USA > Iowa > Howard County > Lime Springs > History of the Welsh in Minnesota, Foreston and Lime Springs, Ia. gathered by the old settlers > Part 20
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E. D. Evans. ST. PAUL.
Thos. Owens. TWO HARBORS, MINN.
T. R. Hughes. SLEEPY EYE, MINN.
V. D. Jones. MINNEAPOLIS.
WELSH RAILROAD MEN.
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County. He was a good thinker and able debater and was quite active in all the literary societies of South Bend. He was deliberate and just in judgment, kind and generous in spirit, determined in will, and conscientious and honest in his Christian faith. He died April 16th, 1886, leaving him sur- viving his wife and six children : David E., Daniel A., Sarah, wife of Bennett Williams, Jane, Mary, late wife of David Her- bert, South Bend, and Lizzie, wife of Richard Wigley, Jr.
EVANS, EVAN II. - Born August, 1817, at Penal, Merioneth- shire, Wales. Son of Ilugh and Aun Evans, who were relig- ious people belonging to the Calvinistic Methodist Church, and the subject of our sketch was carefully nurtured in the church from his childhood. In 1841 he emigrated to U'tica, N. Y., where on April 5th, 1844, he married Mary, daughter . of William and Catherine Jones, of Gelli-ddraenen, Llanti- hangel Pennant Parish, Merionethshire. The young couple soon moved to Emmet, Wis., and thence in June, 1855, to South Bend, Minn., and located on a fine farm on Minneopa Creek. Mr. Evans took a prominent part in the religious history of the settlement. He had been made an eller of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in 1849 by the Seion Church of Eminet, and at its organization in 1856 he was called to the same office by its namesake, the Seion Church of South Bend, ( now removed to Judson). Mr. Evans was a man of more than average ability, mentally and spiritually, and was always ready and active in every good work. He was a good singer and led in that service in the churches with which he was connected since he was eighteen years of age. His death occurred June 22, 1873. He left him surviving, his wife, who still resides at Mankato, and two sons, Edward and Hugh.
EVANS, GRIFFITH A .- Born at Gelly Rhyn, Llanfrathan, near Bedd Gelert, Merionethishire, Wales, in August, 1841. Son of John and Magdalen Evans, who removed to Cuellyn Llanwydda, Carnarvonshire, when he was a year old. Emi- grated to Blue Earth County in 1869 and after stopping a few months at Mankato located on a farm in Judson. May, 1871, married Lucy, daughter of James Thomas, near Cambria, Wis. Removed to Waverly, Martin County, in 18So. 1s a faithful member and deacon of the Christian Church of Hori- con, Westford Township, Minn. Ilis children are: Eliza- beth, Margaret, William, Evan and Cadwalader.
EVANS, HUGH-Born at South Bend, Minn., May 20, 1858.
Son of Evan H. and Elizabeth Evans. Received a good busi-
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ness education at common schools and Curtis' Business Col- lege at St. Paul. September 20, 1887, married Miss Anna, daughter of Evan and Mary Roberts, of Watertown, Wis., but formerly of Machynlleth, Wales, and they reside at Mankato, Minn. Mr. Evans has been connected for ten years with the firm of L. Patterson & Co., wholesale grocers, the last three years as a partner, and is one of the most promising young business men in Mankato. Ile and Mrs. Evans are active members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church.
EVANS, JOSHUA THOMAS-Was born January 16, 1861, in Welsh Prairie, near Cambria, Wis. Youngest son of Rev. John J. and Eleanor C. Evans. In 1869 moved with his pa- rents to Lime Springs, Iowa. January 7th, 1873, his parents and young sister perished in a snow storm, and he was left to - care for himself. For several years he worked among the farmers and attended school in winter. Began preaching carly in 1881 and six years were spent in study at Lake For- est University, Lake Forest, Ill., and at the MeCormick Theo- logical Seminary, Chicago, Ill. Graduating from the latter April 5th, 1888. The next day he went to Minneapolis to commence on his work as District Superintendent for the American Bible Society for Minnesota and North and South Dakota, a position which he still holds. He was ordained by the Welsh Synod of Wisconsin in October, 1888, and Decem- ber 31, 1889, was married to Miss Winnie Owens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Owens, of Minneapolis. He takes inter- est in political and literary work, and articles from his pen have been highly commended.
