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Descendants of John EvansGeneration No. 11. JOHN1 EVANS was born June 17, 1796 in Pleasant Valley, Orange Co, New York (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died August 24, 1854 in Canton, Benton Co, Iowa (Source: Letter written by Edith Evans Barnes; copied by Josephine Evans Miller). He married SARAH KNIFFEN January 19, 1817 in Liberty, Sullivan County, New York (Source: Rhonda Michael.), daughter of JEREMIAH KNIFFEN and ABIGAIL ?. She was born June 17, 1799 in Pleasant Valley, Orange Co, New York (Source: www.rootsweb.com.), and died April 1882 in Norwalk, Huron Co, Ohio (Source: Rhonda Michael.).
Portions of a letter from Gladys Miller Harmon -- November 12, 1979: John Evans, born June 17, 1796 in Pleasant Valley, Orange Co, NY. Died Aug 24, 1854, in Canton, Benton County, Iowa. He married Sarah Kniffen 1817 who was born June 17, 1799, also in Pleasant Valley, Orange Co, NY. She died April 1882 in Norwalk, Huron Co, Ohio. Son Jeremiah was one of eight children. He married Hannah Quimby, born May 15, 1818 and died Oct 1890 at Fort Benton, Montana. Whealy is original spelling of Elizabeth Whealy who married William C Evans. Some of the family later changed it to WHALEY. Her parents Tom and Elizabeth Whealy were born in Ireland. Married when he was 16 and she 15 years old. They emigrated to Quebec. William C Evans was Scotch, Irish, and Welch. Lucinda St James, first wife of William C Evans, was born in France.
Part of Jack Evans' obituary: Jack Evans (Winfield Scott II) son of Winfield Scott Evans Sr, born in Benton Co Iowa, Feb.. 14, 1875, came up Missouri River with parents on Steamboat "Honeymoon" in 1878 at the age of three years. Also on boat were Will Evans and bride, Elizabeth Whealy, Winfield Evans and bride Jane, Jack Connolly and bride. (Their son, Jack Connolly, later married Elva Evans, daughter of Will and Elizabeth Evans). More About SARAH KNIFFEN: 1854, Returned to Ohio after John Evans died Marriage Notes for JOHN EVANS and SARAH KNIFFEN: John and Sarah Evans were married by Amos Grant, Esq., at Liberty, Sullivan Co, NY. Children of JOHN EVANS and SARAH KNIFFEN are:
Generation No. 22. JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2 EVANS (JOHN1) was born July 10, 1818 in Rockland, Sullivan County, New York (Source: Letter written by Edith Evans Barnes; copied by Josephine Evans Miller), and died May 8, 1857 in Webster County, Iowa (McKnight's Point, Iowa) (Source: Newspaper clipping). He married HANNAH QUIMBY November 11, 1837 in Webster County, Ohio (Source: Rhonda Michael.). She was born May 15, 1818 in New York (Source: 1880 Census for Jane Evans Mulroney), and died October 9, 1889 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Family letter).
Extract from two sources, Biographical Record of Webster County, IA and MCCarty, D.G. History of Palo Alto County, 1910 page 33 as copied by Helen Mulroney Father was Patrick Evans Co. B. of Volunteer Expedition, John F. Duncombe, Captain at the time of the Spirit Lake Massacre in Northern Iowa ( March 21-24, 1857) Children all born in Huron County, Ohio or Marietta accounts differ ... Marietta according to Robert Earl Miller's Account. Hiram and John are said to have fought in Union Army during the Civil War. Hannah Quimby Evans died, outliving her husband by 32 years, her daughter, Jane, by 7 and her son Hiram by 5 years. Account of Volunteer Expedition published in "Annals of Iowa" September 1898, pp 507-508 (Spirit Lake Expedition) In 1849 Jeremiah joined a company formed by Chapman to go to California Gold Rush, The company was formed in Marietta, Ohio. Jeremiah Evans went to California in the gold rush of '49. These are exact copies of letters he wrote to his wife while there. They were saved in Hannah Quimby's old Bible. ------------------------------------- April 6, 1850 Deare wife and childrin. i take this opportunity to inform you that iam well at presant hoping these few lines may find you the same. I am working with Captain Chaplin i think i shall work with him this Summer and come home this fall or winter if i can make anything worth coming home with. My Deare little childrin i hante fergot you yet nor i never will. My Deare little son Hiram, i want to see you very much wonce more. But i now i cant see you yet. i am very much worried a Bout you. I Dream So much a Bout your beeing Drowned. Now my Deare Son remember what i wright to you a Bout your Beeing Drowned. Be a good Boy and goo to school all the time and i will not forget presents for you all. Jane and John and william i love you all and hope to see you all wonce more and give to you Some fine presents. Now my Deare wife i want to tell you what i want Done. Dont work from home atall, take good care of my Deare little children for they are my true Delight. Now my Deare wife i will tell you something about my situation here. The company Broke up and i Bought my time for five hundred Dollars and i have got it pade and have got two hundred Dollars over. i think if i ceep my helth this Summer i am in hopes i can make a thousand Dollars. in one month from now i shall send another hundred Dollars and a letter two. i received your letter on the fifth Day of April. i was verry glad to hear that you got the hundred Dollars i Sent to you first. i must ask you wonce more to take good care of my Deare childrin and to not fale to ceep them to school. Hiram, my Deare son, take my advise and Dont go about the river for i am verry afrad that you will get Doorunded, mind your mother and gow to School and Bee a man. When i come home i will fetch you a gun or anything that you want, and Jane and john mind your mother too, and i will fetch you Something purty. You told me that you had got a letter from my father. if you rite to them give them my Best respects from California. So give my Best respects to your father and mother and all your folks. So no more at present But remane your helper and friend Jeremiah Evans i forgot to tell you to write to me, i want you to right to me every month. Let Gardiner or mises Chapin Direct your letters to the Same place with Chapins. ------------------------------------- From Norman D Nelson's book "William Curtis Evans": In 1849 Jeremiah followed the gold rush to California and during the 1850 census, he was in California prospecting for gold, and is listed on the census for El Dorado County in that state. He was prospecting at Sutter's Mill, which was in El Dorado County, near Placerville, 36 miles northeast of Sacramento. His return from the gold fields was in 1851 or 1853. In 1853 he again started to California, this time with his family. They were accompanied by his parents, a young sister, Sally Jane Evans, and his brother George and family. They spent the winter in Benton County, Iowa. John Evans, Jeremiah's father died there, in Canton, in the spring of 1854. Sarah and Sally Jane returned to Ohio. George and his family went to Wisconsin, and George was later killed in the Civil War at Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. Jeremiah and his family continued west, but gave up the idea of going to California. Instead, they settled in Humboldt County (or Palo Alto County, Iowa). He is said to have plowed the first furrow ever turned in Palo Alto County, Iowa. The first settlement in Palo Alto County was made in May 1855. William Carter and son Fayette Carter and wife, and Jeremiah Evans and family selected permanent claims on the east bank of the Des Moines River near where West Bend now stands. They came from Benton County, Iowa, making their way through the sparsely settled country by slow-going ox teams, and from Fort Dodge following the dim trail to the northwest known as Military Road. It was the route that the soldiers had taken in going north to Fort Ridgely, and the subsequent supply wagons had left their marks on the prairie grass. Slight and uncertain was the trail, but it led these pioneers straight to their new home ... Carter and Evans had taken adjoining claims on a beautiful rolling piece of land near the shore of the river, with plenty of wood and water close by - an ideal place for a pioneer cabin. On the 31st day of May, 1855, on the line between the two claims, the first prairie in Palo Alto County was broken with five yoke of oxen hitched to a 28-inch Plow. It was a great day for those settlers, who now began to see that nature's wilderness was in fact the provider of their future home. In the days that followed, trees were cut and roughly shaped into logs, and a log house built. It was about 14 x 18, of rough-hewn logs, with no floor, roofed over the shakes, rough slabs about three feet long lapped over each other, and kept in place by poles placed across above them. Only a small piece of ground was sown, that spring. Game of all kinds was plenty. Elk and deer were often seen and the settlers fared well during the spring and summer, as they had brought some supplies with them. The Carter and Evans families were the only settlers during the year 1855. They raised some sod corn, forty or fifty bushels of buckwheat, and about two hundred bushels of turnips. This was considered a good return for the few acres of prairie sod. These pioneers did not suffer for food, as they had brought flour and bacon with them, and wild game was plenty. They threshed the buckwheat with flails, ground it in a coffee mill, and had plenty of buckwheat cakes. One of the curious things related in connection with the taking of his father's homestead, is that he stuck the whip with which he was driving his team into the ground, and at the same time exclaimed, "This is my homestead." This whip was a small sapling he had pulled up, and it later grew to be a large tree, and is still standing on the old homestead. William reported seeing that tree on his last visit to Iowa. Only once while they lived in Iowa were the Evans family exposed to Indian troubles. A band of wandering Sioux camped in the forest near their home, and troubled them for provisions all winter. The Indians were threatening and the few whites did all they could to conciliate them. The Indians had promised to leave the country when spring came and when the grass got "so high" but on their leaving the Evans and Carter families discovered their cattle had gone along. One yoke of cattle being used by the Evans family remained, and a few were left at the Carter home. A party of three, Jeremiah and Hiram Evans, and one of the Carters followed afoot with their rifles, overtaking the Indians on the east branch of the Des Moines River, about fifteen miles below Algona, Iowa. They succeeded in rounding up the cattle grazing in the woods and drove them off without molestation from the tribe. One ox belonging to the Evans family had evidently been killed by the Indians. In 1857 the Indians killed all the people at Spirit Lake and at a settlement then called Jackson, now Springfield, in Minnesota, just north of what is now Estherville, Iowa. Jeremiah Evans joined a party organized at Fort Dodge by a Major Williams, which went to punish the Indians. On their return trip heavy rains caused Cylinder Creek to raise so it was difficult to cross. They ferried across in boats made of their wagon boxes. They were forced to camp out overnight in their wet clothing, and Jeremiah Evans contracted pneumonia. According to the Roster and Record, Jeremiah was a settler at McKnight's Point. on West Fork, Des Moines River, in Humboldt County, Iowa, and joined the Expedition when it arrived there, being enrolled in Company B, March 27 1857. According to the volume, the force was the Spirit Lake Relief Expedition. According to Elva Reynolds Crusch, the place where they camped on Cylinder Creek is now John Walker's farm. John Walker is Grandma Kate's brother. While Jeremiah was ill, he had his sons, Hiram and John, cut down a large oak tree which grew on his farm and haul it to a saw-mill, where it was cut into boards for his coffin. this took several days. When his death came on May 8 1857, he was buried on his farm at McKnight's Point, but before the family went to Montana they moved the body to the cemetery at West Bend, Iowa. His