BIO: Joseph H. EVANS, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 213-214. _________________________________________________________________ JOSEPH H. EVANS. This leading and representative citizen of Beaver, Pa., is well known as one of the most extensive oil producers in Western Pennsylvania, and has built up by energy and strict integrity an excellent reputation, and amassed a handsome fortune. Mr. Evans is truly the architect of his own fortune, and his present enviable position is due wholly to his thrift, foresight, and good business methods. Few men so completely hold the confidence and esteem of the public as he, and his standing is deservedly high. He was born May 16, 1851, in Venango county, Pa., and is a son of John and Mary (Kiser) Evans. John Evans left Westmoreland county, Pa., while still a young man, and located in Clarion county, where his marriage with Mary Kiser occurred. Mrs. Evans is a daughter of Joseph Kiser and has proved herself a valuable aid to her husband in his various business enterprises. John Evans was a very industrious man and for many years followed lumbering and rafting, becoming an expert river pilot. After amassing a considerable sum of money, he purchased a tract of timber land and engaged in clearing it, - making the most he could from the lumber. This tract was situated along the banks of Paint Creek, Clarion county, where Mr. Evans also built a saw mill and was occupied not only in manufacturing lumber from his own timber, but in doing similar work for his neighbors. His mill was largely patronized and he continued to operate it until 1869, when he sold out and removed to Elk River, Sherburne county, Minn., where he purchased a fine farm and followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. There his death took place at the age of sixty-five years. His widow still survives him, and now resides in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Evans in his business ventures prospered even beyond his expectations, and at the time of his death, the large and valuable estate he left insured a competency to the family of loved ones left behind. The following children were born to him and his devoted wife, and they all grew to manhood and womanhood: Mrs. E. A. Clelland; Mrs. Emily Deekey; Mrs. Sarah J. Shaw; Mrs. Susan J. Wallace, deceased; Bradford; John Henry; Joseph H., the subject of this sketch; Charles Wesley, deceased; and Harrison Lincoln, also deceased. Joseph H. Evans attended public school until he attained the age of sixteen years. Then he began manual labor by drawing oil in barrels, from Shamburg to Pithole. Subsequently he went to Minnesota with his father, and engaged in the lumber business, as a partner in the firm of Chase & Pillsbury, 214 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of Minneapolis. The company contracted for lumber jobs and continued in that line of work until 1876, when Mr. Evans withdrew and returned to the Keystone State, settling in Elk City, where he formed a company, styled Kiser & Evans, leased his grandfather's farm, and began putting down oil wells. His first well yielded 125 barrels per day, bringing $4.25 per barrel, and proved to be one of the best wells in Clarion county. In 1877, Mr. Evans sold his interest in this enterprise and operated oil wells at Bradford, McKean county, Pa., until 1886. The following three years he was associated with Mr. Fitzgibbons; since which period he has been a member of the Devonian Oil Co., which consists of the following men: C. B. Collins; J. R. Leonard; J. D. Downing; and J. H. Evans. The company owns some 300 wells in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, all in successful operation. In 1882, Mr. Evans became associated with the Bradford Exchange, and speculated in oil some four years. He is a member of the Victor Oil & Gas Co.; the Superior Oil Co.; he is also a stockholder of the Beaver Mining Company. Mr. Evans can be found at his office on the corner of Wood and Fourth streets, in Pittsburg, where all his business is transacted. In 1890, he went to Beaver, Pa., and purchased a fine residence on College avenue. This residence was built by Mr. Tallow. After visiting many places in Western Pennsylvania, Mr. Evans wisely decided that the borough of Beaver, with its convenient location, its fine streets and splendid school, was the most suitable location to be found for a permanent home. In 1895, he purchased the corner lot of Wilson avenue and Third street, a very desirable location, and built one of the finest modern brick residences in this part of the state. The brick for this dwelling was manufactured by the Alluma Shell Brick Company, of which company Mr. Evans is a stock-holder; it does quite an extensive business in manufacturing all kinds of pressed brick. In addition to the property above described, Mr. Evans owns several lots and tenement houses in Beaver, and has taken an active interest in the progress and development of his adopted town. The subject of this sketch sought and won for his life partner, Jennie Donaldson, a charming lady, of Knox, Pennsylvania. This happy union was blessed with one son, Harry C., and one daughter, May a, both of whom are students. Mr. Evans is a stanch Republican, but never sought office; he is a Mason of high degree, being a member of Beaver Lodge, F. & A. M.; a R. A. M., of No. I Commandery, Knights Templar, of Pittsburg; of the Consistory; and of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pittsburg. His beautiful home ever extends a hearty welcome to his many friends, and all his circumstances and surroundings are of the most desirable kind. In personal relations Mr. Evans is exceedingly genial and enjoys the utmost popularity. As a business man, he is broad and liberal, yet shrewd and far-seeing, as well. He is a good financier and manager, as his notable prosperity clearly evidences.