Evans Township, Marshall Co., is named for Joshua Evans an early settler on Sandy Creek. Joshua was the 6th child of Thomas and Rhoda Evans. He married Elizabeth Radcliff in Licking County, Ohio. Although local histories put the wedding date as 1816, it was registered in Licking Co. on July 9, 1817. Joshua and Elizabeth had 9 children - the last 3 born in Marshall County, IL, where the family moved in 1830.
Soon after their arrival, Joshua hired Patrick Cunningham, who settled the prior year, to build him a log house. In 1831 Joshua and Elizabeth joined the Methodist class of 11 people, the first religious society in Evans. From May 1832 until late spring of 1833 while the Blackhawk War was in progress, he and his family helped build and took refuge at Fort Darnell. Joshua was among the men who voted in the first election held at Sandy precinct on March 30th, 1833. Also, in December, 1833, Elizabeth gave birth to twins.
Joshua staked his claim along the banks of Sandy Creek before the land was surveyed by the government, so his farm did not conform to the section rectangles set forth by government surveyors. It spanned both sides of the creek in section 10 and part of section 3. According to Illinois public domain land sale records Joshua purchased his homestead in 1838. His sons William and Albert Evans purchased adjoining parcels in sections 3, 11, and 12 in during 1849 and 1850. Seen on an 1873 Evans Twp. plat map, Sandy's Methodist church and a school were on Joshua's acreage.
In 1834 two saw mills were built on Sandy Creek - one on Joshua's land. Joshua's brother John joined him on Sandy in 1834, and set up a turning lathe on which he made chairs with split bottoms, and turned table legs among other household goods. In their youth, Joshua and John had served together from June 1, 1812 until May 31, 1813 with Capt. John Spencer's company of Ohio volunteers riflemen, Newark, Third regiment.
By 1838 John procured property in nearby Livingston Co., IL and moved his family to Long Point.
Elizabeth's life was cut short by a smallpox epidemic in 1843. Her daughter-in-law, Jane Alexander Evans and newborn child died two weeks later. Eight years later, Joshua married Elizabeth Parks widow of Justus Jones. They had one child, Francis "Fannie" Evans. (5/30/2016)
See: "Old Sandy Remembers" Celebrating Illinois Sesquicentennial, Marshall County Historical Society, 1968.
See: C. A. Darnell, “Benjamin Darnell, Fort Darnell, and Early Settlers of Marshall County,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Oct.,1934), pp. 297-329., University of Illinois Press.
Numerous articles appear in The Wenona Index and The Henry Republican among others.
The following biography is from Records Of The Olden Time, Spencer Ellsworth, 1880, Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment, Lacon, IL.
****************
"Mr. Evans was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, Jan. 5th, 1793. When he was about eight years old, his father Thomas Evans, died, leaving his mother, Rhoda, a widow with eight children, six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was not over sixteen years old. A tract of land was owned by the family, but very little had been done in the way of clearing off the heavy timber that covered it, and when cleared the soil was sterile. In 1803 the widow abandoned the Virginia home, not having been able to effect any sale, and removed with her family to Licking county, Ohio.
At the age of 19, Joshua enlisted in the army and served in the war of 1812–13. He belonged to the regiment commanded by [Colonel] Lewis Cass and during the latter part of the war served in the war as quartermaster. He was among the unfortunate victims of General Hull's treacherous and cowardly surrender [of Detroit], and could never refer to that incident of the war without expressing his indignation.
In 1816 he was married to Elizabeth Radcliff, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. His three sons, William, Albert, and Rev. J.G., are still living, and now reside in Evans township. Three of the daughters grew to womanhood and are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Alexander [Sarah], resides in Magnolia, Putnam county, one in Nebraska [Mrs. Almira Jane Burr], and the third in Michigan [Mrs. Susan Stimson].
