My Genealogy Hound

JAMES EVANS, attorney and real-estate dealer, McKeesport, was born in that city November 24, 1840, a son of Oliver and Mary A. (Sampson) Evans. He was reared in McKeesport, and educated in Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., from which he graduated in 1861. He began the study of law in 1863, with James I. Kuhn, of Pittsburgh; was admitted to the bar in 1865, and has since had an office in McKeesport. In 1887 he was instrumental in starting the Bank of McKeesport, of which he is president, since when he has given his attention to his banking and real-estate interests, and is not now actively engaged in the practice of law. In 1886,with other parties, he purchased the McKeesport Gristmills, formed the McKeesport Milling company, and made extensive improvements in the property by enlarging it and fitting the same with all modern improvements in machinery, etc., and increasing its capacity from fifty to two hundred barrels per day. The mills were successfully conducted by this company until December 9, 1887, when they were completely destroyed by fire. Mr. Evans has always taken an active interest in the improvement of McKeesport real estate, and, in connection with the many improvements he has made, has recently laid out a tract of fifty-six acres in lots in the Third ward, known as East Park, which lots are now on the market, being considered as being among the most valuable allotments in the city. He married, in January, 1874, Rebecca E., daughter of David and Eleanor (Mellon) Stotler, of Penn township, this county, and has five children: Thomas M., John K., Alan S., James and Eleanor. Mr. Evans is a member of the First Presbyterian Church; in politics, a republican.