contract, or an affidavit drawn up, have found our subject ever willing to assist as best he could. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin have a beautiful home, where hospitality and good cheer are ever unstintingly dispersed to their many friends and admirers.
Excerpt from: Biographical
and Reminiscent History of
John Erwin,
hardware merchant and dealer in farm machinery. Louisville,
was
born in Hoosier Township, Clay County, November 7, 1841, and is a son
of Crawford Erwin, of Hoosier Township. Mr. Erwinspent all his life, up
to 1876, on the farm. He received his education in the common schools
and at McKendree College, Illinois.
He served in the late war in Company D, Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry; enlisted June 15, 1861, and was discharged in October, 1862, on account of disability, but after recruiting in health he again enlisted in 1864; this time in Company B, Fortyeighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., New Madrid, Island No. 10, Point Pleasant, Fort Pillow, Farmington and Corinth during his first term of enlistment, and Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Jonesboro, East Point, Atlanta, Fort McAllister, Pocataligo, Duck Creek, Columbia, Camden and others during his last term. At Fort McAllister, Mr. Erwin was blown up some distance by an exploding torpedo, but not seriously injured. At the battle of Duck Creek, on tne 4th day of February, 1865, his regiment charged the rebels through a swamp of mud and water waist deep.
In 1870, Mr. Erwin moved to Louisville and engaged in his present business in January following, at which he has been very successful, keeping a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, farm implements, stoves, tinware, blacksmith coal, lime, hair, saddles, harness, chain and wood pumps, and is also agent for the Buckeye Reaper.
He was married in 1867 to Amelia A., daughter of Henry Conley, deceased. They have had six children, viz.: Lewella. Vernon, Troy (deceased), Keturah, Mabel and an infant son. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
.
He served in the late war in Company D, Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry; enlisted June 15, 1861, and was discharged in October, 1862, on account of disability, but after recruiting in health he again enlisted in 1864; this time in Company B, Fortyeighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., New Madrid, Island No. 10, Point Pleasant, Fort Pillow, Farmington and Corinth during his first term of enlistment, and Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Jonesboro, East Point, Atlanta, Fort McAllister, Pocataligo, Duck Creek, Columbia, Camden and others during his last term. At Fort McAllister, Mr. Erwin was blown up some distance by an exploding torpedo, but not seriously injured. At the battle of Duck Creek, on tne 4th day of February, 1865, his regiment charged the rebels through a swamp of mud and water waist deep.
In 1870, Mr. Erwin moved to Louisville and engaged in his present business in January following, at which he has been very successful, keeping a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, farm implements, stoves, tinware, blacksmith coal, lime, hair, saddles, harness, chain and wood pumps, and is also agent for the Buckeye Reaper.
He was married in 1867 to Amelia A., daughter of Henry Conley, deceased. They have had six children, viz.: Lewella. Vernon, Troy (deceased), Keturah, Mabel and an infant son. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
.
J. T. Evans,
merchant, Clay City, was born in Johnson County, Ind., Jan. 7,
1835. He is a son of Joseph and Matilda (Driscoll) Evans. The
father was a native of Brown County, Ohio. Edward Evans, the
grandfather, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a solider in the
Revolution. Among the battles in that conflict in which he participated
was the battle of Brandywine. His people were of Welsh decent. The
father is still living in Johnson County, Ind., at the age of
eighty-eight, on the same farm he entered fiftyfour years ago, and he
still has in his possession the letters patent for the land, bearing
the signature of Andrew Jackson. The mother was born in Mason
County, Ky., her father being a native of Maryland, and of Scotch
descent. Our subject was the sixth of seven children, and of this
number three are now living, viz.: Mrs. Julia Ann Jolliffe, of Johnson
County, Ind.; J. T., subject, and J. E., in Clay City Township.
The common schools of his native county furnished Mr. Evans his means of education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced teaching, but followed that profession only two years. He then commenced reading medicine with Drs. Marshall & Ream, of Williamsburg, Ind.
After studying with them two years, he came to Clay City, Ill., arriving herein April, 1859, and began the practice of medicine. Not liking the profession however, he gave it up after about two years. In December, 1860, he turned his attention to merchandising, and opened a general store. In this business, he has been engaged ever since, and now carries a stock of about $8,000. He also does a great deal in the grain and commission business, having built a large warehouse, and now handles on an average about 50,000 bushels of grain a year, besides considerable flax and grass seed.
In the old town of Maysville, Clay County, Mr. Evans was married, November 17, 1859, to Miss Amanda E. Bagwell, a daughter of Thomas J. and Cina E. ( Whiteman) Bagwell. The father was a native of Kentucky, and came to the old town of Maysville in 1842, where he ran a hotel for many years. He died in 1877. The mother was a native of Tennessee, and is still living in Clay City, at the advanced age of seventy-two. Mrs.Evans was born in March, 1842, and is the mother of four children, three of whom are now living: Henry, born November 18, 1860; Ella, October 2, 1863, and now the wife of Charles D. Duff; and Charles, February 19, 1874.
Subject is a member of the Clay City Christian Church. He has been identified with that denomination since March, 1868, and is at present one of the Elders and Sunday School Superintendent of the church at this point.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Gorin Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar. Casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, Mr. Evans has ever since been a strong Republican.
The common schools of his native county furnished Mr. Evans his means of education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced teaching, but followed that profession only two years. He then commenced reading medicine with Drs. Marshall & Ream, of Williamsburg, Ind.
After studying with them two years, he came to Clay City, Ill., arriving herein April, 1859, and began the practice of medicine. Not liking the profession however, he gave it up after about two years. In December, 1860, he turned his attention to merchandising, and opened a general store. In this business, he has been engaged ever since, and now carries a stock of about $8,000. He also does a great deal in the grain and commission business, having built a large warehouse, and now handles on an average about 50,000 bushels of grain a year, besides considerable flax and grass seed.
In the old town of Maysville, Clay County, Mr. Evans was married, November 17, 1859, to Miss Amanda E. Bagwell, a daughter of Thomas J. and Cina E. ( Whiteman) Bagwell. The father was a native of Kentucky, and came to the old town of Maysville in 1842, where he ran a hotel for many years. He died in 1877. The mother was a native of Tennessee, and is still living in Clay City, at the advanced age of seventy-two. Mrs.Evans was born in March, 1842, and is the mother of four children, three of whom are now living: Henry, born November 18, 1860; Ella, October 2, 1863, and now the wife of Charles D. Duff; and Charles, February 19, 1874.
Subject is a member of the Clay City Christian Church. He has been identified with that denomination since March, 1868, and is at present one of the Elders and Sunday School Superintendent of the church at this point.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Clay City Lodge, No. 488, A. F. & A. M., and Gorin Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar. Casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, Mr. Evans has ever since been a strong Republican.