In 1824 Mr. Evans joined the M.E. church of which he remained a member until his death, and most of the time held some official relation in the church. In 1830 he removed to Illinois and settled at Cherry Point, then in LaSalle county. His undoubted and unquestionable veracity won the confidence of his neighbors among whom he always maintained a high standing. He had no advantages for an education, his entire school privileges extended through only a part of one winter. He was, however, a man of very sound judgment and was very accurate in his business. His memory was unusually good, and he read men so readily that he was not often deceived. He was industrious and economical, and was among the best of the early farmers in Evans township. He settled at Cherry Point because he thought the prairies around the grove would not be settled for many generations and his descendants could have ample range for their stock, but he lived to see every quarter section for many miles from his residence occupied. He was very accommodating to those who he thought deserved help, and determined that question wholly by the answer to two inquiries. Is he honest? Will he work? If he thought a man to be lazy or dishonest he would give him neither sympathy nor assistance in any way, but if he believed him honest and industrious he was always ready to accommodate. He was for many years before his death the oldest settler in the township and was honored as such by his neighbors. In 1850 when the township organization in Marshall county was effected, the people at a public meeting, chose the name of Evans for the town as a compliment to him.
In politics he was an ardent Whig and usually took an active interest in the political campaigns. He was one of the delegates from Marshall county to the senatorial convention at which Robert Boal was nominated for the state senate. When the Whig party was abandoned he became a Republican and voted that ticket until his death. He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers of this and surrounding counties.
In 1853 [Dec. 2, 1851] Mr. Evans married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Brown, a resident of this township. He died January 15th, 1869."
Soon after their arrival, Joshua hired Patrick Cunningham, who settled the prior year, to build him a log house. In 1831 Joshua and Elizabeth joined the Methodist class of 11 people, the first religious society in Evans. From May 1832 until late spring of 1833 while the Blackhawk War was in progress, he and his family helped build and took refuge at Fort Darnell. Joshua was among the men who voted in the first election held at Sandy precinct on March 30th, 1833. Also, in December, 1833, Elizabeth gave birth to twins.
Joshua staked his claim along the banks of Sandy Creek before the land was surveyed by the government, so his farm did not conform to the section rectangles set forth by government surveyors. It spanned both sides of the creek in section 10 and part of section 3. According to Illinois public domain land sale records Joshua purchased his homestead in 1838. His sons William and Albert Evans purchased adjoining parcels in sections 3, 11, and 12 in during 1849 and 1850. Seen on an 1873 Evans Twp. plat map, Sandy's Methodist church and a school were on Joshua's acreage.
In 1834 two saw mills were built on Sandy Creek - one on Joshua's land. Joshua's brother John joined him on Sandy in 1834, and set up a turning lathe on which he made chairs with split bottoms, and turned table legs among other household goods. In their youth, Joshua and John had served together from June 1, 1812 until May 31, 1813 with Capt. John Spencer's company of Ohio volunteers riflemen, Newark, Third regiment.
By 1838 John procured property in nearby Livingston Co., IL and moved his family to Long Point.
Elizabeth's life was cut short by a smallpox epidemic in 1843. Her daughter-in-law, Jane Alexander Evans and newborn child died two weeks later. Eight years later, Joshua married Elizabeth Parks widow of Justus Jones. They had one child, Francis "Fannie" Evans. (5/30/2016)
See: "Old Sandy Remembers" Celebrating Illinois Sesquicentennial, Marshall County Historical Society, 1968.
See: C. A. Darnell, “Benjamin Darnell, Fort Darnell, and Early Settlers of Marshall County,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Oct.,1934), pp. 297-329., University of Illinois Press.
Numerous articles appear in The Wenona Index and The Henry Republican among others.
The following biography is from Records Of The Olden Time, Spencer Ellsworth, 1880, Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment, Lacon, IL.
****************
"Mr. Evans was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, Jan. 5th, 1793. When he was about eight years old, his father Thomas Evans, died, leaving his mother, Rhoda, a widow with eight children, six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was not over sixteen years old. A tract of land was owned by the family, but very little had been done in the way of clearing off the heavy timber that covered it, and when cleared the soil was sterile. In 1803 the widow abandoned the Virginia home, not having been able to effect any sale, and removed with her family to Licking county, Ohio.
At the age of 19, Joshua enlisted in the army and served in the war of 1812–13. He belonged to the regiment commanded by [Colonel] Lewis Cass and during the latter part of the war served in the war as quartermaster. He was among the unfortunate victims of General Hull's treacherous and cowardly surrender [of Detroit], and could never refer to that incident of the war without expressing his indignation.
