James Johnson Evans
  b: 4/Mar/1855 - Howard Twp., Gentry Co., MO
  d: 28/Aug/1937 - Jackson Twp., Gentry Co., MO - bur: High Ridge Cem., Stanberry

Father: John Thomas Evans
Mother: Elizabeth Miller

Spouse: Mary Ella Welch
  m: 27/Jan/1876 - Athens Twp., Gentry Co., MO

Child-1: Thomas Marion
          2: George Franklin
          3: Jennie L. - b: 12/Nov/1881 - Athens Twp., Gentry Co., MO
                               d: 6/Jul/1883 - bur: Old Brick Cem., Huggins Twp., Gentry Co., MO
          4: James Homer
          5: Mary Ella (Mollie)
          6: Walter Hobart

Biographical Details:

James Johnson Evans, the younger son of John T. and Elizabeth Miller Evans, known familarly as "Jim" or "J. J.", was born in Gentry County, Missouri, on March 4, 1855, probably in Howard Township near the village of Lone Star.  After the death of his father and mother, he and his siblings evidently became orphans.  Indeed, his oldest sister, Martha, was only an adolescent at this time and, thus, a minor; therefore, it is probable that the Evans children boarded with other relatives or neighbors in Gentry County and, consequently, did not return to relatives in Kentucky.  Concomitantly, Frances Ann Miller Austin, was their maternal aunt and civil records reveal that her husband, Robert J. Austin, was appointed adminstrator of the estate of his brother-in-law, John T. Evans.  In addition, Elijah Johnson Miller, brother of Elizabeth Evans and Frances Austin, had migrated to Gentry County about 1850 and by 1860 appears to have become a prosperous merchant living in the town of Albany.  Therefore, it is likely that after the deaths of their parents, Robert Austin and his wife, together with Elijah Miller, assumed legal and social responsibility for the children of John T. and Elizabeth Evans, although to what extent is not yet definitively established.  Moreover, Elijah Johnson Miller, known as "Uncle Jonse" to younger family members, remained a bachelor all of his life and, according to family tradition, seems to have been particularly concerned with the welfare of his two orphaned nephews, James Johnson and Thomas Jefferson Evans.  Accordingly, the population schedule of the 1870 US Census for Gentry County indicates that James Evans, age fifteen, occupation farmhand, was resident in Huggins Township as a member of the household of William A. Canaday (which apparently was included within the large farming enterprise and extended family of Mr. Canaday's father, William J. Canaday).  The Canaday family had also migrated to Gentry County from Casey County, Kentucky, and almost certainly would have been known to the Evans, Austin, and Miller families.  In addition, James' sister, Emma Evans, age sixteen, appeared in the population schedule as a domestic servant employed by an elderly couple, James M. and Rebecca R. Howell, who were obviously living close by.  By 1870, James' two oldest sisters, Martha and Mary, had already married Thomas A. Ireland and George W. Norris, respectively, and both of these couples were then living, each with two small children, in the town of Albany; however, the whereabouts of J. J.'s remaining brother and sister, Jeff and Jane, remains to be determined.  (It is probable, that Jeff was also living somewhere nearby and working as a farmhand and, likewise, that Jane, was employed as a domestic.)  Indeed, very little is known of the early life of J. J. Evans; however, a short biography included in the History of Daviess and Gentry Counties published in 1922, asserts that James J. Evans was reared on a farm and educated in early day public schools.  He began life for himself operating rented land and by hard work and strict economy he was soon able to buy a place of his own.1  This is, perhaps, not a completely accurate account of the situation.  First of all, it is probable that as an orphan he had to "earn his keep", likely interfering with any schooling, which almost certainly would not have been extensive in any case.  In support of this, descendants recalled that J. J. Evans could read and write only to a limited extent, although he was able to sign his name (rather than simply marking "X").  Even so, in later life he recounted how he walked to school barefoot even in the winter.  To prepare, bricks were heated in the fire and then put into a "gunny sack".  Running toward school until he could stand the cold no longer, he would stop and stand on the bricks to warm his feet and then continue on his path.  The distance to the schoolhouse was likely considerable, so this procedure might have had to have been repeated several times depending on his fortitude and the weather.

