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Below is a family biography included in The History of Webster County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Freeman Evans, treasurer of Webster County, and dealer in general hardware at Marshfield, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., January 19, 1841, and is a son of James and Ann (Barr) Evans. The family immigrated to Missouri in 1849, settling in St. Clair County, where the parents of Mr. Evans died in 1852. Freeman Evans is the third of seven children born to his parents, three now living. His boyhood was spent on the farm, and a limited education was obtained in the common schools. In 1857 he left the farm and began learning the tinner’s trade at Greenfield, but in 1858 went to Springfield, where he continued his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in Capt. Phelps’ regiment of the State Guards. A short time afterward he joined the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Wright, and three months later was discharged on account of physical disability. In August, 1862, he again entered the service, joining the Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and continued in service until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865, and returned to Springfield, Mo., where he resumed his trade. In 1867 he came to Marshfield, engaged in the stove and tin business, and two years later added a stock of general hardware. He is the second oldest business man in Marshfield, and is doing a prosperous business, although he was burned out three times. He is a Republican in politics, and was elected county treasurer of Webster County in 1876, serving in that position two years. In 1883 he was appointed by Gov. Crittenden to serve for a short time, and in the fall of that year he was again elected to the same position, his term expiring in January, 1889. He was married in 1866 to Miss E. V. Thomas, a native of Greene County, Mo., and to them were born four children: Harvey E., Maggie, Maud E. and Bessie. Mr. Evans is a Mason, a member of Webster Lodge No. 98, is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the leading citizens of the county.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in The History of Webster County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Webster County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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