Father: James Johnson Evans
Mother: Mary Ella Welch

Spouse-1: Nellie M. Pike - b: 4/Apr/1881 - Gentry Co., MO
  d: 19/Feb/1906 - Gentry Co., MO - bur: High Ridge Cem., Stanberry
  m: 21/Dec/1898 - Gentry Co. MO

Child-1: James (Jim) Thomas - b: 6/Aug/1900 - Gentry Co., MO
                                                d: 25/Apr/1993 - bur: St. Joseph Memorial Park, St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO
                                                m: Grace Elizabeth Pugh - 10/Jun/1920 - Savannah, Andrew Co., MO
          2: Mamie Nell - b: 15/Oct/1902 - Gentry Co., MO
                                   d: 10/Feb/1989 - bur: High Ridge Cem., Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO
                                   m: Hilbert William Sheridan - 1/Feb/1920 - Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO
          3: Ray George - b: 31/Oct/1904 - Gentry Co., MO
                                   d: 16/Jan/1995 - bur: Mount Moriah Cem.., Jackson Co., MO
                                   m: Doris Williams

Spouse-2: Mrs. Ethel Phillippe Clemmons - b: 28/Nov/1889 - MO
  d: 23/May/1989 - Gentry Co., MO - bur: High Ridge Cem., Stanberry
  m: 10/Sep/1916 - Stanberry, Gentry Co. MO

Child: Forrest Leland - b: 6/Nov/1917 - Gentry Co., MO
                                    d: 28/Sep/1942 - St. Francis Hosp., Maryville, Nodaway Co., MO - bur: High Ridge Cem., Stanberry, Gentry Co.
                                   m: Virginia I. Simpson - 20/Feb/1940 - Nodaway Co., MO

Biographical Details:

Few definite details are known of the early life of Thomas Marion Evans, oldest son of James J. and Mary Ella Welch Evans, but that he was born on November 26, 1876, in Gentry County, Missouri, on a farm in Athens Township about three miles southwest of of the town of Albany.  This location was close to the residence of his maternal grandparents as well as a large farm owned by his great-uncle, Elijah Johnson Miller.  Subsequently, he moved with his family in 1885 to a large farm about five miles south of the new railroad town of Stanberry.  A very few anecdotes regarding "Tom" have come down through oral tradition of the family; however, one that has is how he and his brothers liked to "hand fish" in the Grand River.  This is a practice (in current usage called "noodling") that is currently illegal in many states, in which one enters the water and reaches under snags or overhangs of the bank to "feel for a fish".  If done properly, the fish is not alarmed and can be easily grabbed and pulled out onto the bank (or, perhaps, into a boat).  Indeed, very large catfish can be caught this way; however, certain hazards such as muskrats, snakes, and snapping turtles must be recognized and avoided; therefore, hand fishing evidently requires substantial prudence and skill.  Tom Evans and Nellie M. Pike were married in Gentry County on December 21, 1898, by Rev. B. H. Watkins at "the residence of the Bride's father".  She was the daughter of James Marion and Margaret Hanna Sager Pike, who lived on a farm in the center of Section Fifteen  in Township Sixty-two of Range Thirty-two in Cooper Township about a mile south of the Mt. Zion Church.  Two years later in the population schedule of the 1900 US Census for Gentry County, Thomas and Nellie Evans were apparently a young married couple living in Cooper Township, probably a mile or two south of the town of Stanberry; however, the exact location remains is not known with certainty.  Moreover, at the time the population was enumerated in June of 1900, they evidently had no children; however, their oldest son, Jim, was born in August, just two months later.  Sadly, Nellie Pike Evans died in 1906 and according to census records of 1910, Tom and his three children, viz., Jim, Mamie, and Ray, were then living with his parents, James J. and Mary Ella Evans, in Jackson Township.  (Fortunately, the house on the homeplace was large and spacious and could readily accommodate Tom and his children along with his parents and three of his siblings.)  In September of 1916, Tom Evans married Mrs. Ethel Phillippe Clemmons, widow of Archie Clemmons.  Ethel was the oldest daughter of James Daniel and Anna Phillippe and had married Archie in St. Joseph, Missouri, on January 30, 1910, but, sadly, he died of pneumonia in Gentry County three years later on March 24, 1913..  They had one son, Forrest Leland, who later died of acute leukemia at only twenty-three years of age.¹  Thomas Marion Evans died October 5, 1918, at the age of forty-one years, ten months, and ten days.  His widow survived him until 1989 and died at an age of nearly one hundred years. (Ethel married a third time to Leonard Aaron Wharton on February 27, 1924, in Stanberry and he survived until September 27, 1962, but they no children of their own.)   According to his death certificate, Tom Evans died of typhoid fever.  This is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria, Salmonella Typhi, typically found in contaminated drinking water and was prevalent before the twentieth century commonly as a consequence of the injudicious placement of outdoor toilets too close to wells and other water sources.  The disease has become rare in the developed world because of the adoption and implementation of modern sanitary practices.  After the deaths of both parents, the children of Thomas and Nellie Pike Evans were cared for by relatives.  In 1920, Jim was living with his grandparents, and Ray was living with his step-mother.  Mamie had married Hilbert Sheridan.  They later moved to Kansas City and Hilbert became a successful cabinet-maker and businessman.  Jim married Grace E. Pugh in 1920 and lived first on a farm in Washington Township in Nodaway County, Missouri, and in the 1930's moved to a farm near the small town of Rochester in Andrew County, Missouri.  Ray finished high school in Stanberry and then attended dental school in Kansas City, where he subsequently established a prominent practice in the Country Club Plaza (4635 Wyandotte St.).