EVANS, JOHN C .- Born January 29, 1831, at Wern, Pennant parish, near Llanrhiadr-yu-Mochnant, Montgomeryshire, Wales. Son of Edward and Ann Evans above mentioned. Emigrated with parents to America in November, 1850, and located at Weathersfield, O. August 20, 1852, he left the lat- ter place for St. Paul, Minn., where he located on a farm in New Canada Township. In May, 1853, removed to LeSueur County, being the first of the Welsh settlers there. In 1861 married Mary, daughter of Rev. Richard J. Jones, who had been born at Waukesha, Wis., in 1843. They now have re- tired from their large and valuable farm to the city of Le Sueur. They are an upright, religious couple, who for inany years have been active members of Elim church, of which Mr. Evans is an active and efficient elder. Mrs. Evans is a good Welsh writer and poetess.
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EVANS, REV. JOHN J .- Born at Clygir, Llandeiniolen, Carnarvonshire, Wales, August, 1819. Hle only had one day of school, for the next day his brother was accidentally killed and John was called home and had to go to work in the quar- ries of Llanberis. ITis thirst for knowledge, however, was great and he gathered a good library and acquired a fair self education. He took an active interest in temperance. In 1845 he came to the United States, locating first at Blaen y Cae and then at Welsh Prairie, Wis. He began preaching soon after coming to Wisconsin, and was ordained at the synod of the C. M. at Columbus, in 1867. July 4, 1855, he married Miss Elenor C. Williams, native of Bodwigan. Llandensant, Anglesca, Wales. In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Evans moved to Filmore county, Minn., where on January 7, 1873, both were caught by a severe blizzard and froze to death with their youngest child. Mr. Evans was an earnest, substantial preacher and an honest, faithful christian.
EVANS, M. A., MISS MARGARET J. - Daughter of Dan- iel M. and Sarah Evans, who came from Wales in 1835. Her mother, whose maiden name was James, was born at Blanha- len, Carmarthenshire, and is sister to the wife of the Welsh poet, Los Glan Twerch. Miss Evans was born at Utica, N. Y. In 1869 she graduated A. B. from Lawrence University, Wis. She taught for one year in Donner College, Fox Lake, Wis., and then went to Lawrence University as preceptress and teacher of German and English. In 1874 she was called to Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., as teacher of modern Languages and English Literature, and in 1875 was made a professor in those branches. In the summer of 1878 she ob- tained a year's leave of absence from her college duties to pursue some special studies in Europe, which she did in Ger- many and France, returning to her classes in the fall of 1879. The summers of 1884 and of 1890 she spent also in Germany pursuing special studies. In 1892 she again went to Europe for a year of further study in Germany and Oxford, England, and in the fall of 1893 again resumed her place at Carleton as lady principal and professor of English literature. Miss Evans is a lady of fine presence, a brilliant conversationalist, a ripe scholar, a most successful teacher and an able and ready writer and speaker, For twenty years as lady principal she has stood at the head of the ladies' department of Carleton College, and it is mostly due to her ability and tact that this branch of the college has had such wonderful growth and
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success. Miss Evans is also a noble, earnest christian, who has always been an active worker in every religious effort among the young ladies of her charge. She has also taken great interest in home and foreign missions and for a number of years has been president of the woman's board of missions of the Congregational churches of Minnesota.
EVANS, MRS. MARY A .- Wife of D. H. Evans, Esq., born February 17th, 1858, at Berlin, Wis. Her parents were Win. J. and Hannah Evans. In 1870 she removed with her parents to Emporia, Kan., and thence in 1872 to Denver, Col., where February 20th, 1880, she united in marriage with Mr. Evans. She is of a very kind and generous disposition and is much admired for her amiable ways.
. EVANS, M. D., HON. OWEN J .- The subject of this sketch was born at Remsen, N. Y. in 1840. Educated in the Rome Academy and Albany Medical College, Went to the army in 1862 as assistant surgeon, of the 40th New York and in 1863 was promoted surgeon. In 1865 was chief medical officer at Farmeville, Virginia. At the close of the war he came to Minneapolis in 1865, and so far as known is the first Cymro to settle in the city. Few have held so many impor- tant offices as Dr. Evans. He has been two years in the city council, two years a health officer, three years a member of the board of education and two years a member of the state Legislature. He has been president of the Hennepin County Medical Society and was the president of the first Eisteddfod held in Minneapolis, January 1st, 1895. Mr. Evans is an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian church.
EVANS, ROBERT G .- Born March 18th, 1854, at Troy, Ind., of Welsh and English ancestry. His boyhood days were spent at Rockport, Ind. He was educated in the State Uni- versity at Bloomington. Commenced to practice law at Vin- cennes, Ind., in 1876. In 1884 he removed to Minneapolis, where he has been in the practice of his profession ever since, being now a member of the well known firm of Keith. Evans, Thompson & Fairchild. He takes considerable interest in politics and since 1887 has been the member for Minnesota of the Republican National Committee. He has never sought any office for himself. He has the ability and energy to make a success of whatever he undertakes. As a lawyer he is able,
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Hon. R. G. Evans. MINNEAPOLIS.
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J. T. Baxter. MINNEAPOLIS.
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Wm. H. Williams. ST. PAUL.
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H. P. Roberts. MINNEAPOLIS.
GROUP OF WELSH LAWYERS.
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thorough and active, a fine speaker and quick of perception. as a man he is kind, genial and strictly honest, which quali- ties have won him a host of friends all over our state.
EVANS, REV. WILLIAM E .- Born at Cefn Caer, Pennal, Merionethshire, Wales, May 5th, 1862, son of Lewis and Catherine Evans, educated at Aberystwyth College and at the Bala C. M. Theological Seminary. He then went to Edinburgh University, Scotland, for a portion of three years, but on account of Failing health was obliged to leave before fully completing his course. March 4th, 1890, he married Miss Margaret Ellen Hughes, of Bala, Wales. Emigrated to America in the spring of 1890 and located first at Racine, then at Waukesha and then at Milwaukee. In December, 1894, he accepted a call to the C. M. church of Mankato, Minn., and began his pastoral charge there on January 1st, 1895. He has had a religious training from his youth and began preaching at his home church when Is years old, and at the age of 20 he was licensed by the synod. He is fast winning prominence as one of the ablest preachers in his denomination.
EVANS, W. J. - Born August 30, 1861. and is the son of Rob- ert J. Evans, of Prairie du Chien, Wis., formerly of Milwau- kee, and a native of a place near Rhuthyn in Wales. He en- tered into the employment of the C. M. & St. P. R. R. at the shops at Prairie du Chien in 1879, his father being the super- intendent of the shops at the time. In 1880 he went into the office at North McGregor, Iowa, remained there three years, then accepted a position with the C. St. P., M. & O. R. R., at St. Paul, and occupied different positions with that road until 1888, then left to accept a better position with the St. P., M. & M. R. R., ( now the G. N. R. R. , in charge of their Claim Department. In 1892 was appointed Freight Claim Agent and held that position until January, 1894, when he was offered and accepted the present position of Assistant General Freight Agent. Mr. Evans was married September 4, ISSS, to, Miss Ida C. Morrison, of Prairie du Chien, Wis. J. R. Evans, Esq., of Milwaukee, Wis., is a brother of his father, and the noted singer, Mollie Evans, is consequently his cousin.
