More Children of Pierce and Mary Ann Evans - Mary Ann, Rinaldo, and Nancy

 

Mary Ann Evans was the youngest daughter in the Pierce Evans' family.  Born in Defiance in 1840, she married the son of Miller Arrowsmith - John Caraway Arrowsmith - in 1861, and the next year they were blessed with their one and only son, Miller Pierce Richard Evans Arrowsmith, called Dick or Dickie.

(*Caraway was his mother, Celenda Caraway's, maiden name.)

Unfortunately, John C. Arrowsmith died on May 29, 1864, and was buried in the Farmer Cemetery.  About five years later, Ann and her son rode the newly finished railroad out to California to join her brothers, and she followed them later to Reno where she stayed 25 years, living with John Newton and his family.

in 1905, after her brother, John Newton's, death,  she and Dick returned home to Hicksville where she lived the rest of her life until the age of 100 1/2. A large party was held for her one hundredth birthday and a special guest was her niece, John's daughter, Elizabeth Evans Robinson from Reno.

Her obituary appeared in the Nevada State Journal on June 15, 1941, p. 5:

"AGED FORMER RENOITE DIES.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was 100 Years Old.

At the age of 100 years and six months, Mrs. Ann Evans Arrowsmith, a former well-known Reno resident, died yesterday at the home of her son in Hicksville, Ohio.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was born on December 15, 1840, at Fort Defiance, Ohio, 13th child of Pierce Evans and Mary Ann Braucher Evans.

In 1861, she married John Caraway Arrowsmith.  He died in 1863 (1864).  Accompanied by her son, Dick Evans Arrowsmith, she came west in the first year after the Central Pacific railroad was completed in 1869.  She went to Lassen county, California, and made her home in Long Valley.  Her four brothers, Orlando, Alvaro, Allen and John Evans were engaged in ranching there.

After living in Lassen county for 10 years, she moved to Reno in 1879, where John Newton Evans had moved.  She lived with her son and his family for more than 25 years in the home on Evans avenue where the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house is now located.

She was very active in the social life of Reno, then a rapidly-growing town.  Mrs. Arrowsmith was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps in Reno, and at the time of her death, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Ohio.

In 1905, Mrs. Arrowsmith returned to Ohio with her son, the late John N. Evans and his family, and resided there up to the present time.  (*She returned with her son, Dick.)

Among the surviving relatives are Mrs. J. LaRue Robinson, of Reno, a niece and her daughter-in-law, who was the former Gertrude Rhodes, an aunt of Dr. D. C. Rhodes, and Mrs. Jessie Rhodes Wilcox of Reno.

The 100th birthday of Mrs. Arrowsmith was observed last December with a large family reunion in Ohio.  At that time, numerous telegrams of congratulations were sent by many persons, including Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable."

Nancy Braucher Evans, born in February 1823, was Mary Ann's older sister.  She married James Cheney and they settled in Indiana.  (Braucher was her mother's maiden name.)

She died on June 27, 1895, and her obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on July 4, 1895, page 5:

"From Fort Wayne Gazette of Friday, June 28, we glean the following concerning the death and brief history of Mrs. Nancy Cheney, who was born near this city 72 years ago, and is remembered by some of the old residents still living in Defiance.

Yesterday morning at 9 o'clock occurred the death of Mrs. Nancy Cheney at the residence of her husband, Judge James Cheney on Spy Run Avenue.  The cause of death, as revealed by a post mortem exam held by Drs. Ross and Porter, was an ulceration of the bowels, probably of a cancerous nature.  Mrs. Cheney had been ill for some time, but few knew that her condition was critical and the news of her death was a fearful shock to her friends.

Mrs.Cheney was born 72 years ago near Defiance, Ohio, and in her childhood days was Miss Nancy Evans, the daughter of pioneers settled on the Maumee River.  Fifty three years ago last May, she became the wife of Mr. James Cheney, who is now one of the wealthiest and best known capitalists in Indiana.

In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney moved to Fort Wayne, where Mr. Cheney started a bank. In a few years, he moved to Logansport where he resided until 1874.  He then moved to Fort Wayne with his wife and they have resided here ever since.

There are four surviving children as follows: Mrs. Helen Kimberly of Neenah, Wisconsin; Mr. W. R. Cheney of St. Louis; Mrs. Mary Cornelia Nelson of Logansport and Mrs. C. S. Knight of Spy Run Avenue.  The aged husband and three daughters were at her bedside when death occurred yesterday morning, and Mr. Will Cheney, the only son, arrived from St. Louis last night.

Mrs. Cheney was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church.  The funeral will be held there tomorrow morning, Rev. Dr. Moffatt officiating, and the remains taken to Logansport for interment."

                                                        Logansport, Indiana

Her husband was the well-known James Cheney.  His obituary appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinel, December 14, 1903, front page: 

It was brother Rinaldo (Reynaldo) who stayed in Ohio to farm the lands obtained by his father, Pierce.  Born on December 17, 1819, Rinaldo married Mary A. Shaw in 1858.  He farmed his land in Richland Township and could be found in the censuses each year until 1880; he died on April 27, 1886.  His obituary was short, appearing in the Defiance Democrat on April 29, 1886:

"RINALDO EVANS, an old and highly respected citizen of this section, died at his farm residence in Richland township Tuesday afternoon.  The funeral will be held on Friday."

His will was probated in May, 1886, in which he revealed that he had no debts and that his executors should contest any that came forth, expect for his taxes and last sickness.  All was left to his wife, and upon her death, designations were named for each child.  At that time he had 200 acres along the river in Section 19 and 118 acres in Section 18.

He was buried in Old Riverside Cemetery in Defiance.

As mentioned in an earlier posts, several other brothers died young - the youngest child, Frederick Richard died at age 2.  An older brother, Horatio, born in 1830, died in 1851. His brief obituary appeared in the Defiance Democrat on October 25, 1851, p. 2:

"Died at the residence of his father, Judge Pierce Evans, on Tuesday evening, 21st inst, Horatio Evans, aged 21 years, 9 months and 21 days, of typhus fever.

What an adventurous, curious, and entrepreneurial family were the Evans!

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The Pioneer Spirit Lived on in the Children of Pierce and Mary Ann Evans - Alphonso and John Newton -2

 

Alphonso, known as "Pete," Evans did not arrive out west until after his discharge from the Army at the end of the Civil War in 1865.  He served in Companies E, F, K and S in the 38th Ohio Regiment, working himself up from a Private to full 1st Lieutenant and Regiment Quartermaster.  He enlisted at the age of 26, on September 3, 1861, into the Ohio Infantry.  He was the last Evans pioneer to arrive out west..  

In 1882, Alvaro and Alphonso purchased a ranch together.  Later in 1889, Alphonso went into partnership with his nephew, Dick Arrowsmith, as Evans & Arrowsmith for stockraising and ranching.

His wife, Jennie Kile Evans, died on January 11, 1903, and Pete followed on January 24, 1903.

Alphonso's obituary outlined his life accomplishments.  In the Daily Nevada State Journal on January 25, 1903, p. 3:

"DEATH OF A. A. EVANS.  An Old Resident of Reno Joined the Silent Majority.

Yesterday afternoon shortly after 1 o'clock the spirit of Alfonso A. Evans took its flight to the God who gave it.

A. A. Evans, "Pete," as he was familiarly knowns, has been sick for many months and his demise has been anticipated, but though long delayed, it will cause none the less sorrow among hundreds of friends here and elsewhere.

About two weeks ago, his life companion solved the dark problem and at that time, Mr. Evans was hovering between life and death.  He had been semi-conscious for some time before his demise and little realized that the struggles of life for him were near an end.

A. A. Evans was born in Defiance, Ohio, and was sixty-five years of age.  He leaves two brothers, Alvaro Evans, J. N. Evans, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Arrowsmith, to mourn his loss.

Pete Evans was a veteran of the civil war and carried to his grave the marks of a skirmish he was engaged in while upholding the flag that thousands have suffered and died for - the glorious emblem of freedom.

On December 11, 1863, A. A. Evans enlisted as quartermaster-sergeant of the Thirty-Eighth Ohio Veteran Infantry.  He was engaged in a number of battles and suffered wounds that crippled him for life.  He received an honorable discharge from service, July 12, 1865, as first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster of his old regiment.

After his experience in the service of his country, Mr. Evans came west (and) later was instrumental to a greater or lesser degree in the building of the present water system of the town (Reno).

He became a member of  General O. M. Mitchell Post, No. 69, G.A.R., of this city, September 27, 1884, and was one of the most enthusiastic members up to the time of his death.  He was twice elected as Post Commander and held other responsible positions that he filled with credit to himself and with honor to the post.

In 1894, Mr. Evans was elected Assessor of the county and was also re-elected for a second term, which expired with the dawning of this year.  Prior to this time, he served a term as Deputy Assessor under A. G. Fletcher.

Few people in the county were better known or better liked than "Pete" Evans.  Nearly all the time here he held positions that would have a tendency to make enemies rather than friends, but his sunny disposition, his jovial and generous ways endeared him to the public to such an extent that his shortcomings in other respects if any there were, lost their lustre, and he passed away, honored and respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

The funeral will take place from the residence of J. N. Evans, Monday afternoon and will be under the auspices of O. M. Mitchell Post, No. 69, G.A.R.  May his sleep be as peaceful as his esteem of the flag he fought for was genuine.  Taps."

Alphonso is buried in the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.

John Newton Evans, known as "Newt," came west in 1850, driving 500 head of cattle before him.  At that time, three of his brothers were already west.  Newt bought land in Long Valley, Lassen County, California, and went into partnership for awhile with Alvaro and Allen to raise cattle and alfalfa.  Eventually, they sold their ranch and went to Reno.

Newt became more involved with business, buying land and other holdings in Reno. He purchased land north of Reno and built a beautiful, Italianate mansion for his family of six children.  He served as the Director of the Bank of Nevada and the Farmer & Merchants Bank.  He was vital in getting the University of Nevada to develop in Reno, selling land to them and serving for awhile as the President of their Board of Regents.