widow, Hannah Quimby Evans died at Fort Benton in October 1889. Jeremiah Evans lived only a few years after going to Iowa, and died at McKnight's Point in 1859 at the age of 42, and was laid to rest on the West Fork of Des Moines River. His surviving children were: Hiram, who was the first of the family to come to the Montana territory (1866); Jane, who married John Mulroney and died in Iowa about 1881; John, who with his brother Hiram was a Union soldier during the Civil War and came out to Montana at the close of the struggle, and was for years in business in Fort Benton, and later resided near Seattle; William Curtis; and Winfield S, who came with his brother William to Montana in 1877, and spent his later years on a ranch near Bainville. ------------ June the I, 1850 Deare wife and childrin. i take this opportunity to inform you that i am well at present, hoping these flew lines may find you all enjoying the same comfort. The minds are getting rather pore here now. We cant averige more than fore or five Dollares a Day. But we are not gowing to Stay here, we are going to move a Bout one hundred miles on Bo river. There the digings is Sed to Bee much Beter than here. i received your letter June the first, i was verry glad to get it, but i was verry sorry to hear that you was not well. i have Sent to you another hundred Dollares and a hundred to pay BarBar. The first i sent it just like i Did the other By Chapins order and you can Draw it from Mr. BarBar in money or anything you want. Direct your letters just as you have Done. i have got three letters from you onley. Hiram, my Deare Son i was verry glad to hear that you was well and was a good Boy, But i dont want you to work to the Buket Factra anymore, But gow to School and lern to read your Book and remember what father tole you Before he left you and Dont go a Bout the river mill nor wharf boat not Dont let little John nor Jane go neither for father cant take care of them now, he wants you and mother to do it for him and i will give you pretty pieces, presents too. Deare little John and Jane, father got your Deare little locks of hare and cised them and lived them and all of you must cis Deare little William for me. Now mother i wont want you to mind what them Dam fools in Harmon tells you about never getting Back or Spending all i get Thay was verry unlikly Born with thair Branes in Thair ass in place of thair head. Myself i enjoy better helth this Summer than i have fore the last five years and hope you will do the same. Mr. Chapin and myself works alone together and expect to work together all Summer for we are about the onley two that can agree to Bee within a Days travel of each other. At eny reate we are all the time agathering a little gold. But i dont know when we will get together against fall i shall come home this fall or winter to see you all againe. We have Alv Stones image here, he calls himself Dudley Stone. He told me that he saw you last fall and you was well. reed this rite for i want you to underStand it---i sent to you one hundred Dollars last fall and one hundred this spring----all to be drawing from Mr. BarBar. Draw it all at once if you wish. Take good care of the winter i will send you one hundred more toward fall. Work no more for them Dam folks in harmon. Dew your own work and Direct your letters jest as you have Done. good Bye my Deare friend. No more at present But remane your most affectionate lover and friend Jeremiah Evans ------------------------------------- Received March 22nd. 1850 of Jeremiah Evans Three Hundred and Seventy-four dollars in Compliance with a proposition made by the laboring party of the Hammer Company to the agents of said Company, made and signed on the 22 day of December, 1849, which discharges the said Evans from all further Obligations of the said Company on him. $374.00 Given under my hand the day and Year above written. Harlow Chapin Agent of said Company Bet. 1849 - 1851, Went to California from Huron County, Ohio Notes for HANNAH QUIMBY: Census Info:
From the newspapers in Fort Benton: "Grandma Evans, an aged and highly respected lady, who has lived in Fort Benton for a number of years past, is lying at the house of one of her sons in this city suffering with pneumonia and is not expected to live. She is, however, for one of her advanced age, standing the ordeal bravely and may come out of it as well as ever. Her sons are with her, except John, and he has been summoned by telegraph from his home at Sand Coulee and will probably be here this evening." "Mr. John H Evans, of Sand Coulee, who was telegraphed for when his mother was dying, reached her bedside the evening before she passed away and had the privilege of listening to her last words on earth, which were those of satisfaction and kindness to her children and full of Christian hope for the further." "Mrs. Hannah Evans, who has been hanging between life and death for several days, passed peacefully away at 9 o'clock this morning. The immediate cause of her death was double pneumonia, from which she suffered for a short time. Grandma Evans, as she was familiarly known to all of us, had lived the allotted time of three score and ten, being 71 years and several months old. She was a motherly woman and her life was devoted to good deeds, not only to those near and dear to her, but to all of human kind. She was a great Bible student, thoroughly familiar with its teachings, and an earnest Christian, not only in words but in deeds. She leaves several sons and daughters to mourn her loss. Two of her sons, WC and WS Evans, live here and another, John Evans, lives in Sand Coulee. Everything that loving hearts and willing hands could do was done for her in her last illness. Her funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence of her son WS Evans, on Choteau street of this city. All friends are invited" She is buried in an unmarked grave in the cemetery at Fort Benton. Obituary: Mrs. Hannah Evans was born in the state of New York May 15, 1818. Died at Fort Benton, Montana Oct 9 1889, aged 71 years, 4 months, and 24 days. When 18 years of age she was married to Jeremiah Evans. This union was blessed by four sons and one daughter One son and daughter and husband preceded her to the spirit land. The three living sons were permitted to stand by her dying bed and watch the spirit take its flight. About the year 1840 she moved to Ohio where she resided until 1854. She then with her family removed to the frontier of Iowa and was among the first white settlers of Palo Alto County, enduring the perils of Indian depredations. She again removed to Fort Benton in 1877, where she has since resided with her three sons. She was converted in early life and has ever lived an earnest, consistent Christian life.
May 14, 1877, Moved to Ft Benton, Montana Hannah and Jeremiah had 8 children. Children of JEREMIAH EVANS and HANNAH QUIMBY are:
Generation No. 33. HIRAM3 EVANS (JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born November 27, 1838 in Marietta, Ohio (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died March 29, 1884 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Family letter). He married STRIKES BY MISTAKE (LATER ANNIE BAD OLD MAN) (Source: Norman D Nelson.), daughter of BUFFALO HILLYARD and CROOKED LEGS.
Hiram enlisted in May 1861 and went to the Army of the Potomac. Hiram served in the Civil War and became on prisoner of war and was held at Andersonville, Ga. After the War he came to Fort Benton, MT. Hiram married Strikes By Mistake, later known as "Annie Bad Old Man" (Blackfeet Indian). Source: Rhonda Michael From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Hiram and John Evans were in the Civil War. Hiram was in a prison camp in Georgia for some time, and it ruined his health. After the war was over, the two brothers came to fort Benton, Montana. There Hiram married an Indian girl. They had three children, Hannah, Joseph and Susan. Their mother died while they were quite young and they were sent to an Indian School. Susan died while there. Hannah and Joe finished school and then went to Browning, Montana where they were both married. The woman Hiram married was a Plegan named Strikes By Mistake. She may have been married before, as her son, Joseph, claimed to have a half sister, Long Haired Woman. Hiram and Strikes By Mistake had two children that reached adulthood. They were Hannah and Joseph. Hannah was referred to as Annie by her brother.
Children of HIRAM EVANS and STRIKES MAN) are:
4. JANE MARY3 EVANS (JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born June 10, 1843 in Marietta, Ohio (Source: 1880 Census), and died March 6, 1882 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She married JOHN MARTIN MULRONEY November 28, 1858 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.), son of PATRICK MULRONEY and ?. He was born November 11, 1832 in Ireland (Source: 1880 Census), and died December 6, 1916 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 Notes for JOHN MARTIN MULRONEY: Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: obituary: dated Dec 5, 1916 JM Mulroney, 302 South Eighth Street, a pioneer merchant of this city and one of Fort Dodge's influential citizens for years, died at 7 o'clock this morning. General breakdown due to his advanced years, resulted in his death. Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed and will not be until it can be learned definitely when the two brothers from Missoula, Montana will arrive in the city. Mr. Mulroney's life was an eventful one. He joined the gold rush to California in 1850, going from New York to California by way of Nicaragua. After spending seven exciting years in California, he returned to the east with a belt full of gold which he had coined into money in Philadelphia. After a gradual journey westward, staying in several places for some time, he finally landed in Palo Alto county near Emmetsburg. There he occupied a county office and was a justice of the peace. he married the first couple wed in that county. In turn, Mr. Mulroney and Miss Jane Evans of Humboldt, his first wife, had the distinction of being the first couple to be married in Humboldt county. Mr. Mulroney arrived in Fort Dodge in 1868. He drove a large herd of cattle here and traded them for an interest in a general store. The firm's name was Furlong & Mulroney. for thirty years he was engaged in business. He retired from business in 1890. Among Mr. Mulroney's business activities, was his aid in founding the Merchant's national Bank that afterwards consolidated with the First National Bank. He was connected with the two institutions for forty-four years. he retired last year from the vice presidency of the First national Bank and his son JR Mulroney, took his place on the board of directors. Mr. Mulroney, with six other prominent men of the early days, constructed forty miles of the old Fort Dodge and Fort Ridgley railroad north through Humboldt county. This line is now part of the Minnesota & St. Louis. For this work, Mr. Mulroney and his associates received alternate quarter sections. Mr. Mulroney's share was 1,600 acres where the town of Humboldt now is situated. He sold this land for about $5/acre. During his residence here, Mr. Mulroney has reared a large family. In 1858 he married Miss Jane Evans of Humboldt. To them were born eight children. (note: really there were 12 children, 3 died in youth) They are Mary, wife of Edmund O'Connell of Bloomington, Ill.; Josephine, deceased; Kieran and Louis A, William, Joseph R, and Dr CH Mulroney of this city, and Edward C Mulroney, attorney at Missoula, Montana. Mrs. Mulroney died in 1882. In 1884, Mr. Mulroney was married again to Miss Hanna Burns. Three children were born, of whom Frank of this city and Robert, an attorney of Missoula, Montana are living. Mrs. Mulroney survives her husband. Mr. Mulroney, a boy of 19, participated in the gold rush to California in 1850. for seven years he panned the gold in California. During one winter he made $65 a day for three months but was forced to share his proceeds with three other partners who had made an unsuccessful attempt to work another claim. On his arrival in Iowa, Mr. Mulroney found stirring times. It was about the time of the Spirit Lake massacre by the Indians. Mr. Mulroney, with some companions, hastened to Spirit Lake as soon as they heard the news, but found they were not needed as soldiers already had arrived. Throughout this section of the country, Mr. Mulroney was known as a lover of fine horses. he had many of them, some of which developed such speed that men interested in the horse racing game took them around the circuit of tracks, and won many races with them. Mr. Mulroney's friends throughout northern Iowa are legion. They regret greatly his passing. Mr. Mulroney was known for his integrity, his loyalty to his friends and for his industry in helping to build up this section of Iowa. More About JOHN MARTIN MULRONEY: Occupation: Merchant Children of JANE EVANS and JOHN MULRONEY are:
5. JOHN H3 EVANS (JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 21, 1846 in Marietta, Ohio (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died April 17, 1929 in Chewelah, Washington (Source: Newspaper clipping). He married (1) CLARA PETERS September 19, 1876 (Source: Rhonda Michael.). She was born January 9, 1859 in Iowa, and died October 14, 1882 in Fort Benton, Choteau County, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.). He married (2) LIZZIE COPENHAVER January 1885 (Source: Rhonda Michael.). She died 1911 in Seattle, Washington (Source: Rhonda Michael.). Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 17 line 22
Letter written by: John H. Evans (Note: This letter gives a lot of History of the Evans Family and their move to Montana) Dear Cousins, John and Mary Evans, Duncombe, Iowa. I received your letter of Nov. 1st, 1927, some time ago but I was sick with a bad cold, too weak and nervous to write. I will now write this history of my father's family and also all I can remember of the others of my father's and mother's families. Then I will give a sketch of my own life and my family. My Father was Jeremiah Evans. He married a Miss Hannah Quimby in the state of New York, and soon after their marriage they moved to Huron County, Ohio, then there was five children born, four boys and one girl. You say you have the Bible record of my father's family, so I will go on with what I recollect and what my mother told me. My father went to California in 1849 with a company organized in Maraettea, Ohio, by a man named Chapman. Father returned home in 1853 and started to California with all of us, his family, and his father and mother and on daughter, Mary Jane Evans, about 16 years old and we all went to Wisconsin, where my father had a brother by the name of George Evans, who was married, with two or three children, and my Uncle George, with his family, went with us. Made our party my grandfather and family and his two sons and their families, and we all went to Benton County, Iowa, together. But George Evans, my uncle, did not stay there. He and his family went back to Wisconsin that same Fall and my grandfather Evans bought a farm and my father and my brother, Hiram, built a house about three miles from Grandpa's house. Then I was six years and they left me with my grandpa that winter to go to school. Hiram, my brother, was then twelve years old and my sister, Jane, was nine years old and I six. Then my brother, Wm. C. Evans, was born three years after me to a day, his and my birthdays are both February 21st. Then in about three years another brother was born, Winfield Scott Evans. That is all the children in our family, that lived to full growth. We all about three years apart. I was born February 21st, 1846, and I will be 82 years old this coming birthday. My grandfather died the Spring of 1854, in Benton County, Iowa, and my grandma and her daughter went back to Huron County, Ohio, that same Spring and my father with all of us moved to Emmet County to McKnight's Point, on the Des Moines River, forty miles from Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in 1857 the Indians killed all the people at Spirit Lake and part of the people at the little settlement at what was called then Jackson Springfield, just across the state line in Minnesota, just above what is Estherville now, in Iowa. There was 32 people at Spirit Lake and seven at Jackson; my father went with the party which were all citizens, no soldiers I believe, but old Major Williams who had been a Major in the U.S. Army and had been command of Fort Dodge before that part was settled much. He organized the party in Fort Dodge and bought them out. In the Spring of 1857 my father died and was buried on the north end of our farm and we lived there until 1861, when the Civil War broke out and my brother, Hiram, enlisted in May 1861 and went in Army of the Potomac, and was taken prisoner and was exchanged in about six months, then served through all those efforts to take Richmond, and was taken prisoner in the summer of 1864, and wound up in Anderson Prison until we, with Gen. Sherman, released the prisoners at Anderson, and came home in the Fall of 1865. Oh, I did not tell you where my father was moved. I was not there then and I do not remember where he was moved to but I have written to my brother William, for he and Winfield moved him after I came to Montana, then they moved to Montana also. When they answer me I will let you know where he is buried at. Now, I will give you a sketch of my life. I tried to get enlisted in the Civil War with my brother Hiram but I was only 15 years old past and of course I was refused, and I had to stay at home that Summer but the Sioux were threatening and the State of Iowa raised a regiment of State troops to defend the frontier of Iowa and I enlisted in that regiment towards the Fall of 1861 in Co. A., State troops, and my company was stationed as Spirit Lake and the other companies stationed along the north part of the state line and the west line of Iowa until the Summer of 1863, then we were relieved by the 6th Iowa Cav., and were discharged, and then we very near all of the Co. enlisted in the 2nd Iowa Cav. which was at Memphis, Tenn. We all went to Co. F., 2nd Iowa Cav. and filled it to 101 men, then we fought a number of battles there and the next Spring we moved east and fought our way to near Nashville, Tenn., when were sent south through Alabama until we met General Hood's Army coming north. We were 3000 strong, all cavalry. We escorted him into Nashville, fighting him every day, when we got to Franklin twenty miles from Nashville we were reinforced by two corps of infantry and we fought him for two days and checked him with a tremendous loss to him, and then Nashville was reinforced and we retreated to those, and the history tells us all how we demolished his whole army. So we fought on until the close of the war and I was discharged in August, 1865, and went home and wintered that winter at West Bend. Hiram got home a few days after I got home and I tell you I had a time that winter. In the Spring of 1866 Hiram and I went to Montana. Left mother and the two boys Wm. and Winne there pretty well fixed until we sent for them to come to Montana. We would not send for them on account of the Indians being so hostile there and in the Spring of 1867 the Indians broke out on the eastern part of Montana and our Governor, Thomas Meagher, the first Governor of Montana got an order to raise a regiment of volunteers there to defend the country until they could send regular troops there, so I went to the governor and told him where I had served in the War and I asked for a recruiting commission to raise a company and he willingly gave it to me and we hunted Indians for seven months and the U.S. troops arrived and the Emergency Regiment was discharged with exception of one Company reserved for scouts for the regular troops. and I got my Co. reserved through my experience with the Indians before the War and I served a little over two years in the Indian War on the plains and then we were discharged and I went to mining for a few years and was not very lucky and I went to trading with the Blackfeet and Pagan Indians and some other peaceable tribes, and I did make that win and I got married to a Miss Peters, who came to Fort Benton in 1875, and I sent for mother and the two brothers in West Bend, Iowa, in 1875, and they came up the Missouri River on a steam boat and went to raising stock cattle and horses, and did well. Hiram never got over the awful treatment in Anderson Prison and he died October 1882. Winfield died in 1905 by ptomaine poison from canned beef, but he made a fortune, but his wife died last year. She left a son and one daughter, both married well. Her husband's name is Charles Dunlap. He is an electrician and well fixed and a fine man every way. They have one daughter and one son, both well educated. The daughter is teaching music now. The son is in High School. He is a very bright boy and learning very fast. I have two sons by my second wife. Both of them married. The oldest one has no children, was married in 1914. He is in charge of the largest creosote plant in America, at Eagle Harbor, nine miles across the Bay from Seattle, Washington State. That one's name is Frank L. Evans. The other one is Grant H. Evans, and he lives in Everett, Washington, and he is captain of ships, and he likes the ocean. He has one child. Oh, I haven't told you that my Uncle George, my father's brother, was killed in the Battle of Shilo, in the Civil War in 1861. That is my Uncle who went back to Wisconsin from Benton County, Iowa. Now, I will give you a little sketch of my life and my family. When the Civil War broke out I enlisted in an Iowa State Regiment for the protection of the frontier of Iowa in 1861, was discharged in 1862. Then I enlisted in the 2nd Iowa Cav. and was discharged in August 16th, 1865. I went home and stayed there that winter. Then I and my brother went to Montana in 1866, then in the Spring of 1867 the Indians broke out and the Governor got orders from Washington D.C. to enlist a regiment of soldiers to protect Montana and I went to the Governor and got a recruiting commission and I recruited a Co. and I was commissioned Captain of it. In seven months after that the regular Army soldiers come out to Montana and they discharged all of the regiment excepting me and my Company and we were kept for Scouts for the Army, so I served nearly three years in the Indian Wars. In 1876 I got married in Fort Benton in Montana at the Head of Navigation on the Missouri River. After ten years my wife died. We had three children born but two died. One girl lived. In three years after the death of my wife I married again and we had two boys born to us and in 1911 my second wife died in Seattle, Washington, and my two sons live there, which I have mentioned above in this letter, and my daughter lives here in Chewelah in the same block that I live in. I have not married since, so I have a housekeeper, and do very well. I hope you will write so on and make it more plain which cousins I am. I am very anxious to get more information of our relations as my father and all of us have jumped away off here west and we can straighten ourselves out all o.k. I hope you will excuse my mistakes as I have mixed up lot of the account of things I have written, for my head has been so dizzy that I could not hardly write it. When you write, tell me if there is anything that you cannot understand and I will try to make it straight. I cannot write any more now. I am some of your relation. With best wishes to you all, I am Yours truly, JOHN H. EVANS Chewelah, Wash. Box 94. Copied from The River Press - Page 5, Wednesday, August 6, 1975, Fort Benton, Montana Adventurous John Evans John H. Evans was another early day Fort Bentonite with a taste for adventure and an amazing capacity for getting all of its a normal man could want. He must have been born in Ohio, about 1846, as a younger brother was born at Mariette in 1849. About 1854 the Evans family came west to Palo Alto Co. in northern Iowa, where the father plowed the first furrow ever turned in the county. When the Civil War broke out John Evans was 15, and possibly as a compromise, enlisted in Co. A of Iowa state troops sent to guard the