John Evans

John Evans, Father of Matilda Jane Evans, and My Wife's Great Great Grandfather was born in Kentucky in 1820.  Here is an except from: Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska that gives an account of him: John Evans, farmer and stock raiser, Section 6, P.O. Sterling, was born and reared in Kentucky, where he followed the blacksmithing business until 1854, when he removed to Missouri, where he took up the farming business, which he followed there until 1863, when he came here (Johnson County Nebraska), and has been actively connected with the present industry here since.  In 1862, he was married to Miss Frances I. Cox, who was born and reared in Missouri.  They have a family of three daughters and three sons --Matilda J., Senea A., Keturah A., James W., Charles E. and Robert E.  Mr E has been an active worker in the development of the different industries of the locality. While living in Missouri John saw the start of the pony express in 1860 which ran from Missouri to California.  The civil war was splitting Missouri at that time.  The state ended up turning primarily Union but still supplied 40,000 troops to the Confederacy. Above is a photo of the location in 1857 of the first settlement in Sterling, NE. John and Frances arrived there 6 years later.  This is where they raised their family. John lived until the age of 73, passing away on Oct 5, 1893 in Sterling, Nebraska.