On one of his trips back to Ohio, he married Elizabeth Metcalf.  He died in a horrible accident in 1903.  His obituary appeared in the Reno Evening Gazette on November 14, 1903, on the front page: 

"JOHN NEWTON EVANS KILLED BY A FALL.  Accident Yesterday Afternoon and Death This Morning.  The Whole City Shocked by the News.  Deceased a Leading Citizen, and His Death a Public Calamity.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Evans, with his son, Pierce, went up to his ranch near the city reservoir to cover up a pile of baled hay which was threatened by the storm.  The wind was blowing very hard when Mr. Evans mounted the hay and whether he slipped or was blown off by the force of the gale is not known.  He was seen to slip and fall to the ground, sixteen feet  below, striking with fearful force upon his chest.  For a long time, he remained unconscious and was tenderly lifted by the stricken son and a farm hand and brought home.  The accident happened above three o'clock in the afternoon.

Dr. Pritchard responded to a call for aid and was followed a moment later by Dr. Hershleer, the family physician, and Dr. Thomas, who was sent for for consultation.  An examination showed that one of his ribs was fractured and that his lungs were crushed causing internal hemorrhage.  The doctors saw after a brief examination that there was no hope.  He became conscious after awhile and suffered such terrible agony that opiates were administered.          

 A short while before he died, he became conscious again and recognized (his) wife and other members of his family. When asked if he were badly hurt, he whispered that he suffered and seemed to feel that he could not live.  At 5 o'clock this morning, he expired, surrounded by heartbroken family.

The deceased leaves a wife and five children: Miss Elizabeth Evans, a student at Stanford; John Evans, foreman of the Vale Ranch in Mason Valley; Ben, Allen and Pierce Evans, students at the University of Nevada, and Rose Evans; also a brother, Alvaro Evans of this city and a sister, Mrs. Arrowsmith of Long Valley.

The funeral will be under the auspices of the Elks with the Rev. Samuel Unsworth of the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Evans is a communicant, and Mr. Evans was an occasional attendant, officiating.  The funeral announcement will be made later.

Mr. Evans was born in Defiance, Ohio, May 13, 1835, and married Miss Elisabeth Metcalf from a fine family in the same neighborhood, by whom six children were born, five of them now living. With his three brothers, he came west in 1850, and settled in Long Valley (CA) becoming a leading rancher and cattle raiser of those early days.  With Henry J. Pratt and his brother, Alvaro, he reclaimed a large ranch and range on the Humboldt River, north of Iron Point, making it one of the finest properties in the state.  It was sold to Noble & North of Utah who built many more miles of fence and have immense meadows and pastures where thousands of sheep and cattle are now wintered.

During all these years, Mr. Evans was an active defender of the settlers' rights against the savage Piute, as well as outlaws of whiter skin, and many a contest that might well be called battles were fought.  The Honey Lake Valley was the scene of some historic events and no one knew better than Mr. Evans the secret history of them.  On the Humboldt River, he was known as a fearless, though modest man, who never shrunk from a foe or forsook a friend.

The four brothers, Allen, Alvaro, John N. and A. A., the latter known as Pete, came to Reno over twenty years ago and bought the quarter section north of town on which Mr. Evans lived and died. They soon took hold of the Reno water works and built the Highland ditch, or at least completed it after Lachman and others dropped it.  When the partnership dissolved, Newt, as he was called by his associates, retained the property adjoining town, which he farmed so successfully in connection with his cattle business that he became one of the strong men of the town and the state.  He understood the stock business as few men do, and was an excellent judge of the conditions regulating the ups and downs of prices.

He was a director in the Bank of Nevada from its inception until last summer when he joined

Kirkman, Muck, Dunaway, Dolly and others to make a National Bank of the Farmers and Merchants.

He was President of the Washoe Power and Development Company and was actively engaged in promoting this great enterprise which was designed to harness the power of the Truckee River near Verdi for electrical purposes.

He has been a president of the board of regents for the state university for six years, and was one of the tried and true friends of the institution, devoting to it an earnest fidelity characteristic of everything he ever undertook.  In him, the university will lose a friend second to none that it ever had.  In him, the state loses a strong citizen and the commonwealth here a man who loved this place and aided in its growth.

Few men will be missed more on the streets or in business circles as John Newton Evans.  Strong in his characteristics, born without any sense of false delicacy, sensitive to no influence that would divert aim from a purpose once formed, confident of his own ability, and secure in his own will, he was a man not easily turned.  He was regarded by his neighbors as rather reticent and unapproachable, but beneath an exterior of peculiar dignity of manner lay a warm and tender heart which beat true and strong towards those dependent upon him or anyone entitled to his friendship..."

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The Pioneer Spirit Lived On in the Children of Pierce and Mary Ann Evans - Alvaro, Orlando and Allen -1

 Of the eleven children of Pierce and Mary Ann Braucher Evans, six decided to go West to try their fortune: Orlando, Alvaro, Allen, John Newton, Alphonso and Mary Ann Evans Arrowsmith.  (Only one, Reynaldo/Rinaldo, stayed home and farmed his father's land.  Three children died young: Helen at three months, Horatio at 21 and Frederick at 2 years.  Nancy married James Cheney and they lived in the Fort Wayne area.)  Those who settled in the West became quite successful. They often partnered up for investments.

