1890

John T. Evans, farmer and stock raiser, of Black River Township, was born in Tippah County, Miss., June 23, 1837. He is a son of Thomas Jefferson and Miriam (Rainey) Evans, who, after their marriage, first moved to Fayette County, Tenn., and then to Tipton County, and on March 1, 1851, arrived at Batesville, Ark., where they settled on a farm. The elder Evans was a Union soldier during the war, and died at Batesville, Ark., while in the service, his two sons, John T. and David F., also belonging to the same regiment, although John first enlisted in the Confederate army. After joining the Union forces, John remained with them until his company disbanded, and then went to Illinois, where he resided until the war was over. When peace had once more been assured he returned to Arkansas and located in this (Lawrence) county. He first settled on a portion of land belonging to the railroad, but afterwards bought the tract of land upon which he now resides, and shortly after its purchase added forty acres more, having now about seventy acres under cultivation, with several substantial dwellings on the land. Mr. Evans has also given a great deal [p.788] of his attention to fruit growing, and can now boast of a splendid peach and apple orchard. After his marriage he started in life with very little, so far as worldly wealth was concerned, but being the possessor of a stout heart and a determined spirit, he soon lifted himself above want and now owns a fine farm, a comfortable home, and is looked upon as one of the best farmers in Lawrence County. He was married in Lawrence County, on May 3, 1868, to Mrs. Mary E. Craig, an amiable and pleasant widow, of Union County, N. C., who came to Arkansas with her father, Jason Hargett, in 1851, when a young girl of eighteen. Mrs. Evans has one daughter by her first marriage, Fannie C. Hargett, who is now the wife of William H. Leonard; and two children by her second husband, Miriam Emmeline and John William. Miriam Emmeline is now the wife of Lewis H. Richey, who is a renter on Mr. Evans' place. They are the parents of one child, Fannie Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are both members of the Christian Church.

from Goodspeed's Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas