Biographical Sketch of

Jacob C. Evans

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 533 - 534


Agriculture yields a reward for intelligence in its conduct perhaps greater than any other calling.  Those who bring 
to its prosecution a fund of experience, clear foresight and industry find a ready response in liberal returns and 
the steady accumulation of valuable property.  The subject of this review bears testimony to the truth of these 
assertions, as will be observed in the well-kept estate, of which he is the owner, situated in section 1, New Haven 
township, in Adams county.

Mr. Evans was born in Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania.  His parents were William and Betsey (Morgan) 
Evans, natives of Wales, where they grew to maturity and were married.  The father was a coal miner, and came to 
America after the war and engaged in mining at Minersville, Pennsylvania, where he died about 1852, at the age of 
fifty years.  The mother's death occurred about 1842, when she was about forty years of age.  They were members of 
the Welsh Baptist church.  They were the parents of four children, two of whom still survive.  Their names are as 
follows:  Thomas, of Minersville, Pennsylvania; Abram died at Minersville, Pennsylvania; Isaac also died at 
Minersville; and Jacob C., our subject.  The last named two were twins.

Soon after the death of his mother young Jacob was bound out to a Mr. James Spencer, with the condition that he was 
to receive two suits of clothing each year, and one year of steady schooling at the age of eighteen years.  His 
guardian was a miner but removed to Wisconsin in 1850 and engaged in farming in Marquette county, where he died a 
few years later.  Thus the latter clause of the contract was never carried out.  Nevertheless Mr. Evans made the best 
of his opportunities and managed to get a thorough knowledge of the ordinary affairs of life, and improved his mind 
by much reading and observation.  In 1854 he purchased his present farm, then in a state of nature, though to obtain 
it he was compelled to purchase the claim of a "squatter" for seventy-five dollars, and to pay the government a dollar 
and a quarter per acre.  He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-five acres of excellent land, nearly all under 
a high state of cultivation, and improved by a substantial farm house, large barns and commodious outbuildings.  He 
devotes his attention to grain and stock raising, and has succeeded admirably, by means of his own perseverance, 
industry and intelligent management.

Mr. Evans enlisted August 23, 1864, in Company K, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and his company was 
stationed at Cairo, Illinois, where he did duty in guarding government property and in garrison.  His company was 
afterwards stationed at Chicago for about three months, six weeks of which time our subject was in the Marine Hospital.  
He received his honorable discharge at Madison, Wisconsin, June 20, 1865.

December 25, 1855, Mr. Evans was married to Thurrissa S. Jackson, daughter of George and Margaret (Chapin) Jackson.  
Mrs. Evans was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and came to Wisconsin in 1846.  her father was a carpenter by trade. 
And died in New Haven township, Adams county, Wisconsin, in 1885, aged eighty-four years, and the mother passed away 
in 1875.  They were both natives of the state of New York.  Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of the following 
children:  William J., who died in February, 1898, at the age of forty-three years.   Mary M. who married Mr. I. 
Mitchell, and is now Mrs. D. Drinkwater, of Marquette county, Wisconsin.  George W., of Marquette county.  Daniel J., 
of New Haven.  Elnora E., who died in 1885, at the age of twenty-two years.  Emma L. who died in infancy.  Cora T., 
now Mrs. Charles Witt.  Eva E., now Mrs. George Byers, of New Haven, Wisconsin.  Charles I., of Jackson, who married 
Lottie Vroman.  Elizabeth M., now Mrs. Ed. Wardner, of Portage.  Frank A., at home.  Minnie A., now Mrs. Schellkopf, 
of Marquette county, Wisconsin.  Isabelle L., at home.  Mr. and Mrs. Evans have thirty-six grandchildren.  The family 
are nearly all members of the First Congregational church of Jackson, which Mr. and Mrs. Evans helped to organize, and 
of which he is a trustee.  He holds membership in the Joseph Miller Post, G. A. R., at Oxford.  He has always been an 
ardent Republican, but has never sought political preferment.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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