wild west frontier near Spirit Lake against Indians. Two years later he wrangled a transfer to the 2nd Iowa cavalry stationed at Memphis, Tennessee. After the war he and another brother, Hiram, also a Civil War veteran, headed west in 1866. They apparently both stopped off at Fort Benton, as Hiram freighted and John was soon named as captain of a nebulous Montana force to fight Indians, by acting Governor Meagher in 1867, at 21. His obituary said that his company scouted for the regular army in Indian campaigns of the next three years. John Evans next turns up in the Whoop-up country, with Harry "Kamoose" Taylor head of the Spitzee cavalry which had a memorable run-in with Johnny Healy at Fort Whoop-up. Exact stories differ by participants, but on favored is that the group rode into the fort to make Healy quit selling guns to the Indians--they as wolfers didn't like it a bit. At the peak of a heated discussion, Healy, who'd been puffing on a big black cigar, swept the top off a keg of powder, threatened to blow the whole bunch to perdition if they didn't get. The Spitzees left, an action roundly applauded by other frontierments who had had words with Johnny Healy. The still youthful Evans apparently had definite leadership ability. He ramrodded the group of Canadian and American wolfers who lost their horses on the Teton in the spring of 1873, then picked up new replacements. They got remounts after a scrap with Assinniboines on Battle Creek in the Cypress Hills which reverberated in the halls of state in Washington and Ottawa. (Bob Miller, a great nephew, proudly claims that John Evans was the man who brought the Mounted Police into Canada.) By the time reports of the battle in the Cypress Hills, filtered through such partial reporters as Hudson Bay officials, it had grown into something akin to Hitler's blitzes. The North West Mounted Police came to Alberta in 1874, and most of the traders and wolfers in the Whoop-Up country decided the welcome mat had been jerked in, among them John Evans. His on time-partner in the Spitzee cavalry, Kamoose Taylor, had the distinction of being the first arrested by the Mounties. Canadian authorities were looking for other participants in the Cypress Hills fight, ultimately brought extradition proceedings against six of them in 1875 down in Helena. The men were turned loose, but three more went in the pokey up in Winnipeg. John Evans, the "Chief" to members of the party, came back to Benton to a roaring welcome. With his old stamping grounds closed, he opened a saloon in Fort Benton, appropriately named "Extradition Saloon." The next year he married Clara Peters, who had come here in 1875. On the way to becoming a solid citizen of the community, he was named Fort Benton's first fire marshal early in 1877. It was more than a title, residents chucked their garbage and trash out in the street and lighted the flammables, no mean fire hazard for a village of log and frame houses, interspersed with haystacks for the numerous oxen utilized. He apparently did a good job as fire marshal. The "big fire" freely forecast by the Benton Record never materialized. Meanwhile, Evans had raised $400 for defense of his old buddies up in Winnepeg, with strong help from John Donnelly and others of the community, and the three were finally freed. (All indictments were dropped in 1882.) The Nez Perce came through in mid-fall of 1877, and what a bunch of hostiles would do to the freight down at Cow Island would curl the hair of a Bentonite dependent on the freight. The merchants hollered for help, there was world of military experience around, and the Benton Volunteers were formed to head there to save that precious freight, protected by a sergeant's guard of soldiers. A band of about 30 answered. Heading them was John Donnelly, captain in the Civil War and leader of a big Fenian raid into Canada. His underofficers were John Healy and John Evans, the old antagonists in the Whoop-up affair. Probate Judge John Tattan, retired sergeant of regulars was another member. The volunteers got to Cow Island too late to stop some destruction by hostiles, but in plenty of time to hear the whistle of bullets again, up Cow Creek coulee a few miles. One man was killed, while others could point out near misses on their return to Benton. John Evans business became "Our House" in partnership with John Savage, a partnership dissolved by mutual consent in 1879. In 1882, Evans bought the Brewery Saloon. It was just what the name implies, and for several years Evans operated Fort Benton's one and only brewery. But chopping off of Canadian trade, the death of his wife, Clara in 1882, and finally the railroad at Fort Benton, seemingly convinced Evans that there wasn't much future in business here. About 1889 he began a ranching operation on upper Sand Coulee, and that year a new post office was named Evans for him. It was perpetuated on the maps well into this century. Evans didn't stick around that long. In 1898, probably urged by old friends and associates, he headed north on America's last great gold rush, to Alaska. One could guess that he met Johnny Healy up in the northland, along with dozens of others still itchy footed Benton men. He spent 20 years prospecting in Alaska, presumable without too much luck, and finally retired to Chewelah, Washington, where he died April 17, 1929. Two sons, Grant and Frank, and Daughter Mrs. Charles Dunlap, and a brother William Curtis Evans at Bainville, survived him. W.C. Evans who had two brothers here, came west a few years after the Civil War freighted for I.G. Baker for a time, in 1877 returned mackinaw with John to get the former's family in Iowa. William's wife and two sons died shortly before his arrival and in the spring he remarried coming back to Benton in 18xx. He ran a dairy just down river from here until about 1904 when he moved to what became Bainsville. Hiram Evans, who came here in 1866, married a Blackfeet woman at Browning and died 1884. More About JOHN H EVANS: Captain in the Union Army during the Civil War Notes for CLARA PETERS: Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 17 line 22 Children of JOHN EVANS and CLARA PETERS are:
Children of JOHN EVANS and LIZZIE COPENHAVER are:
6. WILLIAM CURTIS3 EVANS (JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 21, 1849 in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died January 12, 1930 in Bainville, Montana (Source: Obituary). He married (1) LUCINDA ST JOHN 1869 (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She was born Abt 1852 in France (or Wisconsin), and died 1877 in West Bend, Iowa. He married (2) "LIBBIE" ELIZABETH C WHEALY March 25, 1878 in Palo Alto County, Iowa (Source: Rhonda Michael.), daughter of TOM WHEALY and ELIZABETH ?. She was born March 18, 1854 in Canada (Source: Norman D Nelson.), and died January 18, 1896 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Family letter). He married (3) CATHERINE ANN WALKER October 26, 1898 in Highwood, Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.), daughter of JOHN WALKER and CATHERINE POLMEAR. She was born May 19, 1851 in Patoso, Grant County, Wisconsin (Source: Norman D Nelson.), and died October 26, 1935 in Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.).
Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 262 line 38 Montana 1880 census says William Curtis was born in Iowa 1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 1920 Montana, Roosevelt Co. Bainville Twp, household 2, line 5
In 1869, a little before he was twenty-one years of age, William Curtis Evans married Lucinda A St. John, age 19 who was born in Wisconsin. William Curtis Evans was Scotch, Irish, and Welch.
Article: William Curtis Evans In the passing of William Curtis Evans whose death occurred January 12th, 1930, at his home at Bainville, Montana, the State loses one of its most highly respected pioneer citizens. Three quarters of a century of a useful life was identified with the western frontier and devoted to the civilization and the building of that empire. William Curtis Evans was born at Marietta, Ohio, February 21, 1849, a son of Jeremiah K and Hannah (Quimby) Evans, and previous to his death was the only surviving member of a family of five children. At the age of five years he accompanied his parents when they moved to Palo Alto county, Iowa, which at that time was known as the west. His father lived only a short time after moving to Iowa, and his early boyhood days were spent assisting his mother while his two older brothers served in the Union Army during the Civil War. At the age of twenty years he married Miss Lucinda St. John. To this marriage were born three children, two dying in infancy, the third being Mrs. Mary Reynolds, who spent most of her life in this community, and preceded him in death about two years ago. With a desire to establish a home for his family in the West he came to Montana in 1877, traveling overland to Yankton, South Dakota, thence by the steamboat Benton up the Missouri River to Fort Benton, where he arrived on the 14th of May of that year. He was accompanied on his journey by his mother, his brother, the late Winfield S. Evans and the later's family, his two older brothers John and Hiram having proceeded him to Montana at the close of the Civil War. After having found a desirable location near Fort Benton, he returned to Iowa in the autumn of the same year to get his family, making the trip by row boat from Fort Benton to Sioux City, Iowa, thence by rain to Emmettsburg, arriving at that place in the evening. Being anxious to rejoin his family he walked the remaining 20 miles during the night only to find on reaching his home that is was deserted. Going to a neighbor's home to make inquiry he found his little daughter Mary, and learned of the death of his wife which had occurred three weeks previously. In 1878 he married Miss Libby Whealy and returned to Fort Benton at which place she died in 1896 leaving five children. In 1898 he was married to Mrs. Catherine Scott, who, together with the above five children was with him when the end came. William Curtis Evans devoted most of his life to the ranching and livestock business. On his first long trip to Montana, he brought with him seven head of horses which served as a foundation for the large herd he later owned. After establishing himself in the horse business he turned his attention to cattle and his brand 2X was well known throughout most of Montana. Upon arrival at Fort Benton he was employed by I.G. Baker, freighting with ox teams from Fort Benton to Fort McLeod, Canada, a distance of two hundred twenty-five miles, requiring six weeks to make the round trip. Late, when he built his ranch at Fort Benton, he hauled the necessary lumber from Helena, a distance of one hundred forty miles. In 1908 he moved his ranch interest to northeastern Montana and located near Snake Butte on Snake Creek, about eight miles of the present town of Bainville, where he continued ranching until 1919, when he disposed of his ranch and livestock business and moved to Bainville, where he has continued to reside since that time. Mr. Evans cast his first vote for General Grant in 1872 but since that time has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Bainville and has always taken an active interest in civic affairs for the betterment of the community. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Truly his experience and life constitutes a story of seventy-five years of pioneering and we who follow little realize the hardships endured and the sacrifices made in the building of what is now Montana. The surviving members of his family are his widow, Mrs. Catherine Evans, and his five children, Mrs. Josephine Miller, Leroy Evans, Mrs. Myrtle Barrett, Mrs. Elva Connolly, and Earl Evans; also twenty-eight grand children, nineteen great grand children, two great great grand children, most of whom live in Montana. The family mourns the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father, the West that of a true pioneer, the State an honest and respected citizen and his friends and the community a revered associate who they affectionately called "Uncle Bill?"