Mary Ella Welch and J. J. Evans were married on January 27, 1876, almost certainly at the home of the bride's parents.  Their first residence is said to have been on a farm in Athens Township a mile or so north of Albany Junction, which is located about two and a half miles southwest of the town of Albany.  Indeed, as indicated in the published history of 1922, J. J. did not own this farm, but rented it, perhaps, even before his marriage and very likely from his bachelor uncle, Elijah Johnson Miller, who owned more than three hundred acres of bottomland along the East Fork of the Grand River in Sections Twenty-three, Twenty-six, and Twenty-seven in Township Sixty-three of Range Thirty-one, quite near or even adjoining the farm of J. J.'s father-in-law, Frank Welch.  This is further supported by the census of 1880 in which the households of F. M. Welch and J. J. Evans appear on immediately succeeding lines of the population schedule.  Concomitantly, the first four of J. J. and Mary Ella's children were reportedly born on this farm in Athens Township; however, according to accounts of younger family members, Uncle Jonse Miller subsequently established both Jeff and J. J. Evans on large farms of their own in Miller and Jackson Townships, respectively (although they still evidently rented the land from Uncle Jonse until after his death and settlement of his estate).  Indeed, by the 1870's Elijah Johnson Miller appears to have become a quite substantial citizen of Gentry County and, perhaps, because he had no direct heirs, he may very well have wished to assist his orphaned nephews.  Moreover, the preceding supposition is consistent with later oral family tradition and is supported indirectly by the History of Daviess and Gentry Counties which affirms that, J. J. Evans is the owner of four hundred and forty acres of valuable land which is well improved with a good residence and other farm buildings.  He carries on with general farming and stock raising and has met with well merited success.2  This farm was located in Jackson Township about five miles south of the town of Stanberry and one and a half miles east of the country village of Island City.  Accordingly, plats of Gentry County published in 1914 and 1930 indicate that, with the exception of the most northwestern "forty" (which was owned by J. J.'s second son, George), J. J. Evans owned all of the "East half of Section Thirty in Township Sixty-two of Range Thirty-two", i.e., two hundred and eighty acres, as well as an additional one hundred and fifty-nine acres "across the road" in Section Twenty-nine, i.e., for a total of four hundred and thirty-nine acres.3  With the exception of forty acres which J. J. apparently acquired later, all of this land had been owned previously by E. J. Miller and was included in his estate.  According to family tradition, J. J. and Mary Ella Evans moved to this location in the fall of 1885.  Subsequently, J. J. "bought out" all of the other "heirs-at-law of E. J. Miller" for the sum of  $10,000 in 1899.4  Furthermore, the Evans family evidently remained resident on this farm during the last decade of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth.  Nevertheless, after thirty years on the farm, it appears that J. J. and Mary E. Evans "moved to town", viz., to Stanberry, about 1914 or 1915.  This was and still is common practice for prosperous farmers upon retirement.  Moreover, it is probable that Mary Ella was in poor health since she died in 1917 leaving her husband a widower.  However, the following year, their daughter, Mollie, married Ray Birbeck and at about the same time J. J. returned to the farm.  Subsequently, the young couple lived and farmed with him on the "homeplace".  Unfortunately, late in his life, J. J. became incompetent; but was well cared for by his family, and died at home on August 28, 1937.5  The cause of his death was said to be "uremic poisoning", more correctly known to modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis.  Of course, upon his death J. J.'s estate was distributed among his heirs and, accordingly, some land was sold to other individuals.  Even so, the Birbeck family continued to reside in the original farmhouse until the 1960's, which as recently as 1985, was still standing in the southeast corner of the "Northeast quarter of Section Thirty in Township Sixty-two of Range Thirty-two", but no longer occupied.  (As of the year 2000 the farmhouse and all other outbuildings have evidently been torn down.)