In 1816 he was married to Elizabeth Radcliff, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. His three sons, William, Albert, and Rev. J.G., are still living, and now reside in Evans township. Three of the daughters grew to womanhood and are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Alexander [Sarah], resides in Magnolia, Putnam county, one in Nebraska [Mrs. Almira Jane Burr], and the third in Michigan [Mrs. Susan Stimson].
In 1824 Mr. Evans joined the M.E. church of which he remained a member until his death, and most of the time held some official relation in the church. In 1830 he removed to Illinois and settled at Cherry Point, then in LaSalle county. His undoubted and unquestionable veracity won the confidence of his neighbors among whom he always maintained a high standing. He had no advantages for an education, his entire school privileges extended through only a part of one winter. He was, however, a man of very sound judgment and was very accurate in his business. His memory was unusually good, and he read men so readily that he was not often deceived. He was industrious and economical, and was among the best of the early farmers in Evans township. He settled at Cherry Point because he thought the prairies around the grove would not be settled for many generations and his descendants could have ample range for their stock, but he lived to see every quarter section for many miles from his residence occupied. He was very accommodating to those who he thought deserved help, and determined that question wholly by the answer to two inquiries. Is he honest? Will he work? If he thought a man to be lazy or dishonest he would give him neither sympathy nor assistance in any way, but if he believed him honest and industrious he was always ready to accommodate. He was for many years before his death the oldest settler in the township and was honored as such by his neighbors. In 1850 when the township organization in Marshall county was effected, the people at a public meeting, chose the name of Evans for the town as a compliment to him.
In politics he was an ardent Whig and usually took an active interest in the political campaigns. He was one of the delegates from Marshall county to the senatorial convention at which Robert Boal was nominated for the state senate. When the Whig party was abandoned he became a Republican and voted that ticket until his death. He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers of this and surrounding counties.
In 1853 [Dec. 2, 1851] Mr. Evans married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Brown, a resident of this township. He died January 15th, 1869."
Evans Township, Marshall Co., is named for Joshua Evans an early settler on Sandy Creek. Joshua was the 6th child of Thomas and Rhoda Evans. He married Elizabeth Radcliff in Licking County, Ohio. Although local histories put the wedding date as 1816, it was registered in Licking Co. on July 9, 1817. Joshua and Elizabeth had 9 children - the last 3 born in Marshall County, IL, where the family moved in 1830.
Soon after their arrival, Joshua hired Patrick Cunningham, who settled the prior year, to build him a log house. In 1831 Joshua and Elizabeth joined the Methodist class of 11 people, the first religious society in Evans. From May 1832 until late spring of 1833 while the Blackhawk War was in progress, he and his family helped build and took refuge at Fort Darnell. Joshua was among the men who voted in the first election held at Sandy precinct on March 30th, 1833. Also, in December, 1833, Elizabeth gave birth to twins.
Joshua staked his claim along the banks of Sandy Creek before the land was surveyed by the government, so his farm did not conform to the section rectangles set forth by government surveyors. It spanned both sides of the creek in section 10 and part of section 3. According to Illinois public domain land sale records Joshua purchased his homestead in 1838. His sons William and Albert Evans purchased adjoining parcels in sections 3, 11, and 12 in during 1849 and 1850. Seen on an 1873 Evans Twp. plat map, Sandy's Methodist church and a school were on Joshua's acreage.
In 1834 two saw mills were built on Sandy Creek - one on Joshua's land. Joshua's brother John joined him on Sandy in 1834, and set up a turning lathe on which he made chairs with split bottoms, and turned table legs among other household goods. In their youth, Joshua and John had served together from June 1, 1812 until May 31, 1813 with Capt. John Spencer's company of Ohio volunteers riflemen, Newark, Third regiment.
By 1838 John procured property in nearby Livingston Co., IL and moved his family to Long Point.
Elizabeth's life was cut short by a smallpox epidemic in 1843. Her daughter-in-law, Jane Alexander Evans and newborn child died two weeks later. Eight years later, Joshua married Elizabeth Parks widow of Justus Jones. They had one child, Francis "Fannie" Evans. (5/30/2016)
See: "Old Sandy Remembers" Celebrating Illinois Sesquicentennial, Marshall County Historical Society, 1968.