Alvaro was the first to try his luck in 1850 when he traveled to California from Ohio by ship, cruising around Panama.  His first interest was mining in Nevada and he formed a mining company there.  His obituary described his accomplishments in the Reno Evening Gazette of January 26, 1915: 

"FUNERAL OF AGED PIONEER HELD AT HOME

Alvaro Evans Laid to Rest in Masonic Cemetery With Simple Ceremony.  Associates of Early Days in Role of Pall Bearers at Obsequies.

In the presence of only the members of the family and of a group of pioneers selected to serve as pall bearers, the funeral of Alvaro Evans, the Nevada pioneer, was held this afternoon at the residence, 707 West Seventh Street.
By request of the family there were no flowers and the ceremony was unusually simple and quiet because of the serious illness of both Mrs. Evans, the widow, and Mrs. William Sharon, daughter of the dead pioneer.  Rev. Brewster Adams, pastor of the Baptist Church, officiated, and interment was in the Masonic Cemetery.

Oldest Mason in State

Mr. Evans was the oldest Mason in the state, it is believed.  He joined the order in early life in Ohio, and he was 88 years old when he died.

Edward Barber, who came to Nevada in 1875 and who had been an intimate friend of Alvaro Evans, was in charge of the securing of the pallbearers today.  After the list had been completed, he nominated himself, as honorary pallbearer because H. J. Pratt, an old friend of Alvaro Evans, wished to be included as an active bearer.  

When Mr. Barber came to Reno, Alvaro Evans was residing on the Constantia ranch in Long Valley.  The men who served at the funeral today as pallbearers were then engaged in ranching near Reno.  On the list were Dan Wheeler, William McKay, John Horn, H. J. Pratt, Alfred Nelson, Joe Blackburne and Howard Barber.

Gave Hearst His Start

Some of the old timers who knew Alvaro Evans recall that it was he who gave Senator George Hearst his start toward a great fortune.  Evans and another man secured options to Virginia City miners and permitted Hearst to join with them. Hearst then began to acquire the fortune which later figured in his own prominence in California.

According to a history of Nevada published about 15 years ago, Alvaro Evans made a great fortune as manager of the Buckeye Hill Mining Company in Nevada county, California.  After coming west in 1850, he took charge of the property and directed the driving of a tunnel that required eight years to complete.  Over a million and a half dollars were taken from the property before it was sold for $200,000.  Mr. Evans managed the mine for 10 years, but in 1859, he took up cattle raising as a side line and went to Iowa, where he bought stock that he drove over the plains to Lassen county, Cal.

Formerly in Humboldt

Some years later, Mr. Evans branched out in the cattle business by purchasing stock in Texas for extensive ranches he had purchased in Humboldt county, Nev.  He formerly owned a quarter section of land in the northwest part of Reno and 860 acres in ranches south of Reno.

Alvaro Evans was a veteran of the Mexican war, although he did not see actual service, his regiment going no farther than the Texas border.

                                                    Old Reno, Nevada

The oldest son, Orlando, called "General," was a postmaster in Defiance from 1842 - 1845, also serving as Clerk of Courts, Recorder, and in other county offices.  In the 1850 census, he was listed as a merchant, but the gold rush was tempting, and off he went west with his family in 1851. His story was told in the Nevada State Journal of August 21, 1897 and in the Reno Evening Gazette of August 20, 1897.

From the Evening Gazette: 

"GENERAL ORLANDO EVANS PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING

General Orlando Evans, a pioneer of California and Nevada, died at the residence of his brother, Alvaro Evans, at 5:30 this morning.  General Evans has been ailing for many months, but only took his bed two weeks ago Sunday.  His great age prevented him from rallying, and the Destroyer claimed him at an early hour this morning and his spirit returned to the God who gave it.

But few men have a more interesting history than General Evans.  He was born in Washington Co., Ohio, on January 22, 1818, and was the oldest of eleven children, four of whom are still alive - Alvaro Evans, J.N. Evans, A.A. Evans and Mrs. Mary Arrowsmith.  In 1838, he was married to Miss Louisa Woodward, and two children were the fruits of the union, one of whom, Mrs. Bennett A. Prior, is living and was at his death bed.

General Evans was engaged in business in Defiance, Ohio, for many years and is closely identified with the early days of that commonwealth.  He was an honored and respected citizen of Ohio until 1851, when imbued with the ambition of the hardy pioneers who came to California in the early days, General Evans came to the coast and settled in French Corral, Calif. where he did a prosperous business.  

Then he removed in 1864 to Buckeye Hill, Nevada Co., where he located a mine which was subsequently sold to an English syndicate and General Evans became very wealthy, but, like many others, let it get away from him."

                      Orlando Evans tombstone, Masonic Cemetery, Reno, Nevada

The other obituary added that he had served as Clerk of Courts, a four year term as Postmaster and was serving as Deputy Assessor upon his death.  It was noted that he thought money should be used for the betterment of humanity and helped others freely. His funeral was held at the home of his brother, John Newton Evans.

