A PIONEER GONE TO HIS REWARD

DR. J. M. EVANS

Dr. J. M. Evans' death, which occurred Sunday morning, Aug. 23, 1903, touched the heart of every one of our citizens as perhaps no death in our city ever did or ever will. No one in this part of the county had as general an acquaintance with old, young and middle aged as he. There is not a child old enough to walk who will not miss him and there is not an aged man or woman who did not feel that Dr. Evans was their personal friend. No family circle but calls to mind some crisis in its history when Dr. Evans was the trusted counsellor.

The deceased was born at Addison, Vermont, February 19 about the year 1820. He was the son of Calvin and Penelope Goodrich Evans. At an early age he lost his mother and was reared by his maternal grandmother.

His father married the second time and located in La Porte, Indiana. At the age of nineteen Dr. Evans joined his father and made that city his home for years. There he met his future wife, Miss Emma Clement, and there he took up the study of medicine. His preceptor was Dr. Meeker and in 1846 he was graduated from the medical college of that city that was afterward merged in Rush Medical College of Chicago.

In the year 1850 the young physician started west on horseback looking for a future home.

A frontier settlement known as "The Grove" was selected for a home and finally it honored the doctor by changing its name to Evansville. Here he was given many honors in the way of offices of various kinds. He was postmaster, a member of the legislature and for nearly thirty years a member of the school board.

When the war broke out he enlisted and went as surgeon to serve his country for five years. Upon being mustered out he returned to his home. He resumed his practice to discontinue it but a fortnight before his death. He was also proprietor of the Pioneer Drug Store though the management of this business had been for years turned over to F. M. Crow.

Dr. Evans was a most loyal and enthusiastic Mason, having joined the order in 1841 at La Porte; in 1851 he joined Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. and six years later he united with the Janesville Commandery No. 2, K. T. On Oct. 24, 1882 he became a member of the H. A. S. V. Orient of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Valley of Milwaukee, and on the 27th of the same month he was advanced to the 32d degree in that body. He has also been inducted as an honorary member of the "Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell," an honor which has been conferred upon but very few in the state. During these years he has been Worshipful Master of Union Lodge No. 32, twelve consecutive years, and was High Priest of Evansville Chapter No. 35, the first six years of its existence. In 1882 and 188, he was Grand High Priest of the state. He was also a member of Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee Mystic Shrine.

Dr. Evans was warden of St. John's church and that society and its work was indissolubly joined to his life. To his loyalty and generosity that church owes a debt it can scarcely appreciate.

The funeral occurred Thursday at the Church at 1:30 p.m. From 10:30 a.m. until 12 m. the body lay in state in charge of the surviving members of his old company, Thirteenth Wisconsin Regular Volunteers, and as this body guard with colors lowered, walked to and from his late residence, no group of men attracted more attention and respect, as many an observer could recall the day when they, as young men in the glory of youth, marched out to their country's call.

The floral tributes were many and beautiful, the national colors being introduced noticably.

At the hour set for the funeral the procession headed by the vested choir slowly advanced, the Rev. C. A. Wilson reading. The usual service then followed. The Rt. Rev. I. L. Nicholson, Bishop of Milwaukee, preached the sermon. He chose for his text an extract from the selection read: "So teach us to number our days that we apply our hearts unto wisdom." He dwelt with sympathy and feeling upon the strong traits of the deceased showing in what ways he had applied himself to wisdom. He spoke of his life as a citizen and professional man. He also mentioned some of his marked characteristics and alluded to his strong love for children. Those present, many of whom had known him fifty years, felt the high words of commendation to be fitting.

At the church door the Masonic fraternity, represented by hundreds standing in line headed by the Baker Military Band, took charge of the casket and conducted a most impressive ceremony at the grave.

To the regret of all who knew the family, the only daughter, Mrs. E. E. Cary, was unable to be present at the funeral, although she started from her California home on Sunday night.

Among the relatives and old friends who were present from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bennett of Milwaukee,, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Holland of Chicago, Dr. and Mrs. W. Bennett and Wm. Hannah of Chicago, Mrs. C. A. Hollister and son Burton and Mrs. F. A. Eynman of Chicago, Miss Florence Cary and Mr. Horton of Whitewater, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. O. Gordon of Lodi, Mrs. L. Green of Madison, Dr. C. W. Merriman of Beloit, Col. Wm. Ruger, M. A. Norris and Mother, and Mrs. L. C. Brewer of Janesville and Joseph Coleman of Oconto.

Many cities were represented by members of lodges, among them, Janesville, Footville, Oregon, Beloit, Brodhead, Madison.