See: C. A. Darnell, “Benjamin Darnell, Fort Darnell, and Early Settlers of Marshall County,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Oct.,1934), pp. 297-329., University of Illinois Press.
Numerous articles appear in The Wenona Index and The Henry Republican among others.
The following biography is from Records Of The Olden Time, Spencer Ellsworth, 1880, Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment, Lacon, IL.
****************
"Mr. Evans was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, Jan. 5th, 1793. When he was about eight years old, his father Thomas Evans, died, leaving his mother, Rhoda, a widow with eight children, six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was not over sixteen years old. A tract of land was owned by the family, but very little had been done in the way of clearing off the heavy timber that covered it, and when cleared the soil was sterile. In 1803 the widow abandoned the Virginia home, not having been able to effect any sale, and removed with her family to Licking county, Ohio.
At the age of 19, Joshua enlisted in the army and served in the war of 1812–13. He belonged to the regiment commanded by [Colonel] Lewis Cass and during the latter part of the war served in the war as quartermaster. He was among the unfortunate victims of General Hull's treacherous and cowardly surrender [of Detroit], and could never refer to that incident of the war without expressing his indignation.
In 1816 he was married to Elizabeth Radcliff, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. His three sons, William, Albert, and Rev. J.G., are still living, and now reside in Evans township. Three of the daughters grew to womanhood and are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Alexander [Sarah], resides in Magnolia, Putnam county, one in Nebraska [Mrs. Almira Jane Burr], and the third in Michigan [Mrs. Susan Stimson].
In 1824 Mr. Evans joined the M.E. church of which he remained a member until his death, and most of the time held some official relation in the church. In 1830 he removed to Illinois and settled at Cherry Point, then in LaSalle county. His undoubted and unquestionable veracity won the confidence of his neighbors among whom he always maintained a high standing. He had no advantages for an education, his entire school privileges extended through only a part of one winter. He was, however, a man of very sound judgment and was very accurate in his business. His memory was unusually good, and he read men so readily that he was not often deceived. He was industrious and economical, and was among the best of the early farmers in Evans township. He settled at Cherry Point because he thought the prairies around the grove would not be settled for many generations and his descendants could have ample range for their stock, but he lived to see every quarter section for many miles from his residence occupied. He was very accommodating to those who he thought deserved help, and determined that question wholly by the answer to two inquiries. Is he honest? Will he work? If he thought a man to be lazy or dishonest he would give him neither sympathy nor assistance in any way, but if he believed him honest and industrious he was always ready to accommodate. He was for many years before his death the oldest settler in the township and was honored as such by his neighbors. In 1850 when the township organization in Marshall county was effected, the people at a public meeting, chose the name of Evans for the town as a compliment to him.
In politics he was an ardent Whig and usually took an active interest in the political campaigns. He was one of the delegates from Marshall county to the senatorial convention at which Robert Boal was nominated for the state senate. When the Whig party was abandoned he became a Republican and voted that ticket until his death. He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers of this and surrounding counties.
In 1853 [Dec. 2, 1851] Mr. Evans married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Brown, a resident of this township. He died January 15th, 1869."
Soon after their arrival, Joshua hired Patrick Cunningham, who settled the prior year, to build him a log house. In 1831 Joshua and Elizabeth joined the Methodist class of 11 people, the first religious society in Evans. From May 1832 until late spring of 1833 while the Blackhawk War was in progress, he and his family helped build and took refuge at Fort Darnell. Joshua was among the men who voted in the first election held at Sandy precinct on March 30th, 1833. Also, in December, 1833, Elizabeth gave birth to twins.
Joshua staked his claim along the banks of Sandy Creek before the land was surveyed by the government, so his farm did not conform to the section rectangles set forth by government surveyors. It spanned both sides of the creek in section 10 and part of section 3. According to Illinois public domain land sale records Joshua purchased his homestead in 1838. His sons William and Albert Evans purchased adjoining parcels in sections 3, 11, and 12 in during 1849 and 1850. Seen on an 1873 Evans Twp. plat map, Sandy's Methodist church and a school were on Joshua's acreage.