With the passage of time, personal recollections of J. J. have become few.  In those that do remain, he is portrayed as a forward looking person having a generally sunny disposition.  Perhaps this reflects his success in overcoming the hardships of his early life and it seems that he enjoyed jokes and various anecdotes about the weather and rural life in general.  Indeed, as with most farmers, he was concerned with the quantity and frequency of rain in the summer and snow in the winter.  Moreover, the climate of northwestern Missouri is quite variable as a consequence of close proximity to the semi-arid Great Plains of Kansas and Nebraska. Therefore, moderate or even severe summer drought conditions are not unusual and it often happens that, although afternoon thunderheads (or more correctly, cumulonimbus clouds) appear, they do not produce significant amounts of precipitation.  To cope with such frustrations, farmers still commonly resort to colloquial elocutions (although inclusion of actual profanity is considered bad form) and, thus, to describe a disappointing summer thundershower, one grandson recalls J. J. as saying, "By Jacks, boys, I could take it all in my shirttail!"  Similarly, upon observing a hot summer sunset with no prospect of clouds or rain, the same witness reports that he often said, "By Jacks, its goin' down like a ball o' fire."  No doubt, these are but two of a many similar expressions.  It is also reported that J. J. had the means and readily adopted modern conveniences as they became available.  Accordingly, he purchased an automobile and tractor quite early and installed an "electric light plant" to provide artificial lighting in his home.  This was long before electrical power was extended to rural regions and was likely contemporaneous with the electrification of neighboring municipalities.  As was the custom of the times, J. J. was serious regarding his religious and political affiliations.  Again, referring to the published History of Daviess and Gentry Counties, it is stated that Mr. Evans is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church.  He is a well known and substantial citizen of this county.  Within this context, the Christian Church is not a general term, but is a specific reference to the Disciples of Christ, a Protestant denomination headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Moreover, about 1897, J. J. became a member of the local congregation at Island City, which was then associated with this denomination.  In politics, J. J. was known to be a serious partisan; so much so, in fact, that his son, James Homer, recalled late in life that he did not admit to his father that he had voted for a Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to be President in 1932; he was afraid that under the circumstances his father might be tempted to disinherit him.  Although, it is unlikely that this would have actually happened, it certainly does indicate an intensity of feeling.

Source Notes and Citations: 
1. John C. Leopard and Buel Leopard (Daviess Co.), R. M. McCammon and Mary McCammon Hillman (Gentry Co.), History of Daviess and Gentry Counties, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, KS, 1922:  pg. 820.  (Reprint available from the Higginson Book Co., 148 Wash. St., P. O. B. 778, Salem, MA, 01970)
     "James J. Evans, a prominent citizen of Jackson Township who has had a successful career as a farmer and stockman is a native of Gentry County, born March 4, 1855.  He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Evans both natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Gentry County.  John Evans was engaged in farming and stock raising here in his lifetime and was the owner of 80 acres of land.  He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church and a highly respected pioneer citizen.  He died in 1860 and his wife died in 1856.  They were the parents of six children: T. J.; Emily and Mary deceased; and Martha, married Thomas Ireland, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Mahala Jane, married Thomas Hunter, Albany; and James J., whose name introduces this review.
     James J. Evans was reared on a farm and educated in the early day public schools.  He began life for himself operating rented land and by hard work and strict economy he was soon able to buy a place of his own.  He is the owner of 440 acres of valuable land which is well improved with a good residence and other farm buildings.  He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with well merited success.
     Mr. Evans was married Jan. 27, 1876, to Miss Mary Ella Welch a native of Texas and a daughter of Frank and Mary (Wheeler) Welch, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana.  The Welch family went to Texas at an early day and in 1865 came to Missouri and settled in Gentry County.  Here the father owned and operated a farm of 200 acres.  He was a Republican and a member of the Christian Church.  He and his wife are both deceased and their remains are buried in the old Brick Church Cemetery northwest of Albany.
     To Mr. and Mrs. James J. Evans have been born the following children: Jennie L., born Nov. 12, 1881 and died July 6, 1883, Thomas Marion, born Nov. 26, 1876 and died on Oct. 6, 1918; George F., born May 12, 1879, a farmer and stockman in Jackson Township; Homer born Nov. 22, 1883, also a farmer and stockman near Stanberry; Mary Ella, born Aug. 16, 1896, is a graduate of The Ernest Conservatory of Music at Stanberry and afterwards pursued her musical studies in Palmer College, is now the wife of Ray Birbeck; Walter, born Jan. 18, 1901, resides at home.  Mrs. Evans departed this life Jan. 6, 1917 and her remains are buried in the Stanberry Cemetery.
     Mr. Evans is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church.  He is a well known and substantial citizen of this county."
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2. "This Elijah Johnson Miller is the never married and rather well off uncle of J. J. and Jefferson Evans who set them up with fairly large farms to operate.  J. J. bought his 400 acres after the death of Elijah J. Miller near the end of the century and I am nearly sure that Jefferson Evans also bought his farm."  (private correspondence from Lester R. Birbeck to Richard Evans, Nov. 14, 1996.)
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3a. Anonymous, Standard Atlas of Gentry County, Missouri, Geo A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, IL, 1914.
     J. J. Evans: 1) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 29; W½ of NW¼ - 80 acres.  2) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 29; N½ of SW¼ - 159 acres less one acre associated with the Beggs country school - 79 acres more or less.  3) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; E½ of NE¼ - 80 acres.  4) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; SE¼ - 160 acres.  5) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; SW¼ of NE¼ - 40 acres.