1. Descendants of Thomas Marion Evans are identified from civil and census records as well as oral family tradition:

First Generation

Thomas Marion Evans, born 26 Dec 1876 in Gentry Co., MO, died 5 Oct 1918 in Gentry Co., MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry; married (1) on 21 Dec 1898 in Gentry Co., MO, Nellie M. Pike, born 4 Apr 1881 in Gentry Co., MO; died 19 Feb 1906 in Gentry Co., MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry.

1. James T. Evans, born 6 Aug 1900 in Gentry Co., MO, died 25 Apr 1993 in MO, buried St. Joseph Memorial Park, Buchanan Co., MO; married on 10 Jun 1920 Savannah, Andrew Co., MO, Grace Elizabeth Pugh, born 17 Mar 1901 in Nodaway Co., MO, died 1970, buried St. Joseph Memorial Park, Buchanan Co., MO.
2. Mamie Nell Evans, born 15 Oct 1902 in Gentry Co., MO, died 10 Feb 1989 in MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO; married on 1 Feb 1920 in Gentry Co., MO, Hilbert William Sheridan, born 14 May 1901 in Gentry Co., MO, died 2 Feb 1999 Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO, buried in High Ridge Cem.
3. Ray G. Evans, born 31 Oct 1904 in MO, died 8 Jan 1995 in MO, buried Mt. Moriah Cem., Jackson Co., MO; married Doris Williams, born 30 Sep 1906, died 28 Aug 1987, buried Mt. Moriah Cem., Jackson Co., MO.  They had one daughter, Patricia Evans.

married (2) on 10 Sep 1916 Stanberry, Gentry, Co., MO, Mrs. Ethel Phillippe Clemmons, born 28 Nov 1889 in Gentry Co., MO, died 23 May 1989, in Gentry Co., MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry.

4. Forrest Leland Evans*, born 6 Nov 1917 in Gentry Co., MO, died 28 Sep 1942 St. Francis Hosp., Maryville, Nodaway Co., MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO; married d on 20 Feb 1940 in Nodaway Co., MO, Virginia Simpson, born 1918/1919 in MO.  They had no children.