Evansville has laid to rest its first Mayor and one of its oldest residents.

No one gathered around him more friends. No one will be more missed.

The Badger
August 29, 1903, Evansville, Wisconsin

Died: At her home in this city, Mrs. Emma Clement Evans, Monday, February 6, aged 78 years.

The deceased was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and is the last of a family of ten. In the year 1854, June 1, she was married at La Porte, Indiana, to Dr. J. M. Evans. Since that time this place has been their home.

Three children were born to them, two of which survive and reside here, Mrs. E. E. Griswold and Dr. J. M. Evans, Jr.

Here in the town named for them, this venerable couple has wrought their life work and made their influence felt in every good cause.

All that could be said in praise of a christian man and woman and the radiating influence of heir lives is due to Dr. and Mrs. Evans.

For over thirty years the deceased has been an active worker in the Episcopal church here. To her almost unaided efforts was due the organization of that society and the building of St. John's church.

The funeral occurred from the house Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Noble Palmer of St. Paul officiating assisted by a quartette choir consisting of Mesdames P. C. Wilder and E. J. Ballard and Messrs J. C. Gillies and F. S. Clinch. The pall bearers were Messrs., F. M. Crow, Dr. F. E. Colony, L. Van Wart, Geo. L. Pullen, J. P. Porter and Geo. H. Clark.

Several relatives of the deceased from out of town came to pay their last tribute, among them were: Mr. Cooper of Plymouth, Indiana; Dr. Evans' sister, Mrs. McCotter of Geneva, Wis; Mr. and Mrs. Holland, Mr. Wm. Hannah, Mrs. Kendall and Mr. Wm. Bennett of Chicago; and Mr. Waite of Duluth, Minnesota. Mr. C. A. Hollister of Ravenswood, Ill., came to attend the services.

February 11, 1899, The Badger, Evansville, Wisconsin

Mrs. Emma Clement Evans, wife of Dr. J. M. Evans, Sr., aged 82 years, departed this life on Monday evening, Feb. 6, 1899.

This death comes upon our community very suddenly, her sickness only dating from last week Tuesday, with no apparent specific disease aside from a general breaking down from age and a long active, useful life, the whole of which has been principally spent in this place. She was the mother of three children, two of whom survive her, Dr. J. M. Evans, Jr., and Mrs. Elizabeth Emma Griswold, who with their father have the deepest sympathy of this entire community in which they are all held in the highest esteem.

The funeral will be held at the residence on Main St., Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

February 7, 1899, The Tribune, Evansville, Wisconsin

OLD SETTLERS' STORIES
Number Three

Editor of The Badger:

In response to your request to say something of my early experiences here as a Rock County pioneer I have made a few notes which may be of interest to some of your readers.

I was born in Rutland County, Vermont, February 13, 1819. My ancestors on both sides of the houses were of Puritan stock, both members of families who helped to develop New England. My father's name was Calvin R. Evans. My mother's name was Penelope Goodrich. When I was fifteen years old my mother died and I spent several years with grandfather Goodrich. When I was nineteen I came west as far as La Porte, Ind., to join my father.

My journey from Vermont to La Porte was made every step of the way by stage coach. It took two weeks to make the journey. By the time I reached Ohio I was badly used up from exhaustion and had to leave the coach for a while. This was in February of '38. Later in the same year I went on horseback from La Porte to the west side of Chicago. On Lake street, near the mouth of the river, I got stuck in the mud and had to get off my horse in order to get the animal out. The man that owned the land came along to help me and offered to trade me that quarter section of land for the horse but as she was a good mare I would not trade.

There were not nearly as many openings for boys in those days as now. My education was such as could be gotten from the common schools of Vermont, but I then had no thought of studying for one of the professions.

In casting about to decide upon something for a business I decided to be a carpenter and served my three years apprenticeship. Owing to a trouble in one hip I was advised by my physician to give up carpentering and so I began the study of medicine under Dr. Meeker of La Porte. When a medical school was founded in that city I became one of its students and was a member of its first graduating class, finishing in the class of '46.

I began to look about for a desirable opening for a young M. D., came to Chicago and then on to Freeport, thinking some of locating there, but finally concluded not to stop there, but came here, all the way on horseback.

Some of my La Porte friends had settled in this vicinity and so in looking for a place to locate I came to "The Grove." I found my new home was located in a settlement consisting of one frame house, one log school-house, and one double log cabin.

The frame house was the one already referred to by Mr. Bennett, owned by Henry Spencer. The school house was the one where Mr. Leonard was hired to teach the children useful knowledge.