From Norman D Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Iowa during the 50's and 60's was still a very new country, and the locality in which the Evans family lived was largely isolated so far as schools and other institutions were concerned. With the nearest school twenty miles from home William C Evans learned his letters and the fundamentals of reading from his mother. When a school was established nearby he attended two winter terms and his school days were complete when about seventeen. He had a serious sense of responsibility in helping his mother provide for the household, and remained with her until past his majority. One of the reasons for needing to help his mother was because the two older boys (Hiram and John) were serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Both Hiram and John went to Montana when the war ended, probably in 1866. In 1872 he voted for General Grant. He supported Samuel J Tilden in 1876 and was thereafter affiliated as a Democrat in national affairs. These two tidbits of information seemed very important to early historians who never failed to mention political facts such as these in their books. They were often included in newspaper obituaries of the day also. With a desire to establish a home for his family in the west, and at the urging of his brothers, Hiram and John, he went to Montana in 1877. The May 4, 1877 issue of the Benton Record, lists WC Evans on the passenger list of the Benton which was to arrive shortly. In the May 11th issue, his is listed as a passenger, along with Mrs. Hannah Evans. Leaving his wife and child at West Bend in Palo Alto County, William C Evans accompanied his brother Winfield S and the latter's family, their mother being also a member of the party, overland to Yankton, South Dakota. There they became passengers on the steamboat BENTON of the Powers Line, and after thirty-five days reached Fort Benton, Montana, May 14 1877. The steamer was loaded with 400 tons of provisions for distribution from Fort Benton to Montana and Canadian points, and the passenger list included 135 adults and 30 children. He came to Fort Benton, Montana in May 1877. After 26 years in the Highwood area, the Bill Evans family left to move to eastern Montana. Those who came on the trip in 1903 were Bill & Kate Evans, his unmarried children, Myrtle, Elva and Earl, and Bob & Josephine Miller with son Robert, and Roy Evans with his new bride Belle who was Kate Evans daughter. While on this trip, at one point in the journey the entourage got lost and inquiring of someone they met, discovered they were in Canada. They may have been anywhere north and east of Havre, as they headed north first, intended to turn and go straight east towards Culbertson. Bill Evans and his brother Winfield went into the horse raising business, and trailed their horses east to North Dakota, where there was a good market for horses in the eastern part of the state, which was then being settled by farmers. When trailing their horses through eastern Montana they saw all the good buffalo grass in the area, and decided to move there where the grass was so good and where they would be closer to their horse market. So they moved their families,, household goods, cattle, horses, and everything they owned, to eastern Montana in 1903. Bob & Josephine Miller, who had been married on March 27, 1901 and their infant son, Robert, Jr. born March 22 1902, went with them. Mamie (Mary Evans) and George Reynolds with children Annie, Emma, Curtis, and Elva had come a year before. They all settled near what is now Bainville. The closest town at that time was Culbertson. The 1910 census has the Evans Neighbors as Roy Evans. (Belle, Elsie, Rose and Alice) Robert Miller (Josie, Robert, Gladys, and Nelson) William O Crusch (Marge D, Eric, Earl, Julius, Evert, and Eve). The new home they established was on Snake Creek, north of Bainville. Earl & Peggy Evans later lived on the Snake Creek Ranch. Earl built a lake by what was later known as the Vandeberg spring and Peggy sat in a boat on the lake with an umbrella and read. All the women in the county were jealous of her. Bainville, in Roosevelt County, is 8 miles from the North Dakota border. Bill Evans continued to use the "2E" brand after 1902, when he moved his interests to Eastern Montana and established his ranch near Snake Butte on Snake Creek, 8 miles north of the town of Bainville. In addition to operating the ranch on Snake Creek, he bought a place near Culbertson and started a dairy, and from that home Myrtle, Elva, and Earl Evans, Lela Scott and Annie Reynolds went to school in Culbertson. In August 1919, he sold his stock and ranch and moved to the town of Bainville. He built a barn just east of the school yard. From Obituaries: In the passing of William Curtis Evans whose death occurred January 12, 1930, at his home at Bainville, Montana. the state loses one of its most highly respected pioneer citizens. Three quarters of a century of a useful life was identified with the western frontier and devoted to the civilization and building of that empire. The family mourns the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father, the west that of a true pioneer, the State an honest and respected citizen and his friends and the community a revered associate who they affectionately called "Uncle Bill". Truly his experience and life constitutes a story of seventy five years of pioneering and we who follow little realize the hardships endured and sacrifices made in the building of what is now Montana. Mr. Evans had been confined to his bed for some time and his wife and five children were with him when the end came. The funeral services were held from the Methodist church on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Henry of Williston conducted the service. The Odd Fellows Lodge had charge of the services at the grave. Paul bearers were Wm. Powers, WF Rhea, HA McCracken, Fred Leonard, Victor Aspengren, and Fred Ring. The surviving members of his family are his widow, Mrs. Catherine Evans, and his five children, Mrs. Josephine Miller, LeRoy Evans, Mrs. Myrtle Barrett, Mrs. Elva Connolly, and Earl Evans, also 28 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren, most of whom live in Montana.
Notes for LUCINDA ST JOHN: In 1877, Lucinda's husband went to Montana and spent the summer working for IG Baker. She died before he returned for her in the fall (perhaps from diphtheria). Her two sons also died from diphtheria. Her favorite hymn was "Shall We Gather at the River". Notes for "LIBBIE" ELIZABETH C WHEALY: Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 262 line 38
River Press: Word reached town Sunday that the wife of WC Evans died at their ranch on Highwood on Saturday afternoon in childbirth. A casket was at once taken out by the messenger. The remains were brought in today, and the funeral conducted at the ME church, after which they were taken to Riverside cemetery. From Norman D. Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Libbie moved to Minnesota (from Eastern Canada) with her parents in 1864. She was reared in that state, acquired a liberal education and was a successful teacher before her marriage. At the time of William Curtis Evan's first wife's death, Libbie was boarding with her mother and was courted by WC Evans in Iowa. Occupation: School teacher (Source: Norman D Nelson.) Notes for CATHERINE ANN WALKER: Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 1920 Montana, Roosevelt Co. Bainville Twp, household 2, line 5 Catherine Ann Walker Schaap had children from a marriage previous to William C Evans. The Schaap children later adopted the name Scott because they were teased at school for their last name. Catherine and WC Evans had no children together. Catherine came from Grant County, Wisconsin. From Norman D Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Catherine Ann Walker was born in 1851 in Patoso, Wisconsin. She married Albert Schaap on Jun 24 1873. They lived for a while at West Bend, Iowa, then in 1882 they came to Montana on the Steamboat Benton as far as Bismarck, North Dakota, then transferred to the boat Helena, and reached Fort Benton on May 7, 1882. At that time they had four children, Esther (called Ettie), Tom, Bert, and May. May was the baby and her grandmother wished to keep her until they were settled. So they left her in Iowa and she grew up and married there. Her name is May Reardon. After being in Montana for two years, the family moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, where Albert Schaap had a contract to build Fort Macleod near that city. They had baby daughter, Belle, at this time. On the way to Canada, Ettie rolled off the wagon while sleeping, and when she was missed they had to go back three miles to find her. She was contentedly playing in the sand beside the trail. Then they had a daughter Lela and another little girl was born in Canada named Albertine (Allie). She moved to Montana sometime after her husband died (Jan 6 1890). She and the children could not keep enough firewood cut during the winter, so she turned her stove so that she could raise the window, stuck a tree through the opening, then opened the door in the end of the firebox on the cook stove and pushed the tree in there. She stuck a blanket on each side of the tree in the window to keep out the cold, and as the tree burned she kept pulling it in. On October 29, 1898 she married William Curtis Evans. At this time he lived 20 miles down Highwood Creek from the George Reynolds home. The day before the wedding the Reynolds family went down to help prepare for the occasion. Everyone was busy. Kate stirred up the bread sponge and put it in a big, round tin bread pan, with a cover that came to a peak in the center. She placed it on the floor behind the heating stove, as that was a nice warm spot. Curtis Reynolds, then 13 months old, discovered this pan, so he crawled up, sat down, and slid to the floor. The older children all thought this was so funny and laughed so hard, so he did it again a few times, then he was going down, the lid tipped and he slid into the sponge. This time, although the children still thought it was funny, Josie and Kate did not. Sometime after that there was a diphtheria epidemic, and Bell and Allie both had it at the same time. Belle was conscious but no one knew it, as she could not speak. Allie died while they were preparing for her burial, someone said "Wait perhaps Allie was not dead either, but just like her. She worried and grieved about that until she was older and understood Allie was really dead. WC, Roy, and Earl had to make the casket, take her to the cemetery, dig the hole and bury her at night because anyone who did not already have diphtheria was afraid of getting it. In 1903, William Curtis and Catherine Ann Evans moved to a ranch on Snake Creek north of Bainville. In 1919 they sold the ranch and moved to Bainville. Obituary: PIONEER MATRON CALLED TO DEATH MRS. CATHERINE EVANS, EARLY MONTANA PIONEER WHO CAME TO STATES BY BOAT IN 1882 PASSES AT BOZEMAN HOME LAST FRIDAY Mrs. Catherine Evans was born in Patoca, Wisconsin May 29, 1851, the daughter of John and Catherine Walker, moved when a girl to Iowa where she married Albert Scott, Jun 24, 1873. To this union were born nine children of which six are living. In 1882 they moved to Montana. They came up the Missouri River on the steam boat FORT BENTON to Bismark, North Dakota. They transferred from there on the HELENA and landed in Fort Benton, May 7th, 1882, lived there for two years, then moved with her husband to Fort McCloud, From there they moved to Lethbridge, Canada in 1886, where her husband was a contractor and built both of these forts. Her husband passed away January 6, 1890, that fall she moved with her family to a ranch east of Great Falls where they lived until the date of her marriage to William C Evans, Oct 26 1898. They lived in this locality until they moved their family to Snake Creek north of Bainville. In 1919 they sold their ranch and moved to Bainville where Mr. Evans died January 12, 1930. Mrs. Evans has made her home in Bainville since that time with the exception of the last year and a half which she spent in Bozeman, Montana. She is survived by six children, Mrs. Esther C Evans of Culbertson, Thomas W Scott of Bozeman, Bert J Scott of Highwood, Catherine Mae Reardon of Dickens, Iowa, Anna Belle Evans of Bozeman, Lela Elsie Vancil of Casper, Wyoming. There are two brothers and two sisters, JP Walker of Rodman, Iowa, JE Walker of Highwood, Maggie McFarland of West Bend, Iowa. Harry L Martin of Nampa, Idaho. Also twenty grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. The out of town relatives who attended the funeral were Mrs. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Reardon, Belle Evans, Lela Vancil, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan of Circle, Montana, Mrs. Harry Claire of Wolf Point, Mr. and Mrs. Breeden of Bozeman, Mrs. Ratledge of Wolf Point, Mr. and Mrs. Charles See of Buford, North Dakota. Rev. Agate preached the funeral service. The pall bearers were Bill Harmon, Nelson Miller, AD Picard, Albert Nelson, Curtis Reynolds, and HA McCracken. Children of WILLIAM EVANS and LUCINDA ST JOHN are:
Children of WILLIAM EVANS and "LIBBIE" WHEALY are:
7. WINFIELD SCOTT3 EVANS, SR (JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born May 26, 1852 in Marietta, Ohio (Source: Birth Location from Montana 1880 census), and died October 8, 1908 in Culbertson, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.). He married JANE ELIZABETH SLOAN July 11, 1873 in West Bend, Palo Alto County, Iowa (Source: 1900 Montana census), daughter of DAVID SLOAN and ELIZABETH FRITZ. She was born April 6, 1850 in Akron, Athens County, Ohio (Source: 1880 & 1900 Census), and died August 26, 1926 in Culbertson, Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 263 line 43 1900 Montana, Valley Co. Springdale Twp, household 4 line 24 The Evans hotel was built by Winfield Evans. He was called "Uncle Winnie". Norman D Nelson says Winfield was called "Tom" in Culbertson, Montana. May 14, 1877, Moved to Ft Benton, Montana Occupation: Ranchman Notes for JANE ELIZABETH SLOAN: Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 263 line 43 1900 Montana, Valley Co. Springdale Twp, household 4 line 24
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary - Obituary of Old Pioneer Mrs. Jane Evans Frye was born at Akron, Ohio, born April 6th 1848, being at the time of her death 78 years, 4 months, and 20 days old. At the age of nine she moved to Juno County, Wisconsin. On April 6, 1865, she was married to Elias Downing. To this union were born two children, Jennie Louise and David Martin. A widow for three years she later married W.S Evans, Sr July 11th, 1873 at West Bend, Iowa and to this union were born two children, Winfield Scott and Charles Sloan. In May 1877, the year following the Custer massacre, she came up the Missouri River on a steam boat with other pioneers and settled at Fort Benton where she resided until June 1896, when she moved to Culbertson, Montana, which has since been her home. It was while on the trail from Fort Benton to Culbertson that the true heart of the pioneer was tested to uttermost in trials and dangers of the new trail. The trip was made in prairie schooners and many times in crossing streams, especially the Milk River, it was only by untiring work and unfailing courage that the wagons were not swept away. Horsemen on both sides were necessary to guide the outfits across in safety. On October 8th, 1908, Mr. Evans died. She was then a widow until November 27, 1924, when she married Mr. EB Frye of Wales, North Dakota. She leaves to mourn her death her husband and three children. Mrs. JE Walker of Highwood, Montana, and Winfield Scott and Charles Sloan; seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. Children of WINFIELD EVANS and JANE SLOAN are:
Generation No. 48. "ANNIE" HANNAH4 EVANS (HIRAM3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born Abt 1879 in Holy Family Mission, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died January 21, 1971 in Badger Creek, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.). She married ADAM WHITEMAN 1895 in Holy Family Mission, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.), son of ? WHITEMAN and MANY-BUFFALO-ROCKS. He was born 1873 in Holy Family Mission, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died December 15, 1954 (Source: Rhonda Michael.). Hannah and Joe Evans were Blackfeet Indians. Both children were raised and attended school at the St. Peters Mission at Fort Shaw, Montana. Hannah was a very well educated lady and a very strong catholic. Both children were left at St. Peters Mission and it wasn't until they grow up that they lived on the Blackfeet Reservation. Source: Rhonda Michael St. Peters Mission Location: 16 miles west of Cascade, MT on the Mullan Road mid-way between the Dearborn and Sun Rivers. St. Peters Mission was established in 1884. On November 10, 1884, Mother Amadeau opened the Girls Boarding School. The first children were: Martha and Anna Brown, Mary Lewis. The Girls Indian School opened on March 7, 1885. The first children were: Kaminiki, Rose Couquette, Josepehine Langlois, Mona Tokomiski, Susie Russell. Other Indian Girls who attended St. Peters Mission (this list is no where complete): Lizzie Big Eyes, Ursula Cut Bank, Josephine Weatherwax, Mary Jane Hazlett, Anne Howard, Anne Brown, Mary Lahiche, Nancy Burd, Emmia Croft, Isabel Bear Chief. Francina Sleeping Bear, Susie Lard, Maggie Rose, Cecile Russell, and Hannah Annie Evans (my great-grandmother). White Girls who attended St. Peters Mission: Mollie Lewis, Martha & Annie Brown, Julie Wiegand, Louise and Millie Ford, Alice, Rose and Laura Aubrey, Agnes and Babe Moran, Clara Davis, Louisa Miller, Katie Hines, Mary Reed, Katie Pambrun, Mamie Furman, Sadie Smith, Marguerite Connelly, Anna Quigley, Lily Conrad, Alice Burd, Miss Curran, R. Ferris, Katie Tully, Mary and Rose Furman, Anna and Susan Kennelly, Flora Bergeron, Mary Lenihan, Etta and Clara Shanks, Edith and Adele Moore, Lizzie Tully, Mary Juneau, Jeannie Price, Katie Mahoney, Gracie Chene, Lida Ousley, Dora Keiley, Nellie Rand, Katie and Agnes Finnegan, Miss Clark, Alice Rand, Frankie Porter, R. and F. Schaeffer and Maud Allis, Lorena Young, Elizabeth Rowles. My Great Grand Mother Hannah "Annie" Evans was placed in the St. Peters Mission at a very young age, along with her brother Joe Evans. She was a half-breed Blackfeet, her mother was Strikes By Mistake or Annie Badoldman (in later years) and her father was Hiram Evans. Hannah stayed at St. Peters Mission until 1895 when she left with two of her friends and their parents Polite and Jessie Whiteman Pepion. The Pepion Family and Hannah returned to the Blackfeet Reservation, the first time Hannah had been away from the Mission. St. Peters Mission closed on November 12, 1918 due to fire destroying the buildings. Many Indian children from most of the reservations went to school here from 1884-1918. Primary Source: McBride, Sister Genevieve O.S.U., The Bird Tail, 1974 The Bird Tail, author Sister Genevieve McBride, O.S.U. Holy Family Mission Location: 14 miles south of Browning, MT on the Two Medicine River, the Blackfeet Reservation. Holy Family Mission was build with the help of the Katherine Drexel of Philadelphia, with the intention that it was to be an industrial school for full blood Indian children. The Mission was established in 1889 and was open for almost 50 years, closing in 1938. Children from all over the reservation attended school here. The Holy Family Cemetery is located east of the Mission site. Some of the early fur traders are buried there: Hugh Monroe, James Bird, Charles Chouquette, Charles Rivois, Louis Rivet or Reevis. Others buried there: Hannah Evans Whiteman, Adam Whiteman, John Hall, Alvin Hall, Alfred Lunak, Chewing-Blackbones, Agnes Chewing-Blackbones Mad Plume, Debbie Hall, Robert Hall, Merlin Hall, Jr. Source: Rhonda Michael Children of "ANNIE" EVANS and ADAM WHITEMAN are:
9. JOSEPH4 EVANS (HIRAM3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born 1873 (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died April 21, 1913 (Source: Rhonda Michael.). He married MARY "SELF KILLS" BITES July 2, 1895 in Holy Family Mission, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.), daughter of GEORGE BITES and KILLS NOTHING. Hannah and Joe Evans were Blackfeet Indians. Both children were raised and attended school at the St. Peters Mission at Fort Shaw, Montana. Hannah was a very well educated lady and a very strong catholic. Both children were left at St. Peters Mission and it wasn't until they grow up that they lived on the Blackfeet Reservation. Source: Rhonda Michael Children of JOSEPH EVANS and MARY BITES are:
10. MARY ALICE4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born April 29, 1861 in Soda Bar, Palo Alto County, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died April 30, 1941 in Bloomington, Illinois (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She married EDMUND O'CONNELL October 27, 1885 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 Child of MARY MULRONEY and EDMUND O'CONNELL is:
11. JOHN EDWARD4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born May 2, 1864 in Soda Bar, Palo Alto County, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died October 17, 1901 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married ANNIE FOLEY April 9, 1888 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 Children of JOHN MULRONEY and ANNIE FOLEY are:
12. WILLIAM VINCENT4 MULRONEY, SR (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born November 4, 1867 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census.), and died September 22, 1950 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married ELIZABETH HOWARD June 17, 1896 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Children of WILLIAM MULRONEY and ELIZABETH HOWARD are:
13. JOSEPH RICHARD4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 2, 1871 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died July 7, 1930 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married PAULINE SARAH HELLMAN June 12, 1895 in Galena, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 Children of JOSEPH MULRONEY and PAULINE HELLMAN are:
14. CHARLES HENNEBERY4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born September 19, 1875 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died October 7, 1982 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married ELEANOR HELLMAN in Galena, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). was born (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 More About CHARLES HENNEBERY MULRONEY: Occupation: Physician (Source: Norman D Nelson.) Children of CHARLES MULRONEY and ELEANOR HELLMAN are:
15. EDWARD CAMILLUS4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born July 18, 1877 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.), and died February 1, 1970 in Missoula, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping). He married MARY CAMILLA O'LEARY April 28, 1909 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She was born Abt 1882 in Iowa, and died March 21, 1966.
Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 1920 Montana, Missoula Co. Missoula, household 69 line 77 Ed Mulroney was an attorney in Missoula Montana. He graduated from University of Michigan Law School.
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary - EC Mulroney Edward C Mulroney, 92, of the Florence Hotel, a Spanish American War veteran and Missoula lawyer, died Sunday morning at a local hospital. Mr. Mulroney was born July 18, 1877, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and was a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He was a member of the bar in Michigan, Iowa, and Montana. He was dean of the legal profession in Montana and has been a judge advocate for the Montana Department of the US Spanish American War Veterans. He was a life member of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the Missoula Chamber of Commerce. Elks Hellgate Lodge No. 383 and he was a Gold Age Eagle. Mr. Mulroney was the last charter member of the Missoula council of the Knights of Columbus and served as grand knight in 1914. In 1905 he served in the ninth Montana Legislature and from 1909 until 1913 was Missoula County attorney. He is survived by three granddaughters, Mrs. Myron Pitch of Helena, Mrs. peter Lineberger of Newport, Rhode Island and Nancy Mulroney of Missoula; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Robert E Haugen of Missoula and a great grandson Thomas Pitch of Helena. His son, Thomas E Mulroney, with whom he had been associated in the practice of law, died May 21, 1964. Mrs. Mulroney died March 21, 1966. Rosary will be recited at 7:30 pm Tuesday in the Geraghty Funeral Chapel. funeral services will be at 10 am Wednesday in St Anthony Church. Burial will be in St Mary Cemetery with Missoula barracks 835 World War I Veterans providing an honor guard. Memorials may be made to the Thomas E Mulroney Endowment Fund at the University of Montana Law School. Spanish American War Veteran Occupation: Lawyer in Missoula Notes for MARY CAMILLA O'LEARY: Census Info:1920 Montana, Missoula Co. Missoula, household 69 line 77 Children of EDWARD MULRONEY and MARY O'LEARY are:
16. LOUIS AUGUSTINE4 MULRONEY (JANE MARY3 EVANS, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born March 4, 1879 in Fort Dodge, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died July 18, 1959 in Des Moines, Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married PEARL KLINE. Census Info:1880 Iowa, Webster Co. City of Fort Dodge, household 79 line 31 Child of LOUIS MULRONEY and PEARL KLINE is:
17. "DELLA" CLARA A4 EVANS (JOHN H3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born December 13, 1878 in Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She married CHARLES DUNLAP. Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 17 line 22 Children of "DELLA" EVANS and CHARLES DUNLAP are:
18. "MAMIE" MARY SOPHRONIA4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born August 24, 1870 in West Bend, Palo Alto County, Iowa (Source: Rhonda Michael.), and died June 7, 1927 in Bainville, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping). She married (1) JAMES W ROGERS March 9, 1886. He died May 20, 1891 in Fort Benton, Montana buried in Fort Benton Cemetery (Source: Family letter). She married (2) GEORGE M REYNOLDS February 27, 1893. He was born 1856 in England, and died April 1929 in Bainville, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping). Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 262 line 38 Mary was called "Aunt Mamie".
Notes for GEORGE M REYNOLDS: From Bainville paper: Jan 1856- April 1929 To George M Reynolds, retired Montana pioneer who has resided at Snake Butte north of here, death came after two years of illness. Born in England, raised there till manhood, he arrived in Highwood Montana in 1886; came with his family to Bainville area in 1904. He is survived by one son and two daughters, George Curtis Reynolds, Mrs. Eric Crusch and Mrs. Albert Nelson, of this vicinity. Children of "MAMIE" EVANS and JAMES ROGERS are:
Children of "MAMIE" EVANS and GEORGE REYNOLDS are:
19. JOSEPHINE ORILLA4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born December 28, 1878 in Fort Benton, Choteau County, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died March 29, 1963 in Culbertson, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping; Death announcement from funeral). She married (1) ROBERT MORGAN MILLER March 27, 1901 in Lower Highwood, Montana, son of JAMES MILLER and ELIZABETH KILLIAN. He was born March 14, 1863 in Dallas, Arkansas (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died June 30, 1937 in Helena, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping). She married (2) ARCHIE BROWN January 6, 1946 in Coram, Montana. He was born July 6, 1883 in Escanaba, Michigan (Source: Funeral Announcement.), and died January 14, 1966 in Bainville, Montana (Source: Death Announcement from the funeral). Click here to see our Miller Family Genealogy20. "ROY H" HENRY LEROY4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born November 10, 1881 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died December 10, 1942 in Bainville, Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married (1) "BELLE" ANNA BELLE "SCOTT" SCHAAP March 26, 1903 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.), daughter of ALBERT SCHAAP and CATHERINE WALKER. She was born June 12, 1887 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada (Source: Montana 1900 census.), and died August 31, 1968 in Bozeman, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.). He married (2) MILDRED GRAY July 2, 1920 (Source: Norman D Nelson.). She was born December 9, 1891 in Michigan (Source: Norman D Nelson.), and died May 3, 1988 in Fairfax, Virginia (Source: Norman D Nelson.).
Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39
Henry LeRoy Evans was known for the last 40 years of his life as Roy H. Evans More About "ROY H" HENRY LEROY EVANS: Occupation: Ranch Laborer Notes for "BELLE" ANNA BELLE "SCOTT" SCHAAP: Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 1920 Montana, Roosevelt Co. Bainville Twp, household 29 line 46
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary: Mrs. Leroy Evans Funeral services for Mrs. Leroy (Anna Belle) Evans, 82, of 405 South Eleventh, will be conducted at 2:30 pm Wednesday at the Dokken-Nelson Sunset Chapel. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Evans, resident of this area for 4 decades, died late Saturday, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital. She was born June 12 1886, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Scott, in Lethbridge, Canada, where her father was helping build Ford McCloud. She came to Fort Benton with her parents when a child. On March 26, 1903, she married Leroy Evans at Fort Benton and shortly after their marriage they went by covered wagon to the Culbertson area where they lived until 1928 when she moved to Bozeman. She had made her home here since then. Mrs. Evans was a member of the Rebekah Lodge No. 9 Grandmothers club, Grand Avenue Christian Church and Women's Missionary Group. Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Orville (Elsie) Wulff of Livingston, Mrs. John (Alice) Palm of Los Angeles, Mrs. Rose Harwood of Seattle and Mrs. Edna Breeden of Bozeman; a son William H Evans of Kennewick Washington; two sisters, Mrs. Lela Vancil of Casper, Wyoming and Mrs. Mae Reardon of Decorah Iowa; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. her husband, two brothers, a sister, a grand-daughter and a son, Leslie, preceded her in death.
Notes for MILDRED GRAY: From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary: MILDRED GRAY EVANS Mildred Gray Evans, 96 years of age, died May 3, 1988. She was born December 9, 1891 in Michigan. her father was commissioned as a missionary to South Africa by the church of England, so Mildred, at the age of 8, spent the next 9 years in the Union of South Africa. The Grays had several other children and three more were born in Africa, with one brother and one sister dying there. When the family returned, they settled in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Through a mutual friend she met H. LeRoy (Roy) Evans, whom she married on July 2, 1920 and come to Bainville to live. While in Bainville, she was an active member of the Methodist Church. She was a Sunday School teacher and its Superintendent, was church organist, sang in the choir and was a member of the Methodist WMF. During the 30's there was a government relief program that provided clothing for the county poor. Mildred was hired as one of the sewers. She was an extremely good seamstress. Later she worked for several years as Hot Lunch cook (the first) for the Bainville school at the Civic Center. Mildred and Roy had two children, Elizabeth Mildred, called Betty, and Richard LeRoy. Richard drowned in 1938 at the age of 12 and 3/4 years in the Bainville railroad reservoir. Betty working in the Washington DC area and married William Hall. They had one son, Richard Alan hall. After Roy's death December 20, 1942, Mildred left Bainville to live with Betty. She passed away Tuesday, may 3, in Fairfax, Virginia. Survivors are her daughter, Betty, grandson, Richard, one sister in Florida, three step-children, Bill Evans, Edna Evans Breedan, and Rose Evans Harwood, plus many nephews and nieces scattered everywhere. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 5, 1988 in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Vienna, Virginia. A committal service was held May 7, 1988 in Bainville, Montana at the Bainville Cemetery with Rev. Nolan Harmon officiating. Children of "ROY EVANS and "BELLE" SCHAAP are:
Children of "ROY EVANS and MILDRED GRAY are:
21. MYRTLE ISABEL4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 9, 1884 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died June 27, 1945 in Havre, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.). She married "BREM" BRENCHLEY EARNEST BARRETT December 4, 1907 in Culbertson, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), son of JOHN BARRETT and CAROLINE CORBIS. He was born May 19, 1878 in Twelveshead, Kea, Cornwall, England (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died October 10, 1955 in Malta, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping).
Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 1920 Montana, Garfield Co. School District 12, household 251 line 62
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary: PIONEER WOMAN IS LAID TO REST IN MALTA Funeral services were held in Malta June 29 for Mrs. BE Barrett, north Montana pioneer, who passed away at a Havre hospital June 27, after undergoing a major operation. Services were held in the Little White Church under the auspices of the Bell Funeral Home. Rev TE Kingsley officiated at the church services and the Sacajawea chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Barrett was a member, conducted rites at the graveside. Pallbearers were Mrs. Barrett's six son-in-law. Burial was in Malta cemetery. Myrtle Evans Barrett was born at Fort Benton, Dec 9, 1884. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. WC Evans, came to Fort Benton by steamboat in 1877 and engaged in ranching on Highwood Creek near that place until 1903. In 1903 the Evans family moved from Fort Benton to a ranch in the vicinity of Culbertson, trailing their herd of stock across the northern parts of what are now Choteau, Hill, Phillips and Valley Counties. Mrs. Barrett, then a young girl, assisted in the trailing of the cattle. The country through which they passed on this trek is now mostly farming country, but at that time there was only an occasional stock ranch in the territory and the Evans family carried their own camp equipment with them. They traveled part of the time in Montana and part of the time through the southern part of Saskatchewan. Considerable time was required to make the trip, The distance covered each day being governed by the location of watering places for the stock and the distance the animals could be grazed. After completing her education, Mrs. Barrett taught the Plentywood School for a time and later taught the school at Leedy in the southern part of what is now Phillips County. It was at the latter place she met Mr. Barrett to who she married Dec 4, 1907. The Barretts established their home in Garfield county where they engaged in ranching for 25 years. They moved to the southern part of Phillips county in 1929 locating on the Joe Legg ranch on the Missouri River. After construction of the Fort Peck Dam they were compelled to relinquish their place. They purchased the Tom Stratton Ranch at Telegraph Creek and were living there at the time of Mrs. Barrett's death. One of the interesting incidents of Mrs. Barrett's life was her baptism by the Rev Van Orsdel, or "Brother Van" the pioneer minister of Montana. Mrs. Barrett was a typical pioneer woman, raised in the best traditions of the old west, loved and respected by all who knew her. Besides a host of friends, Mrs. Barrett leaves to mourn her loss her husband BE Barrett, six sons-in-law and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. John Overgard, Brandenburg; Mr. and Mrs. Philip Phelman (sic), Jordan; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pierson, Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weiderrick, Regina; Mr. and Mrs. John Ryan, Drussett; Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Boyce, Phillips; two sisters and one brother, Mrs. Josephine Miller and Mrs. Elva Connolly of Coram and Earl Evans of Lake city, Michigan, and several grandchildren. Two sons preceded her in death, Emery Ernest in 1910 and Brenchley in 1939. Occupation: school teacher Notes for "BREM" BRENCHLEY EARNEST BARRETT: Census Info:1920 Montana, Garfield Co. School District 12, household 251 line 62 Brem came to the US at 18 months with his parents.
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary: BREM BARRETT'S FUNERAL HELD HERE THURSDAY Last rites for Brenchley E (Brem) Barrett, were held Thursday afternoon at the Little White church with Rev. James Ewing officiating. Burial was in the Malta cemetery. Mr. Barrett died at his home Oct 10 after a long illness. During the services at the flower-filled church Mrs. JW Campbell and Miss Jeanne Knutson sane two hymns, accompanied by Mrs. Bruce Garlinghouse at the organ. Pallbearers were William Cotter, Edwin Johnston, Amos Kelly, Ed Ferm, Steve Holman and Fred L Robinson. As the funeral cortege left the church a mounted guard of honor from the Phillips County Saddle club accompanied the hearse. Members of the guard of honor were Henry Compton, Sid Moir, Dave LaFond and NJ Boothe. A large group of Malta Masons attended the service and Masonic rites were conducted at the graveside. Out-of-town relatives here for the services were Mr. Barrett's brothers, WL Barrett of Cascade and John Barrett of Missoula; his sisters, Mrs. Ethel Bean and Mrs. Lyla Everl of Augusta; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Brown of Bainville and nieces and nephews from Augusta and Bainville. All the surviving daughters and their husbands and all but two of the deceased's 16 grandchildren were present for the services. The daughters are Mrs. Elizabeth Overgaard of Cushman, Mrs. Ethel Fellman and Mrs. Shirley Ryan of Jordan, Mrs. Clara Pierson of Billings and Mrs. Gladys Wiederrick and Mrs. Beatrice Boyce of Malta.