EVANS, REV. DAVID EDWARD, A. B .- Born near Oshkosh, Wis., March 1, 1855. Ilis parents, David S. and
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Elizabeth Evans, came from Merionethshire, in 1847. Having received an elementary education at the common schools and the Oshkosh high school, he completed college course at Ripon, Wis., in 1877, and a Theological course at Lane Sem- inary, Cincinnati, O., in 1882. Hle then became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Coalton, O., for one year ; at Kilbourn City, Wis., for four years, and at Litchfield, Minn., for two years. He was next appointed Superintendent of Missions in the St. Paul Presbytery for three years. For the past two years he has been pastor of the House of Faith Presbyterian church of Minneapolis. In 1882 he married Miss Maggie A. Evans, of Oshkosh, Wis. They have two daughters, Eliza- beth and Lillian. Mrs. Evans' mother, Mrs. Margaret Evans, sister of the late Rev. Morris Williams, the renowned "Ni- cander," resides with them healthy and happy in her eightieth year. Mr. Evans is an able preacher and efficient pastor.
GRIFFITHS, JAMES-Born at Mydrim, Carmarthenshire, Wales, January, 1838. Son of Joseph and Anna Griffiths. His father was a stone mason by trade and an elder in the Mydrim C. M. church. In 1860 he married Amy, daughter of Levy James, an elder of the C. M. church of Siloh, Maesteg. They first settled at Aberdulas, Glanmorganshire, but soon removed thence to Cwm Rhondda. In April, 1870, they emi- grated to America and settled for a short time at Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Pomeroy, Ohio, whence they came to Le Sueur county, Minn., in spring of 1872, and thence after a few months to Mankato, Minn., where he died December 10, 1883. He was a stone mason by trade and an excellent work- man. He was made an elder of the C. M. church at Jerusalem church, Cwin Rhondda, Wales, and officiated with great faith- fulness in the Welsh church at Mankato until his death. He was a fine musician and generally led in the church singing. HIe, also, was very energetic in training young people in music and organizing them into Bands of Hope. He left him surviving his wife and their five children: Isaac, Phebe, wife of John Owens of South Bend, Anne, wife of Owen Roberts of St. Paul, John ( now deceased ), and Thomas.
GRIFFITHIS, JOHN J .- Born at the village of Criciath, Carnarvonshire, Wales, July 10, 1825. His parents, John and Jane Griffiths, removed when he was six years old to Llanllyf- ni. At the age of twenty years he left home and spent two years in Conway and vicinity. In the spring of 1847 he emi-
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grated to Boston, Mass., and remained there and at Quincy until fall, when he went to Utica, N. Y., for four months, and then returned to Boston. In the fall of 1848 he removed to Columbus township. Dodge county, Wis., where he purchased a farm. Ile continued, however, to follow the stone mason trade for a few years after 1 this-working seven sum- mers on the Institute for the Blind at Janesville, Wis., and three years bridge building for the Chicago & Galena Ry. at Rockford and Scales Mound, I11. Ile also spent one winter at New Orleans. Nov. 6, 1855, at New Diggin's, Wis., he married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Thomas Jenkins, of Pontyrwy, Cardigan- shire, Wales, who JOHN J. GRIFFITHS. had emigrated to Wiscon- sin in 1841. Selling his farm at Columbus he reached Mankato March 15, 1869, and soon settled on a large farm in Judson. In November, 1886, he retired from his farm to Mankato, where he and his good wife now reside in good circumstances and much esteemed for their integrity of character. Their children are: John R., Jane A., wife of F. A. Peterson, of Chicago, William, Ed- ward and Spencer.
HARRIS, DANIEL L .- Born at Cilewm Carmarthenshire, Wales, in 1832. Son of Win. and Sarah Harris. Emigrated to Wisconsin in 1856 and soon thereafter located at LaCres- cent, Minn. In 1864 married Miss Elizabeth Humphreys, of Waterville, Wis., and same year removed to Cambria, Minn. His wife died July 3, 1877. March 10, 1882, he married Mrs. Margaret Evans. Hlad eight children by his first wife, three of whom have died. He was a member of Salem Cong. church at Cambria, and is now of the Welsh church at Lake Crystal. By hard, honest toil he has accumulated considerable property.
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In 1892 he retired from the farm and purchased a pleasant home at Lake Crystal, where he and Mrs. Harris now reside. HARRES, DAVID L. Son of Win. and Sarah Harris herein
mentioned. Born near Cilewm, Carmarthenshire, Wales, December 27th, 1838. Emigrated with his parents to LaCres- cent, Minn., in 1858 and then to Cambria, Minn., in the spring of 1865. Married Miss Sarah Winn, of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, January 25th, 1868, who died June 5th. 1889. Mr. Harris, like his brother Daniel, has by honest toil, possessed himself of a large farm and much other property. He is a worthy and faithful member of the Salem Congrega- tional church. His children are : William, John, Sarah Ann, Hattie and Mary Jane.
HARRIS, WM .- Born at Rhandir Mwyn near Cil Cwm, Car- marthenshire, Wales, February 3rd, 1804. His parents were named Wm. HI. and Catherine Harris. Married in 1826 Miss Sarah Lewis. When about twenty-five years old he united with the C. M. church of Goshen in his native town. Abont 1830 he removed to a place called Rhandir Ganol near Pant-y- Celyn. In September, 1858, emigrated to LaCrescent, Minn., where he lived until the spring of 1865, when he emigrated to Cambria, Minn. There he died January 24, 1892. Mr. Harris was a quiet, industrious man, rather original in his ways but of great zeal and hospitality toward God's cause. For five or six years prior to the erection of its house of wor- ship in 1871, he opened the door of his home to the Salem Con- gregational church to hold all its Sunday and midweek ser- vices in free of charge. His children are: William, Daniel, David, John, Thomas and Evan L. Harris and Mary, wife of Hugh J. Williams, Tracy, Minn.
DAVID R. HOWELL. Born February 28, 1856, at Cam- bria, Wis. His parents were David and Margaret Howell, his mother being a sister of J. L. Owens, of Minneapolis. Attended the district school and worked on the farm and studied for three years, 70-78, at Ripon college. Was in bus- iness with his brother at Cambria for some time selling ma- chinery. In the fall of 1879 came to Minneapolis and worked for the Minneapolis Harvester Company. The following year formed a partnership with his brother, Robert R. Howell, un- der the name of R. R. Howell & Co., and for four years were jobbers for threshing machine goods exclusively. In 1884 a general line of farm machinery was added and a large whole- sale and retail business was carried on at 222 Washington
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avenue. In 1886 they began manufacturing and in 1890 built a large manufacturing plant on Thirtieth avenue southeast and Fifth street, where from 50 to 100 men are kept constantly at work. In 1891 the store on Washington avenue was moved to the corner of Washington and Second avenue north in or- der to have a larger building. David R. has charge of the business department and through economy, energy and per- severance has worked up a large trade.
HOWELL, ROBERT R. Born March 6, 1854. Son of David and Margaret Howell, and a nephew on his mothers side of J. 1. Owens, of Minneapolis. Worked on the farm in his youth and in addition to the district school spent two years at Ripon college. Was for some time in the machinery busi- ness with his brother in Cambria, Wis., and came to Minne- apolis in the fall of 1879 and worked for the Minneapolis Har- vester Company. In 1890 formed a co-partnership with his brother, David R., under the name of R. R. Howells & Co., which still exists. (See David R. Howell. ) Robert R. has an inventive mind and has charge of the manufacturing and mechanical department of the business. In 1882 he in- vented the Howell Grain Register, in 1884 a tank pump for threshing machine purposes and in 1885 an automatic sacker for thrashing machine purposes. In 1887 he invented a sep- arating part on a threshing machine, and later a Roller Feed Mill. In addition to these he has numerous improvements in various lines, and the untiring energy which he has shown well deserves the success which he has attained.