Allen Braucher Evans, the fifth son and seventh child of Pierce, arrived in California in 1853, settling in San Francisco.  His mission was to buy California land.  His first partner was a Pitt River Native American woman named Suzi Wilie-Kol-Kold Jack. A marriage record was found for them in 1866. They had two children: George que eom I goos Evans, called George, and a daughter, Edna Evans. His second partner was Mrs. Margaret (Frank) Cummings, married in 1880, and they had one daughter together, Edith Mary.

His obituary appeared in the Reno Evening Gazette on December 20, 1890, on page 1:

"DEATH OF ALLEN EVANS

An Old Pioneer Gone to Rest After an Eventful Life

The sad news of the death of Allen B. Evans, formerly of Long Valley, but now of San Francisco, was received here this morning.  He died last night after being confined to his bed for several months past.  He had lost the use of his lower limbs, and was almost helpless.  

He leaves a wife, a sister, Mrs. Mary E. Arrowsmith, and three brothers, Newton, Alvaro, and A. A. Evans of Reno to mourn his loss.  Pete (Alphonso) Evans and Mrs. Arrowsmith leave for San Francisco tonight.

Mr. Evans was born in Ohio on the 7th day of April, 1832.  He came to Long Valley in 1859, and with his brothers, Alvaro and Newt, were among the first settlers of that section.  For years they lived there and endured the privations of the pioneer, and made for themselves a lovely and happy home.

About seven years ago, the place was sold to John M. Rhodes, when Mr. Evans took up his residence in San Francisco, where he has since resided.

He was buried in the now defunct Laurel Hills Cemetery.  His remains were removed to another cemetery, unnamed.

Newspaper reports showed that the brothers did not always agree.  Allen once sued Alvaro for $80,000, and a fight ensued over portions of the Reno Water Company and fields of alfalfa that were next to each other.  Other times, they pooled their money for land or investments and seemed to get along.  But they were all businessmen who watched their money.

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Pierce Evans, Early Settler and War of 1812 Veteran

 

Pierce Evans was an early settler in Richland Township, Defiance County, as early as 1823, when the area was still in Henry County.  

Born on August 28, 1793, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, he enlisted in the Ohio Militia of Volunteers in September, 1812, for 30 days.  He was in the Company of Captain Moses Patterson, discharged in October, 1812.  

The next year he reenlisted in July 1813, into the Company of Captain Hugh Rogers and Colonel Keys for a 40 day term.  Pierce served from July 29 to August 26, not a full term.  The War of 1812 was fought against the British and some of the Native Americans as a protest against Britain's restrictions on our trade and their impressment of our seamen.  They would take our men from American merchant ships and force them to serve on British ships. 

It was said that Pierce Evans liked the Defiance area so much when he was stationed in Ohio that he came back to it to settle.

At some point upon his return from war, he married Mary Ann Braucher. A marriage record could not be found, but an estimate for the marriage date would be between 1814 and 1817, considering the age of their eldest child in the Federal Census of 1830.

In the early censuses of 1830 and 1840, the couple were found in Richland Township, Henry County, as Defiance County was not formed until 1843. In the Federal Census of 1850, Pierce, 56, and Mary, 50, Evans were in Richland Township, Defiance County on July 26, 1850.  He was farming real estate worth $12,250.  His son, Horatio, 18, was helping on the farm.  His other children at home included: Allen B., 16; John N., 13; Mary A., 11; Alphonse B., 8 and Elizabeth (Evans) Wank, 21, and her husband, Jacob Wank, 20 who also helped with the farming.

In the year 1850, Pierce Evans also applied for the bounty land due to him for his service in the War of 1812.  A law had been passed in 1850 allowing these grants. On December 9, 1850, Pierce wrote a letter to the court requesting this land as follows:

"The State of Ohio, County of Defiance

On this 9th day of December A.D. 1850 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, Pierce Evans, aged 57 years, a resident of Defiance county in the state of Ohio, who being duly sworn according to the law, declares that he is the identical Pierce Evans who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Moses Patterson in the First Regiment of Ohio Volunteers commanded by Colonel Samuel Findley in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812, that he volunteered at Hillsborough, Highland County, Ohio on or about the 13th day of September A.D. 1812 for the term of 30 days (under the call of General Harrison for volunteers to furnish their own horses, guns, provisions, etc. in consideration of which they were to have the credit of a 6 months term) and continued in actual service in said war for the whole of his said term and was honorably discharged at Urbana, Ohio (though he thinks his discharge was written and dated at Hillsborough after they got home) on the 12th day of October A.D. 1812, as will appear by the muster rolls of said company.

And that he is the identical Pierce Evans who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hugh Rogers in the Regiment of Ohio Volunteers commanded by Colonel William Keys in the War with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th of June 1812, that he volunteered at Hillsborough, Highland County, Ohio on or about the 29th day of July A.D. 1813 for the term of 40 days and continued in actual service in said company for the term of 25 or 30 days and was honorably discharged at Upper Sandusky in the latter part of August A.D. 1815 as will appear by the muster rolls of said company and he further states that both of his original certificates of discharge, one lost or so miss laid that he cannot find them.

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States, passed September 28, 1850."   His signature:

 

It should also be noted that Pierce Evans received Homestead Land before his Bounty Land, beginning in 1824 with 82.02 acres; in 1835, 35 acres and 80 acres; in 1837, 80 acres and last in 1837, another 80 acres, his already established farm.

Hence, in the 1860 Federal Census in Richland Township, the value of his land jumped to $22,250.  Pierce, 65, and Mary, 59, lived with just their youngest son, Alfonso, 21, who worked on the farm, and daughter, Mary.  Several men worked as laborers on the farm, and Dora Schultz, 25, worked as a servant.  

The agricultural census of June 18, 1850, in Richland Township noted that Pierce had: 100 acres improved, 700 acres unimproved, 2 oxen, 10 other cattle, 203 sheep, 40 swine, 450 bushels of wheat, 2000 bushels of corn, 200 bushels of oats, and 250 pounds of wool.  The value of the farm was 22,000.

Their children numbered eleven, beginning with the oldest son, Orlando, followed by Reynaldo, Helen, Nancy, Alvaro, Horatio, Allen, John Newton "Newt", Alphonso, Mary Ann and Frederick Richard.

Both Pierce and Mary Ann died in 1862. Pierce died on January 15th, and Mary Ann died on January 22. An obituary for Pierce appeared in the Defiance Democrat on January 18, 1862.

"Died on Wednesday past, January 15th, after a short illness, in the 69th year of his age.  *Judge Evans was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, August 28, 1793.  He settled on the Maumee in 1822, and since 1825 has resided on the farm near Defiance which he entered and improved.  He was thrifty, upright and a respected citizen.  The funeral will take place today, Saturday, at one o'clock p.m., at the Presbyterian church."

*Pierce also served as an associate judge in probate court in Defiance.

Pierce had written his will in August of 1850, and it was filed for probate in Defiance County on June 20, 1862.  In it, he gave to his wife, Mary Ann, two farms in Richland Township and all the household goods, stock and farming implements for her natural life for the support of her and the minor children.  To sons Horatio, Allen, John, Alphonso and daughter, Mary Ann, he gave $1,000.

To his children, Orlando, Rinaldo, Nancy B. and Alvaro, he gave $1.00  After paying expenses of his sickness and funeral, the rest would be divided.  He gave them the right to sell land excepting the two farms for Mary Ann, containing about 800 acres.  

After Mary Ann died quickly after Pierce, the executors moved to have a farm sale.

Both Pierce and Mary Ann were buried in the Old Riverside Cemetery in Defiance, Old Section A, Lot 30

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Surnames T - Wh : Birth Records Located in Defiance County, But Births Actually Occurred Elsewhere

 These are as found in the Birth Records of Defiance County or other files, originals located at the Records Center in Defiance, or as indexed by the Defiance County Genealogical Society and published as a book, available for ordering on our website.  

The DCGS index book notes the actual location of the record.  Births were usually recorded in a log book, but sometimes appeared in other files.  Remember that these are transcriptions and errors in spelling/numbers could appear.  It is always best to check the original record.

T

Taggert, Monroe  (R. C. Taggert & Miss Holsmer) b. Juliett, Penn. - 7 Sept. 1886

Taylor, Gladys (W. S. Taylor & Anna Thomas) b. Williams Co., O. - 8 Jan. 1890

Taylor, Houghton Wells (Samuel Rogers Taylor & Isabelle Forrester Houghton -

b. Allen Co., Indiana - 10 January 1898

Teegardin, Russell Winters (William A. Teegardin & Armona Winters) -

b. Putnam Co., Ohio - 19 March 1876

Thome, Stella Louise (John Thome & Frances Cecelia Schwab) b. Henry Co., O. -

13 October 1908

Thompson, Carrie S. (J. W. Thompson & Lizzie Simmers) b. Clinton Co., O. -

27 October 1888

Thompson, Dorothy (Orlay Thompson & Clara McFarland) b. Akron, Ohio -

7 April 1906

Thorn, Christina (John Thorn & Josephine Longe) b. Seneca Co., O. - 28 July 1896

Todt, Selma Margaret (Theodore A. Todt & Dora E. Stroefer) b. Auglaize Co., O. -

17 November 1907

Towle, Nina B. (Jefferson R. Towle & Hattie H. Parker) b. Paulding Co., O. -

22 July 1886

Travis, Vergil (Horten Travis & Nella May Gibson) b. Napoleon Twp., -28 Feb. 1902

Trembel, Ferris A. (Rosco M. Trembel & Lois I. Bear) b. Columbia City, Indiana -

20 December 1905

Trubey, John Earl Nathan (Nathan J. Trubey & Carrie V. Gilbert) b. Belmont Co., O. -

11 November 1893

Turritin, Elmer T. (Sherman Turritin & Nora Bohn) b. Williams Co., O. - 1 June 1902

