My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH EVERT, a representative general agriculturist and stock-raiser of New Buffalo Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a popular man and highly respected citizen, and is at present an efficient Highway Commissioner, discharging the duties of the position to the great acceptability of the community by whom he is surrounded. Mr. Evert is a native of Germany, and a descendant of a long line of frugal and industrious ancestry. Born in the dominions of the Emperor January 11, 1854, our subject passed the first eight years of his life in his birthplace, and for two years attended the common schools of his native land. While he was only a little lad his parents, William and Caroline (Wanschneider) Evert, decided to emigrate with their family to America, the land of promise. The father and mother were both natives of Germany and found it hard to say farewell to the surroundings and friends of their lifetime, but in 1862, embarking upon a steamer, they crossed the Atlantic and after a comparatively brief voyage were safely landed in the United States.

The family were not long in reaching their destination in Michigan, but proceeding directly to Berrien County settled in the township of New Buffalo. The father, having but very limited means and a family to support, was obliged to work out by the day for a period of three years, when he was finally enabled to buy the farm where our subject now resides. The homestead, then heavily timbered and in the dense woods, has been by patient and unwearying toil transformed into productive fields, which annually yield a bounteous harvest and are improved with a good residence, substantial barns and other buildings. The farm, pleasantly located, crosses the dividing line of Michigan and Indiana and is two miles south of New Buffalo. Of the one hundred and forty-nine acres, ninety-five acres are in Michigan, and fifty-four are in Indiana. The parents of our subject were devoted members of the Lutheran Church and active in religious work. Politically, the father was a strong Democrat and took a deep interest in the affairs of the day. He died October 17, 1892, regretted by all who knew him.

The mother yet survives and resides in LaPorte County, Ind. William Evert was her second husband, and by him she had two sons and one daughter. Joseph Evert was the eldest child and, remaining in Germany throughout his early childhood, became at six years of age a scholar in the free German schools. After his arrival in Berrien County he completed his studies in the schools of New Buffalo Township. Our subject, having attained to self-reliant manhood, was upon March 30, 1878, united in marriage with Miss Christina Frank, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Christ and Hannah Frank, who emigrated to the United States in 1854, and located in Michigan City, Ind. The home of our subject and his excellent wife has been blessed by the birth of five children, Edward, Hattie, John, Clara and Lillie. Like his father, our subject is a pronounced Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for Tilden. He has been prominent in the councils of the party, has been for three years Constable of New Buffalo and was elected Highway Commissioner by a handsome majority. Energetic and enterprising, he is a man of influence, and in every sense of the word a true American citizen, upright and intelligent, liberal in ideas and progressive in business and official methods.