b. Anonymous, Plat Book of Gentry County, Missouri, W. W. Hixson & Co., Rockford, IL, 1930.  (Available electronically at digital.library.umsystem.edu)
     J. J. Evans: 1) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 29; W½ of NW¼ - 80 acres.  2) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 29; N½ of SW¼ - 159 acres less one acre associated with the Beggs country school - 79 acres more or less.  3) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; E½ of NE¼ - 80 acres.  4) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; SE¼ - 160 acres.  5) Twp. 62 N; Rng. 32 W; Sec. 30; SW¼ of NE¼ - 40 acres.
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4. Warranty Deed
     This Indenture, made on the Seventh day of July A. D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety nine, by and between Eliza Toms, (a widow), of Casey County, Kentucky, by James J. Toms, of Casey County, Kentucky, her attorney in fact, and Sarah E. Marsh and her husband James A. Marsh, Martha C. Ireland and her husband Thomas A. Ireland, Mahala J. Hunter and her husband J. T. Hunter, Mary M. Norris (a widow) Thomas J. Evans and wife Sarah F. Evans, John H. Austin and wife Hila E. Austin, Almira P. Birch (a widow) and Samuel G. Clark and wife Florence Clark, all of Gentry County, Missouri, and Mary J. Graves (a widow) of Harrison County, Missouri, and Sarah F. Thomas and husband Junius C. Thomas of Cass County, Missouri, and and Nancy E. Baldock and husband John W. Baldock of Oklahoma County Oklahoma Territory, and Ulysses S. Clark (single) and Charles C. Clark (single) of Jackson County Missouri, and Perry J. Clark (a widower) of Washington County, Nebraska, and Robert J. Austin and wife Leona S. Austin of Fairfax County Virginia and Hester Marsh and husband Willard S. Marsh of Buchanan County, Missouri, parties of the First Part, and James J. Evans of the County of Gentry and State of Missouri, party of the Second Part.  Witnesseth, That the said parties of the First Part, in consideration of the sum of Ten Thousand /100 Dollars, to them paid by the said party of the Second Part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged do by these presents, grant Bargain and Sell, Convey and Confirm unto the said party of the Second Part his heirs and assigns, the following described Lots, Tracts or Parcels of Land, lying, being and situate n the County of Gentry and State of Missouri, to wit: All All (sic - doubled "All") their right title interest and estate of in and to the West half of the North West quarter, and the North half of the South West quarter of Section Twenty-nine (29), and the East half of the North East quarter, and the South East quarter of Section Thirty (30); all in Township Sixty-two (62) of Range Thirty-two (32), containing Four hundred Acres more or less, subject to the taxes thereon for the year 1899 and thereafter.  To Have and To Hold the premises aforesaid with all and singular the rights, privileges, appurtennances and [immunities thereto belonginmg, or in anywise appertaining, unto the said party of the Second Part, and unto his heirs and assigns, Forever, the said] parties of the First Part hereby covenanting that they are lawfully seized of an indefence (sic - indefeasible) title estate in Fee in the premises herein conveyed:  that they have good right to convey the same; and that the premises are free and clear of any incumbrance done or suffered by them or those under whom they claim, and that they will warrant and Defend the title of the said premises unto the said party of the Second Part, and unto his heirs and assigns, Forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whomsoever.  In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
                                      /s/James A. Marsh     (seal)       /s/Nancy E. Baldock (seal)         /s/Eliza Toms by            (seal)
                                      /s/Sarah E. Marsh     (seal)        /s/John W. Baldock   (seal)                  James J. Toms her atty in fact
                                      /s/J. T. Hunter           (seal)         /s/Sarah F. Thomas  (seal)        /s/Thomas J. Evans   (seal)
                                      /s/Mahala J. Hunter  (seal)        /s/Junius C. Thomas (seal)        /s/Sarah F. Evans     (seal)
       ___________                     /s/Williard S. Marsh  (seal)        /s/Mary M. Norris     (seal)       /s/Martha C. Ireland (seal)
      |U.S.I.R.|                    /s/Hester Marsh        (seal)        /s/Perry J. Clark       (seal)        /s/Thomas A. Ireland (seal)
      |8 stamps|                    /s/John H. Austin      (seal)        /s/Samuel G. Clark   (seal)        /s/Almira P. Birch      (seal)
      | $1000    |                    /s/Hila E. Austin       (seal)        /s/Florence Clark      (seal)        /s/Ulysses S. Clark    (seal)
      |________|                    /s/Robert J. Austin    (seal)        /s/Mary J. Graves     (seal)        /s/Charles C. Clark   (seal)
                                      /s/Leona S. Austin     (seal)

State of Missouri  County of Gentry} ss.
     On this 7# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Thomas J. Evans, Martha C. Ireland and husband Thomas A. Ireland, Samuel G. Clark and wife Florence Clark, Sarah E. Marsh and husband James A. Marsh, Mahala J. Hunter and husband J. T. Hunter, Hester Marsh and husband Willard S. Marsh, John H. Austin, Robert J. Austin, Perry J. Clark (single) Mary J. Graves (single) Almira P. Birch (single) and Mary M. Norris (single), to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and Deed. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Albany Mo., the day and year first above written.  My term expires April 29# 1903.
     (L S)    /s/D. D. Kingsborough  Notary Public

State of Missouri  County of Gentry} ss.
     On this 7th day of  July 1899, before me personally appeared James J. Toms, to me known to be the person who executed the foregoing instrument in behalf of Eliza Toms as attorney in fact and acknowledged that he executed the same as the free act and deed of the said Eliza Toms. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at my office in Albany Mo. the day and year first above written.  My term expires April 29th 1903.
     (L S)    /s/D. D. Kingsborough Notary Public

State of Missouri  County of Jackson} ss.
     On this 8# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Ulysses S. Clark and Charles C. Clark to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and Deed. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at my office in Kansas City, Mo., the day and year first above written.  My term expires July 29# 1900.
     (L S)    /s/Nora L. Shannon  Notary Public, Jackson Co. Mo

Territory of Oklahoma  Oklahoma County} ss.
     Before me F. H. Shelley, a notary public in and for said County and Territory on this 10th day of  July 1899 personally appeared John W. Baldock and Nancy E. Baldock wife and husband to me known to be the identical persons who executed the within and foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that they executed the same as their free and voluntary act and deed for the use and purposes therein set forth. Witness my hand and official seal the day and year above set forth:  My commision expires April 11#, 1901.
     (L S)    /s/F. H. Shelley  Notary Public

State of Missouri  County of Gentry} ss.
     On this 11# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Hila E. Austin wife of John H. Austin to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that she executed the same as her free act and deed. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Albany Mo. the day and year first above written.  My term of office expires April 29# 1903.
     (L S)    /s/D. D. Kingsborough  Notary Public

State of Missouri  County of Gentry} ss.
     On this 11# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Sarah F. Evans, wife of Thomas J. Evans, to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that she executed the same as her free act and deed. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Ford City Mo, the day and year first above written.  My term of office expires June 6#, 1901.
     (L S)    /s/W. P. Graves  Notary Public

State of Missouri  County of Gentry} ss.
     On this 12# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Sarah F. Thomas and Junius C. Thomas her husband, to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Albany, Mo. the day and year first above written.  My term expires April 29# 1903.
     (L S)    /s/D. D. Kingsborough  Notary Public

District of Columbia  ss.
     On this 15# day of  July 1899 before me personally appeared Leona S. Austin wife of Robert J. Austin to me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument; and acknowledged that she executed the same as her free act and deed. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in said District; the day and year first above written.  My term of office expires Drc. 24# 1902.
     (L S)    /s/Jno. Y. Worthington  Notary Public D. C.
Correct of middle initial in Mr Austin's name made by me, Jno. Y. Worthington

