Jackson County, Ohio

Jackson County Obituaries

W. R. Evans

Rev. W. R. Evans was the son of Mr. John R. Evans and his wife, Ellenor Williams Evans. He was born on what is now the William Parry farm, about two miles east of Sardis church, which was then in Gallia County, but was later legislated into Jackson County, 24 Jan 1845. He was the sixth child and third son in a family of seven. When he was about a year old, the family moved to the farm now owned by his brother, T.D. Evans, in Greenfield Township, Gallia County, which was his home until 1873, when he married Miss Mary A. Jones, of Oak Hill, and purchased the farm near Peniel, where he lived the remainder of his days or for forty years. On the 9th of December following, his young wife was called to her Eternal home, leaving Mr. Evans with the care of a baby son ten days old.

On the 4th of March 1875 he married Miss Margaret Ann Edwards of Peniel. They reared a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters.

His school advantages consisted of attending the district school a few months each winter until he was 17, when he attended the Ewington Academy, 20 miles distant, for two terms. Later he attended the Lebanon HNormal School one term. At eighteen he is teaching school.

At the age of 15 he became a full and regular member of Sardis C.M. Church. In 1870 Peniel Church was organized near where he made his home three years later (1873) to where he transferred his church membership. At 28 he was elected deacon of Peniel Church. Three years later in 1876 he was authorized to preach by the Presbytery held in August. A month later, 10 Sep 1876, the renowned Rev. Robert Williams passed away, and in many respects Rev. Evans took the place of Rev. Williams.

The combined ministerial labor of Mr. Williams and Mr. Evans practically covers the life of the Welch Calvinistic Methodist churches of Jackson and Gallia Counties: Mr. Williams, from 1836 to 1876 (40 years) and Mr. Evans from 1876 to 1913 (37 years).

On Tuesday evening, 23 Sep 1913, his spirit took flight to Him. He was 68 years 7 months and 29 days of age. Remaining are his wife of 38 years, and eleven children. Ten were present at the funeral. The eldest, Anna (or Mrs. David J. Thomas of Columbus), passed away some three years ago. The living are John R. of Oregon; Mrs. Charles A. Thomas and Evan W. Evans, of Columbus; Rev. Rowland Hill Evans, the missionary in far-off dark Africa; Everett J. and Leonard H. of Paintsville, KY; Ellen Frances, Ida May, Cora Alice, Emma Edith, and Oscar Newton and five grandchildren. Also a son-in-law, Mr. David J. Thomas of Columbus and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Everett Evans.

clipping from unknown newspaper

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