V

VanSoggern, August C. (F. G. VanSoggern & Caroline Rutter) b. Henry Co., O. -

15 April 1902

VanVlerah, Frank Guy (Alfred Ayers VanVlerah & Bertha Brower) b. Wisterman,

Putnam Co., O. - 3 December 1882

Vannye, Florence Leona (Wm. Vannye & Elen Huges) b. Williams Co., O. - 21 Feb 1894

Vick, Lester (August Vick & Bessie Schnader) b. Toledo, O. - 18 February 1897

Vinegar, Sada (Grace Vinegar) b. Donlin Co., Kentucky - April 1899

W

Walls, Henry (Lander Walls & May E. Richardson) b. Paulding Co., O. - 31 July 1896

Waltenberger, Elmo Clare (Elmo C. Waltenberger & Sarah Metta Bushong -

b. Paulding Co., Ohio - 23 March 1901

Warford, Horace R. (Job Warford & Lovina) b. Tuscarawas Co., O. - 22 Nov. 1869

Warker, William (William Warker & Laura Robert) b. Paulding Co., O. -1 Feb. 1891

Wasserman, Carl Zeno (Albert Wasserman & Rosanna Hoffman) b. Isabel Co., Mich.

- 11 January 1906

Waters, Edna (Ed Waters & Susie Reeves) b. Centerville, Kentucky - 20 Oct. 1891

Waters, Lucretia ( Horace Waters & Esther L. French) b. Laport Co., Indiana -

22 August 1870

Webster, Mabel D. (Albert M. Webster & Emma F. Fosnight) b. Allen Co., Indiana -

21 April 1907

Wellman, Charles Hartson (Hartson Elsworth Wellman & Louise Deckrosh) -

b. Paulding Co., Ohio - 10 August 1881

Wertman, Kate (Alias Wertman & Mary Pengal) b. Pennsylvania - 20 Nov. 1875

Whetsel, Blanche May Ellen (Otto Whetsel & Alice R. Kelley) b. Wood Co., O. -

9 February 1908

Whitaker, Wilmer Lee (Allie Lee Whitaker & Phoebe Ethel Baldwin) b. Paulding Co., O

- 21 September 1916

Surname S : Birth Records Located in Defiance County, But Births Actually Occurred Elsewhere

 

These are as found in the Birth Records of Defiance County or other files, originals located at the Records Center in Defiance, or as indexed by the Defiance County Genealogical Society and published as a book, available for ordering on our website.  

The DCGS index book notes the actual location of the record.  Births were usually recorded in a log book, but sometimes appeared in other files.  Remember that these are transcriptions and errors in spelling/numbers could appear.  It is always best to check the original record.

S

Saeger, Arnold Seymour (William Saeger & Barbara Westrick) b. Chrd. Co., Kan. -

29 April 1880

Sawyer, Charles (Charles Sawyer & Delie Prongle) b. Wood Co. O. - 21 Feb. 1906

Saylor, Cora (James Wilson Saylor & Hattie Foulks) b. Osborne Co., Kan. -

15 August 1895

Schartzer, N. Russel (Robert Schartzer & Bessie Coslet) b. Williams Co., O. -

10 November 1903

Schatz, Anna Esther (George N. Schatz & Minne Schwater) b. Henry Co., O. -

28 October 1903

Schlosser, Earvel B. (Elmer Schlosser & Emma Whetstone) b. Ridgeville -

12 August 1895

Schlosser, Edgar G. (John Williams Schlosser & Chloe Carter) b. Williams Co., O. -

8 October 1899

Schlosser, Millard F. (Forest Slosser and Maggie Ramsey) b. Henry Co., O. -

14 May 1906

Schlosser, Victor Herold (Albert Allen Schlosser & Clara Agler) b. Henry Co., O. -

13 January 1904

Schondel, Louise V. (Lewis Shondel & Mary Hengestler) b. Paulding Co. O. -

26 April 1900

Schooley, Ellie D. (Orville Schooley & Ora B. Lerry) b. Paulding Co., O. - 6 Oct. 1896

Schotz, John Leshi (Fred Schotz & Rebecca Luster) b. Paulding Co. O. -14 Oct 1900

Schroeder, Carl Henry Fred (H. Schroeder & Anna Swartzman) b. Cleveland, O. -

26 April 1902

Schuett, Ernest Frederick (Frederik Schuett & Frederca Kening) b. Sandusky Co., O.

-1 February 1908

Schultz, Louis William (Christian Frederick Schultz & Dorothea Yedica) - 

b. Henry County, O. - 1 January 1882

Scranton, Ward Eugene (James Albert Scranton & Louisa Frederick Kurtz) 

b. Edgerton, O. - 6 April 1904

Sebert, Eunice (Gust Sebert & Nellie Snyder) b. Hicksville Twp/Paulding Co., O.

