My Genealogy Hound

William T. Evans, a worthy and enterprising citizen of Edgar Springs, was born in Jackson County, Ala., July 13, 1839, and is the son of John P. and Sarah A. (Gay) Evans. Grandfather Evans was a native of Tennessee, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and spent the latter part of his days in Alabama. Grandfather Gay was an early settler of Alabama. John R. Evans was born on a farm in Alabama, received a good education, and during the late war was in the State Militia at Rolla, serving for about three months, but never in active battle. He immigrated to Phelps County, Mo., in 1860, rented land on Spring Creek, which he afterward bought, and there he has since resided. When Mr. Evans first located in the county neighbors were few and the country was wild and unsettled. He is still living on the farm purchased in 1864, and is now in his sixty-fifth year. Mrs. Sarah (Gay) Evans was born, reared and married in the same county in Alabama, and received a good common-school education. To her union with Mr. Evans were born thirteen children, nine now living: William T., John W., Catherine, George A., Caledonia, Missouri A., Melvina, Jennie and Martha L. Mrs. Evans is also now living. William T. Evans went to Texas when five years of age, and remained in that State for six years, after which he immigrated to Phelps County, Mo., with his parents, in 1860. He received a common education, and assisted his father on the farm until nineteen years of age, when he began life for himself by hiring out on a farm. He then worked on the ‘Frisco Railroad for one year, after which he returned home, rented land and farmed for one season. September 10, 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Lanning, daughter of William and Nancy (Ledgerwood) Lanning. Mr. Lanning was born and reared in Tennessee, was a farmer, and immigrated to Missouri when about grown. Mrs. Lanning was born in Indiana, and came to Missouri when young, marrying Mr. Lanning in Phelps County. Mrs. Evans was born August 14, 1850, and remained at home until grown, when she married Mr. Evans. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, six now living: Nancy A., Mary E., Sarah E., John A., Lucy E., Martha J., and William E., who is now deceased. After marriage Mr. Evans lived on Spring Creek for about six years, then sold out and moved to Shannon County, Mo., where he remained six years. In 1884 he returned to Phelps County, Mo., settled where he now lives, and is the owner of 214 acres of land, with about ninety under cultivation. Mr. Evans is a Democrat politically, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the United Baptist Church.