HUGHES, BYRON .- Born at Cambria, Wis., August 14th, 1860, son of Ilon. Robert II. Hughes. He was educated at the common schools and at the Mankato State Normal School. Studied law and was admitted to practice in May, 1885. Married Miss Annie E. James, of Kings. Ill., in December, 1885, and began the practice of his profession at Tracy, Minn, After two years he removed to Mankato. Ile was elected county attorney of Blue Earth county in the fall of 1890 and held the office for two years. Was elected special judge of the municipal court of Mankato in April, 1893, for the term of three years. Ile and his brother Win. F. are members of the well known law firm of Hughes, Rice & Ilughes, at Mankato.
HUGHES, DAVID-Born at Banc-cithin, Cardiganshire, Wales, March 1, 1831. His parents were John and An Hughes. After residing some time at Pant-y-beddau, Llan-
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badarn Fach, in the same shire he emigrated in 1838 to the Horeb neighborhood, Jackson county, O., and removed from there with the Jackson colony to Le Sueur county, Minn., in May, 1856. March 26, 1863, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Evan and Jane Griffiths, of Le Sueur county. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are faithful and energetic members of Elim church, and have been much prospered in all their ways. They have had nine children, six of whom are now living.
HUGHES, MRS. DAVID -- Born in Jackson county, O., in 1844. Her father wasa native of Talfar in the parish of Trefilar, Cardiganshire, Wales, where he had been born in October, 1804. Son of Thomas and Mary Davies who were worthy members of Llangeitho church. He married Jane, daughter of Wm. and Margaret Jenkins, of Bremelyn, Llangeitho, in the summer of 1831, and in 1847 emigrated to Jackson county, (. As there were many of his name on the ship he changed his surname from "Davies" to "Griffiths" and ever afterwards kept his assumed name. He was a prominent and useful mem- ber of the C. M. church, and died in Le Sueur county, Feb- ruary 24, 1873.
HUGHES, EVAN-Born February 9, 1862, at Cambria, Minn. Son of Heury and Eliza Hughes, Educated at his home school, District No. 11, and at Carleton college. Was principal of the Franklin and Pleasant Grove schools at Man- kato for three years, and of the Lake Crystal school for one year. Read law in his brother's office at Mankato and was admitted to practice in May, 1891, and has been asso- ciated with his brother, Thos. Hughes, in the law business ever since. He is a good singer and has been a very efficient and faithful member of the Congregational church choir for years.
HUGHES, HENRY-Born June 4th, 1833, at Tredegar, Monmouthshire, S. Wales. His parents were named Thomas and Mary Hughes. The father was a native of Aberystwyth and operated a coal mine in Sirhowy. Both parents were very religions and took active part in church matters. The father being one of the first deacons of "Ebenezer" Congrega- tional church of Sirhowy. Both died when Henry was quite young. In July, 1851, he emigrated to Minersville near Pom- eroy, Ohio, where he worked in the coal mines. 1853 he married Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Elizabeth Davis, of Llanarth Cardiganshire. In 1854, on advice of Rev. John II. Jones and at request of Pomeroy churches he began preach-
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ing. In October, 1855, he removed with his wife and child to Judson, Blue Earth county, Minn., and in the following June they located on their homestead in the present town of Cambria. He at once took a most active part in all the affairs of the new settlement, both temporal and spiritual. At the request of the Salem Congregational church he began preaching for it soon after his arrival and continued to do so at intervals until the Indian outbreak of 1862. From August 1862 until January 1867 he was postmaster of the Butternut Valley post- office. He was very active in the cause of education and was repeatedly a member of the school board and much of the success of the famous District No. 11 was due to his efforts. He took much interest in the work of the Bible Society and was treasurer of the local society for over twenty years and was made life member by the parent society. He likewise took much interest in Sunday school work and was superintendent of the Salem Congregational Sunday school for over twenty years. In 1889 he retired from his farm and built him a pleasant home in the city of Mankato, where he now resides with his estimable wife. Their children are Thomas and Evan Hughes, lawyers, Mankato, Minn .: Henry J. Hughes, residing on the old homestead in Cambria; Mary A. wife of David E. Bowen, Hannah J., wife of Evan Price, Albert B., student at Carleton college and Alice and Lizzie Hughes. His has been an useful christian life.
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