     Filed for record July 24#, 1899 at 1115 A. M.  /s/Dale Flowers Recorder  (filed: 24 Jul 1899, Bk. 99, Gentry Co., MO, pgs. 484-6.)
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5. "JAMES J. EVANS DIED SATURDAY   Death Claimed Well Known Gentry County Farmer at His Home Near Here Last Saturday Night.
     James J. Evans, well known farmer in the Stanberry community, and one of the well known citizens of Gentry county, died at his home, 5 miles south of Stanberry, at 8 o'clock last Saturday night.
     Mr. Evans' death was due to Bright's disease.  He had been in failing health for the past several months and for the past ten days had been critically ill.  Members of his family had cared tenderly for him and every medical aid had been provided, but all efforts were to no avail.
     The following obituary has been furnished this office:
     James J. Evans, son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Evans, was born on March 4, 1855, near Albany, Gentry county, Mo., and departed this life on August 28, 1937, at his home near Stanberry at the age of 82 years, five months, and 24 days.
     He was married to Mary Ella Welch January 27, 1876.  To this union six children were born, Jenny L. dying in infancy and Thomas M. died October 6, 1918.  The surviving children are: George F. Evans and Mrs. Mary E. Birbeck of King City, James Homer of Stanberry and Walter H. of Albany.  Mrs. Evans passed away January 6, 1917.
     Mr. Evans became a member of the Island City Christian church, under the pastorate of the Rev. H. W. B. Myrick, about 40 years ago.  He served as a member of the church board for many years and attended church services as long as his health permitted.
     His parents, natives of Kentucky and early settlers of Gentry county, Mo., left him an orphan at an early age, his father dying when he was five years of age and his mother about six years later.
     He was reared on a farm and educated in the early day public schools of Gentry county.  He moved to the present home in the fall of 1885 and resided there the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years, during which he resided in Stanberry.  Mr. Evans was the last of a family of six children, four sisters and one brother having preceded him in death.
     He had been in failing health for the past several years and had been tenderly cared for by his daughter and family, with whom he had made his home.
     Besides the children, he is survived by 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
     Funeral services were held from the Christian church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o' clock, conducted by the Rev. H. V. Reeves of Albany.  Interment was in the High Ridge cemetery.  The funeral was in charge of the Pennington Undertaking Co."  This obituary states that Elizabeth Miller Evans died six years after her husband, i.e., in 1866.  However, this conflicts with the year 1856 given in the History of Daviess and Gentry Counties.  Even so, a real estate conveyance indicates that Elizabeth was definitely still living in 1857.  Moreover, John Evans' estate was not settled until early 1865, which although Elizabeth Miller Evans does not appear in the 1860 US Census, suggests that she, perhaps, survived until as late as 1864.  (obituary: Stanberry Headlight; Stanberry, MO, Thur., Sept. 2, 1937.)
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Additional Citations:

6. 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 604A, (microfilm: roll M593_776; img. 427).

7. 1880 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 495B, (microfilm: roll T9_687; img. 322).

8. 1900 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 268A, (microfilm: roll T623_855; img. 543).

9. 1910 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 263B, (microfilm: roll T624_781; img. 526).

10. 1920 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 133A, (microfilm: roll T625_919; img. 836).

11. 1930 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 111A, (microfilm: roll T626_1188; img. 223).

12. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 30657 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

13. Don Raymond,"High Ridge Cemetery", unpublished. (Gentry County MOGenWeb Archives, 2005.)

14. High Ridge Cemetery, Gentry County, Missouri (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1367686&CScn=High+Ridge&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1434&, continuously updated).

--------------------------------------

15. Ben Glick,"Old Brick Cemetery", unpublished. (Gentry County MOGenWeb Archives, www.dropbox.com/sh/slhfvw5i4zjmxft/AADWGuKI5Ht6hFOFiItkY4GTa/OldBrick.pdf?dl=0, 2014.)

16. Old Brick Cemetery, Gentry County, Missouri (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=1985991&CScn=Old+Brick&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1434&, continuously updated)

17. Robert L. Evans, "Our Family's History", November 9, 2001.

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