The log cabin was owned and occupied by Amos Kirkpatrick, the original owner of the quarter which had for its northwest corner the site of the Pioneer drug store.

For about two years I boarded in the family of Henry Spencer, and had my office up stairs. My practice was mostly riding as people did not live close together in those days, but the roads were good, (plenty of room to turn out) they have never been bettered except by grading marshes and bridging steams.

There was one other physician, living in Union, at this time.

Those were good old days; everyone was a friend to everyone else. We had many privations and hardships but we helped each other to share them and looked ahead to the better days coming and they came.

I had been here two years when I bought the corner where Cummings & Clark now have their store, of Lewis Spencer. There was a frame house near the corner facing on Main St. It is the same house now owned by James Powles, on Liberty street, situated between his residence and that of S. J. Baker. My sister, now Mrs. McCotter, joined me and we went to housekeeping. Around the corner facing on Madison street I built an office and occupied it for some time. Later I had one where the house of my son now stands, having purchased ten acres of land from Henry Spencer, fronting on Main Street.

In 1849 we had come to be of enough importance to have a post office established here as a part of the postal system then carried on by stages.

I was appointed postmaster and had the office where W. F. Biglow now has his furniture store. The office was called Evansville and in 1855 when the town was platted the same name was kept.

In 1854 I was married to Miss Emma Clement of La Porte and after that we boarded a few months in Janesville.

In about a year after my marriage we came to Evansville to live in the red brick houses which was torn down a few years ago, on the site where we now live.

In 1861, I accepted the commission surgeon of the Wisconsin 13th Infantry and followed the fortunes of war till 1865 when I was obliged to resign on account of my health. I gladly welcomed peace and home. For four years I had been trying to do my best to get our boys so they could go back home or help them die a little easier under foreign skies.

Since then my residence has been uninterrupted here. I have watched nearly every house go up, all the schools, all the churches, and feel that the early men of this community were made of good fiber. It is with pardonable pride that I mark each improvement in our prosperous town and take a personal interest in every thing connected with the community. I enjoy looking down our streets bordered on either side by beautiful shade trees and became convinced a long time ago that hard work and privations have been paid for. The pioneers that broke the sod and hewed the logs have been permitted to live and see their children and grandchildren enjoy the fruits of their early labors.

J. M. Evans

March 9, 1895, The Badger, p. 4, col. 4 & 5, Evansville, Wisconsin

Pioneer Physician Dies,
Dr. Evans, One of Rock County's Early Settlers and Most Prominent Citizens Taken From Our Midst

John M. Evans, aged 83 years, died at the family home in this city of cystitis on Sunday morning, Aug. 23, 1903.

The deceased was born in Addison, Addison county, Vt., Feb. 12, 1820. A son of Calvin R. and Penelope Goodrich Evans also natives of that state who had five children, of whom Dr. John M. was the last surviving member. The father and his second wife came west about 1850 and located in this place, where they died, he in 1866 at the age of 69 and she in 1870 at the age of 71. The first wife, the mother of Dr. Evansville, died in Vermont about 1833.

Dr. John M. Evans, Sr., although suffering from failing health for several years was still a leading practicing physician of this city up to the day of his last confinement to his bed, which occurred on Saturday, Aug. 8th, at Lake Kegonsa, where he went with his son, Dr. John M., Jr., in hopes it would be beneficial, but alas, he returned in the cars never to recover. He was also proprietor of the Pioneer drug store, the oldest business of its kind in this city.

When he was a lad his mother died and he was an inmate of his maternal grandfather's home until about nineteen years of age. He attended the public school and had a good preliminary training for life. In 1838, he went to La Porte, Ind., where his father was living. There he learned the trade of a carpenter and followed it for three years, but was obliged to abandon it on account of hip disease. In 1843, the invalid youth took up the study of medicine with Dr. Meeker. About this time a medical college was organized at La Porte, and Mr. Evans was a member of the first class and was in its first graduating class, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1846. The La Porte College continued a few years and was then merged into Rush Medical College at Chicago.

The young doctor came to what was then known as "The Grove," a small frontier settlement, and flung out his sign to the world in 1846. The name of this community was soon changed in honor of this young physician, and perpetuates the name of Evans to posterity. Several years later, the parents of Dr. Evans came to this place as stated. Our subject has passed his entire professional life in his present home, covering a period of fifty-seven years. He was postmaster from 1852 to 1855, and the first mayor of this city; was elected to the legislature in 1853 and again three years later, serving with honor and credit both times. In 1861, he was commissioned surgeon of the 13th Wis. Vol. Inft., entered the field with his regiment and continued in active service until 1865, when with failing health he resigned and returned home; and ever since his comrades could never speak too highly of him and his service with them, he being always willing and free to assist them during the service and since.