*"Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon at Island City for Forrest Evans, about 23 years of age, of Guilford, who died at 12:20 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the St. Francis Hospital.  Rev. W. C. Whitehouse, pastor of the Christian church of King City, will officiate.  Burial will be in the High Ridge cemetery at Stanberry.
     Mr. Evans, who was a farmer residing eight miles southeast of Guilford, had been ill about six weeks and had been a patient in the St. Francis hospital a week or ten days.
     Surviving are his wife; two children and his mother, Mrs. Ethel Whorton of north of Atlanthus.
     He married February 20, 1940 in Nodaway County, Missouri to Virginia Simpson, who survives.  Forrest was a farmer in rural Guilford, Nodaway County, Missouri.  He died at the age of 24y 10m 22d in St. Francis Hospital of acute lymphatic leukemia."   (obituary: The Maryville Daily Forum, Maryville, MO, Tues., Sept. 29, 1942.)

a. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 30967 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

Second Generation

1. James T. Evans and Grace Elizabeth Pugh were married in Andrew County, Missouri, evidently in the town of Savannah, although she was a resident of Nodaway County and the marriage was recorded in Gentry County.  Grace was the daughter of Joseph Vincent and Mary Louisa Giffin Pugh and was born in Washington Township in Nodaway County about five miles east of the village of Guilford.  After their marriage, Jim and Grace evidently rented a farm on the county line about a mile and a half north of the intersection of the boundaries of Gentry, Nodaway, and Andrew Counties.  Even so, before 1935 they settled on a substantial farm in Andrew County about one mile west of the village of Rochester and evidently remained resident there for the remainder of their lives.  They were longstanding members of the nearby Long Branch Christian Church.  Both are buried in St. Joseph Memorial Park.

1-1. Vincent Thomas Evans**, born 30 Jan 1922 in Gentry Co., MO, died 18 Feb 2010 in Andrew County, MO, buried St. Joseph Memorial Park, Buchanan Co., MO; married on 1 May 1948, JoAnn Taube.  They had Tom, Patricia, and Terry Evans.
1-2. Betty Jean Evans, born 15 Jan 1924 in MO, died 22 May 2001, buried Cedar Memorial Park, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA; married on 25 Oct 1945, Charles Kuenzi, born 10 Sep 1924 in MO, died 12 May1996, buried Cedar Memorial Park, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA.
1-3. (unnamed son) Evans, stillborn 1926, buried Lafayette Cem., Washington Twp., Nodaway Co., MO.
1-4. Donald Ray Evans, born 15 Nov 1927 in Washington Twp., Nodaway Co., MO, died 3 Oct 1932 St. Joseph's Hosp., St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO, buried Lafayette Cem., Washington Twp., Nodaway Co., MO.
1-5. Mary Lou Evans#, born 8 Dec 1933 in MO, died 6 Oct 2004 in Andrew Co., MO, buried Fairport Cem., Fairport, DeKalb Co., MO.; married on 26 Oct 1957 in Savannah, Andrew Co., MO, Jay W. Lincoln, born 1928, died 1960, buried Fairport Cem., Fairport, DeKalb Co., MO.  Sadly, Jay was killed in a fumigation accident.  Mary Lou Lincoln never remarried.  They had one son, Rodney Lincoln.
1-6. Dorothy Faye Evans, born 1936/1937 in MO; married Robert James,

**"Helena, MO-Vincent T. Evans, Sr., 88, passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010, at his home.
     Vincent was born on January 30, 1922, in Gentry County, Missouri, to James and Grace (Pugh) Evans.  He was a graduate of Helena High School and then attended Auctioneer School in Mason City, Iowa.  He spent his lifetime in the Helena & Rochester area.
     Vincent served in the Army during World War II, in the 215th Field Artillery Battalion in Germany.  He then returned to the Helena area where he began his lifelong love of farming and auctioneering for sixty years.  Vincent was a member of Central Christian Church; charter member of Helena Lions Club; and member of various County Boards and Committees.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Ray Evans and sisters, Betty Kuenzi and Mary Lou Lincoln and grandson, Nathan Kapp.
     He married JoAnn Taube on May 1, 1948 and they celebrated over sixty years of marriage.  JoAnn survives of the home.  Vincent is also survived by his son, Vincent "Tom" Evans, Jr. (Dolores) Batavia, OH; daughter, Patricia Kapp (Stan), Cosby, MO; son, Terry Evans (Deborah), Cosby, MO; sister, Dorothy James (Robert), Bryan, TX; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
     Services 10:00 a.m. Monday at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.  Interment Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, MO.  Visitation will begin after 9:00 a.m. Sunday at the Chapel, where the family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday evening.  The family suggests memorial contributions to Central Christian Church Mission Fund."   (obituary: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. St. Joseph, MO)