In 1834 two saw mills were built on Sandy Creek - one on Joshua's land. Joshua's brother John joined him on Sandy in 1834, and set up a turning lathe on which he made chairs with split bottoms, and turned table legs among other household goods. In their youth, Joshua and John had served together from June 1, 1812 until May 31, 1813 with Capt. John Spencer's company of Ohio volunteers riflemen, Newark, Third regiment.
By 1838 John procured property in nearby Livingston Co., IL and moved his family to Long Point.
Elizabeth's life was cut short by a smallpox epidemic in 1843. Her daughter-in-law, Jane Alexander Evans and newborn child died two weeks later. Eight years later, Joshua married Elizabeth Parks widow of Justus Jones. They had one child, Francis "Fannie" Evans. (5/30/2016)
See: "Old Sandy Remembers" Celebrating Illinois Sesquicentennial, Marshall County Historical Society, 1968.
See: C. A. Darnell, “Benjamin Darnell, Fort Darnell, and Early Settlers of Marshall County,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Vol. 27, No. 3 (Oct.,1934), pp. 297-329., University of Illinois Press.
Numerous articles appear in The Wenona Index and The Henry Republican among others.
The following biography is from Records Of The Olden Time, Spencer Ellsworth, 1880, Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment, Lacon, IL.
****************
"Mr. Evans was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, Jan. 5th, 1793. When he was about eight years old, his father Thomas Evans, died, leaving his mother, Rhoda, a widow with eight children, six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was not over sixteen years old. A tract of land was owned by the family, but very little had been done in the way of clearing off the heavy timber that covered it, and when cleared the soil was sterile. In 1803 the widow abandoned the Virginia home, not having been able to effect any sale, and removed with her family to Licking county, Ohio.
At the age of 19, Joshua enlisted in the army and served in the war of 1812–13. He belonged to the regiment commanded by [Colonel] Lewis Cass and during the latter part of the war served in the war as quartermaster. He was among the unfortunate victims of General Hull's treacherous and cowardly surrender [of Detroit], and could never refer to that incident of the war without expressing his indignation.
In 1816 he was married to Elizabeth Radcliff, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. His three sons, William, Albert, and Rev. J.G., are still living, and now reside in Evans township. Three of the daughters grew to womanhood and are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Alexander [Sarah], resides in Magnolia, Putnam county, one in Nebraska [Mrs. Almira Jane Burr], and the third in Michigan [Mrs. Susan Stimson].
In 1824 Mr. Evans joined the M.E. church of which he remained a member until his death, and most of the time held some official relation in the church. In 1830 he removed to Illinois and settled at Cherry Point, then in LaSalle county. His undoubted and unquestionable veracity won the confidence of his neighbors among whom he always maintained a high standing. He had no advantages for an education, his entire school privileges extended through only a part of one winter. He was, however, a man of very sound judgment and was very accurate in his business. His memory was unusually good, and he read men so readily that he was not often deceived. He was industrious and economical, and was among the best of the early farmers in Evans township. He settled at Cherry Point because he thought the prairies around the grove would not be settled for many generations and his descendants could have ample range for their stock, but he lived to see every quarter section for many miles from his residence occupied. He was very accommodating to those who he thought deserved help, and determined that question wholly by the answer to two inquiries. Is he honest? Will he work? If he thought a man to be lazy or dishonest he would give him neither sympathy nor assistance in any way, but if he believed him honest and industrious he was always ready to accommodate. He was for many years before his death the oldest settler in the township and was honored as such by his neighbors. In 1850 when the township organization in Marshall county was effected, the people at a public meeting, chose the name of Evans for the town as a compliment to him.
In politics he was an ardent Whig and usually took an active interest in the political campaigns. He was one of the delegates from Marshall county to the senatorial convention at which Robert Boal was nominated for the state senate. When the Whig party was abandoned he became a Republican and voted that ticket until his death. He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers of this and surrounding counties.
In 1853 [Dec. 2, 1851] Mr. Evans married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Brown, a resident of this township. He died January 15th, 1869."
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