-1 December 1890

Shafner, Raymond M. (Michael Shafner & Viola Dillman) b. Putnam Co., O. -

2 July 1897

Shannon, Elmer J. (John Shannon and Euphenia Henry) b. Hancock Co., O. -

14 March 1882

Sherman, Philip Todd (Myron C. Sherman & Martha Elizabeth Todd) b. Wood Co., O

- 20 October 1903

Shields, Vern (C. E. Shields & Lillian Leonard) b. Ford Co., Illinois - 21 April 1906

Shirley, Vera E. (Augustus Charles Shirley & Alice C. Hill) b. Paulding Co., O. -

2 March 1883

Shock, John P. (William Shock & Amanda Haner) b. Henry Co., O. - 10 Nov. 1902

Shock, Nelson ( Peter Shock & Malinda Shoup) b. VanWert Co., O. - 22 Nov. 1902

Shondel, Wm. A. (George Shondel & Ellen Widmer) b. Garrett, Ind. -15 Feb. 1891

Shrimplin, Bessie L. (George Shrimplin & Ella Bailey) b. Iroquois Co., Illinois -

2 December 1891

Simpson, C. W. (Frank Simpson & Ianthe Weaver) b. Williams Co., O. - 14 Oct. 1894

Slattery, G. W. (John Slattery & May Messecar) b. Midway Co., Missouri -

2 August 1904

Smith, Alonzo Eli (James Francis Smith & Jennie Looey Wolf) b. VanBuren Co., Mich.

- 9 March 1891

Smith, Clara Francis (Geo. Smitt & Francis) b. Paulding Co. O. - 4 January 1901

Smith, Elden E. (Jacob Smith & M. J. Henry) b. Williams Co. O. - 19 October 1905

Smith, Elgie Cranson (Emry Smith & Harriet Nicely) b. Wood Co., O., - 12 Oct. 1905

Smith, Elizabeth C. (Joseph Smith & Minnie Funchion) b. Henry Co., O.  -

23 January 1904

Smith, Frank B. (Cash Smith & Lenora Wolf) b. Hamilton Co., O. - 17 May 1892

Smith, Frederick E. (Orlando H. Smith & Attice P. Blair) b. Putnam Co., O. -

3 July 1890

Smith, Marie (Allen Smith & Ida Duboy) b. Putnam Co., O. - 6 September 1900

Smith, Merrill (Frank O. Smith & Cora M. Rigle) b. Williams Co., O. - 1 April 1892

Smith, Paul Dewey (Colonel E. Smith & Myrtle M. Donley) b. Williams Co. O. -

23 June 1898

Smitley, Bessie (H. E. Smitley & Emma Snider) b. Allen Co., Ind. - 2 October 1887

Spain, Bernice (Frank Spain & Alice Shirk) b. Champaign Co., O. - 27 July 1905

Spangler, Dorothy (Henry Rudolph Spangler & Minnie Marie Rosebrook) -

b. Henry Co., Ohio - 2 February 1907

Spencer, Gertie Ann (Frank Spencer & Mary F. Knoll) b. Paulding Co., O. -

8 July 1900

Sprow, Lana May (Andrew Sprow & Anna C. Lamb) b. Paulding Co., O. -

12 May 1894

Spurgeon, Walter James (James Spurgeon & Lydia Riehle) b. Fulton Co., O. -

11 April 1905

Squires, Charles W. (P. E. Squires & Josephine Beam) b. Paulding Co., O. -

24 August 1895

Stanton, Doris Pearl (Lawrence Bradley Stanton & Grace Belle McCullough) -

b. Paulding Co., O. - 22 August 1916

Stauffer, Apriland (Fred Stauffer & Ollie Priest) b. Williams Co. O. - 19 Feb. 1901

Stauffer, Yoland Raymond (George F. Stauffer & Olive Victoria Priest -

b. Williams Co., O. - 19 Feb. 1901

Steel, Levi Ralph (C. B. Steel & Clara Effie Miller) b. Hancock Co. , O. -

14 November 1906

Steele, Roy E. (William B. Steele & Elizabeth E. Meyers) b. Williams Co., O. -

13 June 1883

Sterer, Fred Shellman Jr. (Fred S. Sterer & Freda Shellman) b. Paulding Co., O. -

3 January 1901

Steward, Samuel (Lewis D. Steward & Cora E. Hurni) b. DeKalb Co., Indiana -

6 June 1900

Stewart, Danzil R. (Ross W. Stewart & Ida D. English) b. DeKalb Co., Indiana -

19 July 1907

Stough, J. D. (Wm. G. Stough & Leora Yarnell) b. Fulton Co., O. - 18 June 1893

Strayer, Margaret Elizabeth (Abraham Lincoln Strayer & Emma May Foor) -

b. Henry County, Ohio - 19 April 1912

Strohm, James Albert (Albert Strohm & Mary Elizabeth Croninger) b. Franklin Co., O

- 16 November 1886

Suren, Albert Harrison (Albert Suren & Anna Harrisen) b. Paulding Co., O. -

28 November 1901

Svoboda, David (Andy Svoboda & Mary Osborn) b. Paulding Co., O. -25 Sept. 1903

Swartz, James (Frank Swartz & Ester Bandy) b. Paulding Co., O. -18 Jan. 1897

Switzer, Gret Otto (Philip Sheridan Switzer & Rebecca Jane Hunt) b. Paulding Co., O

-2 July 1896