#"Mary Lou (Evans) Lincoln, 70, died peacefully at home surrounded by love on Wednesday, Oct 6, 2004, following a long and courgeous battle with cancer.
     Parents: James and Grace (Pugh) Evans, who preceded her in death.  Spouse: J.W. Lincoln, he preceded her in death.  Also preceded in death by: Brother, Donald Ray Evans and a sister, Betty Kuenzi.
     Survived by: son, Rodney Lincoln and his wife, Lisa; and granddaughter, Stephanie, all of Overland Park, Ks., a brother, Vincent Evans, Helena, Mo., a sister, Dorothy James, Bryan, Tex., and several niece and nephews.
     Memorial Service: Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel, St. Joseph, Mo.  Interment: Fairport Cemetery, Fairport, Mo."  (death notice: St. Joseph News-Press, St. Joseph, MO, Fri., Oct. 8, 2004.)

b. Children of Jim and Grace Evans are affirmed by Nodaway and Andrew County census records.  (1930 US Census Population Schedule for Nodaway County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 270B, (microfilm: roll T626_1215; img. 538) & 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Andrew County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 168B, (microfilm: roll T627_2081; img. 941)).

c. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 31460 - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

d. Marriage Records, DeKalb County, Maysville, MO:  Bk. L, pg. 183, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 28467; img. 1233)).

e. Cedar Memorial Park, Linn County, IA (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2195104&CScn=Cedar+Memorial+park&CScntry=4&CSst=14&, continuously updated).

f. Lafayette Cemetery, Nodaway County, Missouri (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=179853&CScn=Lafayette&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1470&, continuously updated).

2 Mamie Nell Evans and Hilbert W. Sheridan#* were both minors and, thus, consent of Mr. and Mrs. William Sheridan, Hilbert's parents, and George F. Evans, Mamie's uncle and guardian was required.  Sadly, their first child, a son, died suddenly at the age of four months.  By 1922, Hilbert and Mamie had moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Hilbert became a successful carpenter and businessman.  His specialty was fine commercial cabinetry and over the years he was awarded many contracts in metropolitan Kansas City.  In later life, Hilbert frequently reminisced that he started his carpentry career working on construction of a new barn for Mamie's uncle, Homer Evans.  Hilbert and Mamie were both active church memebers all of their lives.  After Mamie's death, Hilbert returned to Stanberry where he died at an age of almosty ninety-eight years.  Both are buried in the High Ridge Cemetery in Stanberry.

2-1. Hilbert Gerald Sheridan, born 13 Dec 1920 in Gentry Co., MO, died 19 Apr 1921 in Gentry Co., MO, buried High Ridge Cem., Stanberry, Gentry Co., MO.  According to his death certificaate, this child was "found dead in bed" of unknown cause and appears to be an example of "crib death" or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as is current usage.
2-2. Juanita Rose Sheridan##, born 23 Jul 1922 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO, died 20 Mar 2010 in Nevada, Story Co., IA, buried Ames Municipal Cem., Ames; married on 24 Mar 1944 in Kansas City, David R. Boylan.
2-3. Marjorie J. Sheridan, born 1924/1925; married Harold Short.

#*"Hilbert W. Sheridan  1901-1999
STANBERRY, Mo. -- Hilbert William Sheridan, 97, Stanberry, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999, at a health-care center in Stanberry.
     Mr. Sheridan, a maker of fine cabinetry, was the owner and operator of the Sheridan Store Equipment in Kansas City for over 50 years.  Born in Gentry County, Mo., on May 14, 1901, he lived in Kansas City before moving to Stanberry.  He was a member of the Southwest Bible Church, Shawnee, Kan.; and Blue Ridge Bible Church and Carpenters Union, both of Kansas City. Mr.  Sheridan served on the board of GMU, Smithville, Mo.; and board of Carver Bible Institute, Kansas City.
     On Feb. 1, 1920, he married Mamie N. Evans. She is deceased.  Mr. Sheridan also was preceded in death by a son, Gerald; his parents, William E. and Rosa; and a brother, Verlin.  Surviving: two daughters, Juanita Boylan, Ames, Iowa, and Marjorie Short, Yorba Linda, Calif.; a sister, Lucille Howery, Portland, Ore.; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.  Service: 2 p.m. Monday, Island City Christian Church, Stanberry. Burial: Highridge Cemetery, Stanberry. Visitation: after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Stanberry. There is no scheduled family visitation."  (obituary: St. Joseph News-Press, St. Joseph, MO, Fri., Feb. 5, 1999.)

