Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/25

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EVAN8


EVANS


to Prof. Edward Paj'son Evans of the Universit y of Jlicliigau in 1868. They removed to Munirh, Bavaria, in 18T0, and there both Mr. and Mrs. Evans engaged in literary work. She publislied in America, besides contributions to periodicals: The. Abuse of Maternity (1875); Laura, an American Girl, a novel (1884); A History of lieliijions (1892); and in London, The Story of Kaspar IJauser (1892); Tlie Story of Louis XVIL of France (1893); Trans- planted Manners, a novel (1895); Confession, a novel (1895); Ferdinand Lassalle and Uelene von Donniyes, A Modern Tragedy (1897).

EVANS, Evan Wilhelm, educator, was born in Swansea, Wales, Jan. (i, 1827. He immigrated with his parents in 1831, settling in Bradford county. Pa. He was graduated from Yale in 1851; was principal of the Delaware literary in- stitute, Franklin, N.Y., 1852-55; tutor at Yale, 1855-56, and professor of natural pliilosophy and astronomy at Marietta college, 1857-64. He en- gaged as a mining engineer, 1864-66; spent the next year abroad, and in 1867 was the first profes- sor appointed to the chair of mathematics in Cornell university, which he held until 1874. He published; Primary Elements of Plane and Solid (reometry (1862); and Studies in Cymric Philology in the Archa-ologia Camhrensis. He died in Ithaca, N.Y., May 22, 1874.

EVANS, Frederick William, communist, was born in Leominster. Worcestershire, England, June 9, 1808; son of George and Sarah (White) Evans. His boj'hood was passed upon a farm and he received no legular instruction until after lie immigrated to the United States, with his father, and brotlier George H. Evans, in 1820, making his home in Binghamton, N.Y. At this time he barely knew the alphabet, but he taught himself to read from the '" Life of Nelson," next attended the school of an Episcopal minister at Itliaca, N.Y., and then api)renticed liimself to a liatter at Sherburne Four Corners, N.Y., where he liad access to a library and continued his self education. About 1828 he became a convert to communism and to the socialistic tlieories of Robert Dale Owen, and walked eight hundred miles from New York to join the community at Massilon, Ohio. He spent the jear 1829 in Eng- land, returning to New York in January, 1830, to assist in planning a new community. Being dep- uted by liis associates to travel for information and to find a suitable location, lie visited the Shaker community at Mount Lebanon, N.Y., June 3, 1830, and remained there three months. He then went back to New York city, related his experiences to his friends, and finally returned to Mount Lebanon to join the Shakers. In 1838 he was chosen elder of the North family and in 1858 first elder of the Novitiate order of the com- mnnitv. He was a lecturer ami writer and led


the opposition to the Sunday closing of the World's Columbian exposition. His published works include; Compendium of Principles, Pules, Doctrines, and Government of Shakers (1859); Auto- hioyraphy of a Shaker (1869); 'Test of Divine Pevela- «joft (1869); Sliaker Communism (1871); Peliyious Communism, a lecture delivered in London, Eng- land (1872); and Second Appearing of Christ (1873). With Antoinette Doolittle he edited and pub- lished The Shaker and Sliakeress, 1873-75. He died at Lebanon, N.Y., March 6, 1893.

EVANS, George, senator, was born in Hallo- well, Maine, Jan. 12, 1797. He was graduated at Bowdoin college in 1815 and was admitted to the bar in 1818. He practised in Gardiner, Maine, and represented that town in the state legisla- ture, 1825-28, being speaker of the house in 1828. He was a representative in the 21st-26th con- gresses, 1829-41, and a U.S. senator, 1841-47. As a representative of the Whig party he com- manded a large influence over the minority and in the senate he was chairman of the committee on finance. He was a candidate before the Whig national convention of 1848, for the vice-jiresi- dential nomination, and he was appointed by President Taylor chairman of the Mexican claims commission. He was attorney -general of Maine, 1853-55; an overseer of Bowdoin college, 1827—45; a trustee, 184.5-67; and received from that in- stitution the degree of A.M. in 1818 and that of LL.D. in 1847. He also received the degree of LL.D. from Washington college. Pa., in 1846. He died in Portland, Maine, April 6, 1867.

EVANS, Henry Clay, representati\e, was born in Juniata county. Pa., June 18, 1843; son of Jesse B. and Anna (Single) Evans. He at- tended the schools of Platteville and Lancaster, Wisconsin Territory, until March, 1859, when he became clerk in the register's ofBce, Grant coimty. He enlisted as a private in the 41st Wisconsin infan- try, and served in the civil war as a soldier, 1862-G4. He was then stationed at Chatta- nooga, Term., as a civilian in the U.S. army, 1864-65; was agent for the sec- retary of war in clos- ing up the military depot there, and in removing the Union dead from the battle-fields and temporary burj'ing grounds to the National cemeteries, 186.5-67; and was engaged in building barrac'ks in Texas, 1867-70. He returned to Chattanooga in 1870 where he served as president