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.
"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.
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.
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.
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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