##"Juanita S. Boylan, 87, a resident of Ames for 62 years, died Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Story County Medical Center in Nevada, Iowa.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, Iowa.  Burial will follow in Ames Municipal Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Friday, March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Chapel.
     Juanita Boylan was born July 23, 1922 in Kansas City, Missouri to Hilbert and Mamie (Evans) Sheridan.  She married David R. Boylan on March 24, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri.  She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1944 with a degree in Bacteriology.  She was employed as a laboratory assistant at Iowa State University from 1948 to 1950.
     Juanita was an accomplished organist and was an active member of Campus Baptist Church, where she played the organ and piano for over 50 years.  Her love for music was passed to her daughters, Sharon, Elizabeth, and Lisa, who became active in music in their respective churches.  She enjoyed the arts, reading, sewing, gardening and traveling.
     She is survived by her husband, Dr. David R. Boylan, former Dean of the College of Engineering at ISU; three daughters, Sharon (Lee) Hähnlen of Lynchburg, VA, Elizabeth (Murray) McKee of Carlisle, IA, and Lisa (Kevin) Powell of Walford, IA; one daughter-in-law, Vonny Boylan of Ames, IA; and five grandchildren, Joshua Hähnlen, Anne-Christie (Peggy) Boylan-Ashraf, Matthew McKee,Heather McKee, and Collin Powell.
     She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Gerald Ray Boylan and a granddaughter, Amanda Hähnlen."   (obituary: Stevens Memorial Chapel. Ames, IA)

g. Children of Hilbert and mamie Sheridan can be identified from Jackson County census records.  (1930 US Census Population Schedule for Jackson County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 34A, (microfilm: roll T626_1202; img. 614) & 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Jackson County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 5079A, (microfilm: roll T627_2179; img. 309)).

h. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 9276-E - Bureau of Vital Statistics, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO).

i. Ames Municipal Cemetery, Story County, Iowa (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=164403&CScn=Ames+Municipal&CScntry=4&CSst=14&, continuously updated).

(unpublished notes)
back to bio.

Additional Citations:

2. 1900 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 191B, (microfilm: roll T623_855; img. 388).

3. 1910 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 263B, (microfilm: roll T624_781; img. 526).

4. 1920 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 67A, (microfilm: roll T625_919; img. 702).

5. 1930 US Census Population Schedule for Gentry County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 145B, (microfilm: roll T626_1188; img. 292).

6. 1940 US Census Population Schedule for Nodaway County, Missouri, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 339A, (microfilm: roll T627_2134; img. 700).

7. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 5, pg. 63, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 37664; img. 176)).

8. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 8, pg. 322, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 53447; img. 325)).

9. marriage notice: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Fri., Dec. 23, 1898.

10. marriage license list: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Thur., Sep. 14, 1916.

11. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll MO-1683214; img. 4353).

12. Death Certificates, Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO, (Death Certificate No. 32713 - 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. Marriage Records, Gentry County, Albany, MO:  Bk. 9, pgs. 60 & 91, (Missouri State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Jefferson City, MO (microfilm: roll 53447; img. 92)).

16. marriage license list: Albany Ledger; Albany, MO, Thur., Jun. 10, 1920.

17. World War I Draft Registration Cards, National Personnel Records Center, National Archives-Southeast Region, Morrow, GA, (microfilm: roll MO-1683214; img. 4347).

18. St. Joseph Memorial Park, Buchanan County, MO (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=30153&CScn=St.+Joseph&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1407&, continuously updated).

19. Mount Moriah Cemetery, Jackson County, MO (www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=30337&CScn=Mt.+Moriah&CScntry=4&CSst=26&CScnty=1444&, continuously updated).

20. Death Master File, Social Security Administration, Washington, DC, continuously updated.

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

Return to Index