Obituary: COLORFUL MALTA OLD TIMER, RANCHER, B BARRETT, DIES MALTA - One of the most colorful of the old timers, Brenchley E (Brem) Barrett, who had lived practically all of his 77 years in northern Montana ranching areas, died at his Telegraph Creek ranch after an illness of several months. Funeral services with Masonic rites will be held Thursday at 2 pm at the Little White church. At the age of 13 Brem Barrett became a ranch hand and apprentice cowboy in the Augusta area. He worked for well known cattle outfits on Squaw Creek and in the Jordan area, rode the rough string for the Quarter Circle Q, married the "lady school teacher" reared his family on a ranch south of the Missouri river, moved to the old Joe Legg place north of the river in Phillips county in 1929 and, when the rising waters of Fort Peck reservoir flooded out his holdings there in 1943, bought a ranch on Telegraph Creek and continued in the stock business until the time of his death. Barrett was born at Twelveshead, Cornwall, England, May 19, 1878. His father immigrated to the United States and when Barrett was 18 months old his mother brought the children to join her husband in the west. The family made the trip to Ogden, Utah, by train where they were met by the father. From there the trip to Maryville, Montana, early day mining camp, was made by covered wagon. After several years at Maryville, the Barretts moved to Flat Creek near Augusta where the family home remained. At the age of 13 Brem began working on neighboring ranches and in 1902 he and his brother, John, trailed a herd of cattle from the Augusta country to Squaw Creek in central Montana. The brother remained about two years but Brem stayed and established a ranch. On Dec 4, 1907, he married at Culbertson to myrtle Evans, who had been teaching school near his ranch. The following spring they moved to Lone Tree, 30 miles west of Jordan, where they settled and reared their family. Mrs. Barrett died in 1945. He is survived by six daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Overgard of Cushman, Mrs. Ethel Fellman and Mrs. Shirley Ryan of Jordan, Mrs. Clar Pierson of Billings, Mrs. Gladys Wiederrick and Mrs. Beatrice Boyce of Malta, four sisters, Mrs. Carry Bean, Mrs. Ethel Bean and Mrs. Lyla Eberl of Augusta and Mrs. Mabel Wake of Butts; three brothers, WL Barrett of Great Falls, Garnet Barrett of Cascade and John Barrett of Missoula, 16 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Barrett was a member of the Malta Masonic Lodge No. 57 of Algeria Shrine in Helena, the Phillips County saddle club and the Range Riders of Miles City. More About "BREM" BRENCHLEY EARNEST BARRETT:
Children of MYRTLE EVANS and "BREM" BARRETT are:
22. ELVA EDITH4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 9, 1886 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died August 24, 1951 in Coram, Montana (Source: Rhonda Michael.). She married "JACK" PATRICK JOHN CONNOLLY February 12, 1905 (Source: Robert E Miller.), son of JACK CONNOLLY and ?. He was born July 29, 1885 in Highwood, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died February 11, 1964 in Montana (Source: SSN internet site.). Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 1920 Montana, Flathead Co. Columbia Twp, household 37 line 75 Elva Evans is buried at Whitefish, Montana. Notes for "JACK" PATRICK JOHN CONNOLLY: Census Info:1920 Montana, Flathead Co. Columbia Twp, household 37 line 75 More About "JACK" PATRICK JOHN CONNOLLY: Occupation: Lumberman Children of ELVA EVANS and "JACK" CONNOLLY are:
23. "EARL" HOWARD EARL4 EVANS (WILLIAM CURTIS3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born January 11, 1888 in Fort Benton, Montana (Source: Robert E Miller.), and died February 3, 1970 in Wolf Point, Montana (Source: Newspaper clipping). He married "PEGGY" EUPHEMIA BOYD March 22, 1911 in Williston, North Dakota (Source: Robert E Miller.). She died April 6, 1965 in Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.).
Census Info:1900 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 450 line 39 Earl sold and shipped Montana range horses. He traveled across the US participating in rodeos and was a member of several Wild West shows.
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: Obituary: TERRITORIAL DAYS COWBOY DIES IN WOLF POINT, AGE 82 Wolf Point - A prominent Montana cowboy, Earl Evans, 82, died at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point. He was born in Montana Territory at Fort Benton January 12, 1888, and at the age of 15, his family trailed with cattle from fort Benton to eastern Montana to what is now Bainville. They ranched north of Snake Creek. He finished his schooling in Culbertson and started ranching in the Snake Creek area. From 1915-1921, he worked for the BE Barrett ranch in the Jordan area and in 1921 went to fort Keough near Miles city, where he broke horses for the US Cavalry. At that time, fort Keough was a cavalry remount station. while there, he began his rodeo career. In 1926 he began shipping horses and selling Montana range horses throughout the United States. He traveled across the nation participating in rodeos and also was a member of several Wild West shows when they were popular. He retired about 10 years ago. A son, Joseph, Kissimmee, Florida is an active horse breaker. Another son, John, lives in Tavares, Florida. Evans married Peggy Boyd at Williston, North Dakota in 1909. Services will be at 2 pm Friday at Everson-Clayton Chapel in Culbertson, burial in Bainville Cemetery.
Obituary: EARL EVANS, COWBOY, DIES IN WOLF POINT Earl Evans, 82, a prominent Montana Cowboy and descendent of pioneer Montana citizens died Monday, February 2 in Faith Lutheran Home, Wolf Point. Funeral services were held Friday at the Everson-Clayton Memorial Chapel in Culbertson with Rev Ray Nefzger officiating. burial was in the Bainville Cemetery. Mr. Evans was born January 12, 1888 at Fort Benton, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Evans. He lived in fort Benton until his family trailed with cattle to Bainville when he was 15. They ranched on Snake Creek north of Bainville and he attended Culbertson schools. From 1915 - 1921 he worked at the BE Barrett ranch near Jordan. In 1921 he started breaking horses for the US Cavalry in Fort Keogh. In 1926 he began his career selling and shipping Montana range horses. At the same time he started working as a cowboy on the rodeo circuit and in wild west shows. He retired about 10 years ago and entered Faith Lutheran Home three years ago. He married Peggy Boyd in Williston, ND in 1909. She died in 1965. Survivors include two sons, Joseph D, Kissimmee, Florida and John, Tavares, Florida, and a grandson, George E Evans of Colorado Springs, Colorado. More About "PEGGY" EUPHEMIA BOYD: Occupation: nurse (Source: Norman D Nelson.) Children of "EARL" EVANS and "PEGGY" BOYD are:
24. "JACK" WINFIELD SCOTT4 EVANS, JR (WINFIELD SCOTT3, JEREMIAH KNIFFEN2, JOHN1) was born February 14, 1875 in Benton County, Iowa (Source: 1880 Census), and died July 11, 1938 (Source: Norman D Nelson.). He married "ETTIE" ESTHER G "SCOTT" SCHAAP Abt 1895 in Highland, Montana (Source: Norman D Nelson.), daughter of ALBERT SCHAAP and CATHERINE WALKER. She was born April 21, 1874 in Iowa (Source: Norman D Nelson.), and died February 27, 1952 (Source: Norman D Nelson.). Census Info:1880 Montana, Choteau Co. Fort Benton, household 263 line 43 1900 Montana, Valley Co. Springdale Twp, household 4 line 24 1930 Montana, Roosevelt Co. School District 12 Culbertson, household 18 line 76
From Norman Nelson's book William Curtis Evans: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT I, Winfield S Evans, Jr of the age of Thirty-five years, a resident of Valley county, State of Montana, being of sound mind, and discretion, have deemed it best to make, and do hereby make and declare this, my last will and testament. First, It is my will that all my personal debts and expenses of my last sickness, and the charges of my funeral be paid, as soon as possible after my death, and I leave the charges of my last sickness and funeral to my beloved family, and to my beloved wife, Esther G Evans. Second, I give, and devise all of my estate, real and personal, in the following manner: To my beloved wife, Esther G Evans, of the age of Thirty five years, who has been my loving helpmate, and who has so ably assisted me, in the accumulation of what property I may now own, or may own at the time of my death. I do hereby give and bequeath all of my property both real and personal to her undivided use and benefit to be held and owned by her without reservation of any kind, for the use of herself, and my beloved family, who may be living at the time of my death subject to the reservations hereinafter made in this, my last will and testament. My children who are now living are named as follows:
I do hereby ask and request that my wife give to each of the said children whatever education she can possibly bestow on them, and that she see they are raised and cared for properly and that the said children, until they shall have reached their majority be taken care of the same as I might or could do if I were personally present living with them and her, and I do hereby ask that the Court appoint my wife, Esther G Evans, executrix, of my estate, without bond, to handle and dispose of my estate, in the manner provided for in this will. In the case of the marriage of my wife, after my death, I do hereby ask and decree, and devise, that the said estate shall be divided, and that my wife shall receive one-half of my estate or whatever shall remain at the time of my death; and that the other one-half of my estate both real and personal, be divided equally among my living children. This provision and reservation is made with the understanding that all property willed by me in this will to my wife, after my death, shall in the case of her marriage after my death, refer one half to her, and the other one-half to my living children in equal shares. To my brother, Charles S Evans, I give and devise one pet saddle horse known as Two By Four, to be held, by him as he sees fit. To my beloved mother, Jane E Evans, I give and devise one gray work horse, named Duke, to be held, and owned by her, in any way she may desire, this gift being given to my mother simply as a remembrance for the many kind deeds, and dutiful care she has bestowed upon me during the years of my boy-hood life. I do hereby ask that my property and estate be settled and fixed in such a manner as the Court and my beloved wife, Esther G Evans, shall determine, after my decease. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of February AD 1910 and do hereby execute the same in the presents of the subscribing witnesses and by this act do declare and publish this my last will and testament. Signed and witnessed by H.D. Edmunds and C.E. Comer, both of Culbertson. Children of "JACK" EVANS and "ETTIE" SCHAAP are:
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