On June 4, 1854 in La Porte, Ind., Dr. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Emma Clement, a native of New York. The union of the doctor and his wife was blessed with three children, two living, Elizabeth Emma and John M. Elizabeth E. was born April 7, 1855 married D. C. Griswold and has one son, Roy Griswold, now married and residing in Oregon, while his mother is now the wife of Dr. Ed. L. Cary and resides in California. John M., Jr., was born Nov. 14, 1858, and married Miss Mae Johnson. They have three children, Adelaide Emma, John Clement and Richard Donald. He is a physician and surgeon, having graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago and had special instruction in Europe; he has a fine office and patronage in this city.

Dr. Evans, Sr., was one of the oldest and most zealous Mason in this part of the state. He joined the order in 1841 at La Porte; in 1851 he joined Janesville Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. and six years later he united with the Janesville Commandery, No. 2, K. T. On October 24, 1882 he became a member of the H.A.S.V. Orient of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Valley of Milwaukee, and on the 27th of the same month he was advanced to the 32nd degree in that body. He has also been inducted as an honoray member of the "Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell," an honor which has been conferred upon but very few in the state. During these years he has been Worshipful Master of Union Lodge No. 32, twelve consecutive years, and was High Priest of Evansville Chapter No. 35, the first six years of its existence. In 1882 and 1883 he was Grand High Priest of the state. Dr. Evans was also a member of Tripoli Temple, Milwaukee, Mystic Shrine.

The deceased and his family are members of the Episcopal church, in which he has been senior warden since its organization. His wife died Feb. 6, 1899, at the age of 78. She was an active worker in the Episcopal church, greatly beloved by all, and many believe that the doctor never recovered from the shock of her death. As a comrade of his in the U. S. service remarked in our office this morning,"He was a grand old man." Settling here in pioneer days he passed through those hardships and trying situations incident to the transformation of a wilderness to a settled and developed land, peopled by an established and civilized community. During all of that time and in those decisive moments he, through force of character and superior judgment, proved himself a leader among men, and was so considered and acknowledged by his associates. Those who knew him best respected and trusted him most. As a father and friend his life was exemplarily, and in his intercourse and dealings among men he was honest and upright.

In the practice of his profession he came in contact with the secret impulses, motives, virtues, and faults which govern mankind, and through these communions in him was developed a knowledge and philosophy of human nature and a judgment of cause and effect, which made him at once a physician of both body and mind and an adviser of the acts and sponsor of the lives of his patients. As such he was universally loved by those with whom he held such relationship. During the great number of years of his continuous and active practice in this community there was hardly a family or person among us in whom he did not know the innermost history of their life, and to whom he was much more than a neighbor and friend. Through his death we have lost a grand old man, one very near to us, a foster father. In his prime he was acknowledged one of the first physicians and surgeons in this state and his professional councils were highly prized and often called for.

His remains will lay in state in the Episcopal church, Thursday morning, from 10:30 to 12 o'clock, under the care of his comrades of the G. A. R. Post, of which he has been a member since its first organization, and the funeral will be held at the same place at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Bishop Nicholson of this diocese has been called and is expected here, while the Masonic Order iwll have charge of the exercises at the grave.

August 25, 1903, The Tribune, p. 3, col. 4 & 5, Evansville, Wisconsin

Mrs. J. M. Evans, wife of Dr. J. M. Evans, Sr., passed from all earthly cares to her reward on the other shore on Monday evening, Feb. 6, 1899 at the advanced age of 78 years. The cause of her death was general dibility.

Mrs. Evans' maiden name was Emma Clement; she was born in Erie, Pa., in 1821, and was married to Dr. Evans at La Porte, Ind., June 1, 1854. She and her venerable husband have been residents of this city for about forty-four years, and during that long period of citizenship aught but good can be said of them. She was the last of a family of ten children to pass to the shores beyond. Mrs. Evans was a devout Episcopalian, uniting with that church some thirty years ago and since which time she has been an ardent worker in the Master's Vineyard, an earnest Christian in deed, as well as name, and was one of the main supporters of that church in this city. None knew her but to love her, and she leaves a character which should inspire all to grander and nobler thoughts and aspirations.

She leaves to mourn her death a most devoted husband, a daughter, Mrs. E. E. Griswold, and a son, Dr. J. M. Evans, Jr., both of this city. The family have the sympathy of countless number of friends in this vicinity in this their time of sorrow. The funeral services were held at the house this Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock.

February 9, 1899, Evansville Review, p. 1, Evansville, Wisconsin