William Thomas Evans (1869 - 1961)

Born 8 Nov 1869 in Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Leonilla (Phelps) Evans — married 25 Jun 1902 in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States

Died 5 Jun 1961 at age 91 in Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

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Biography

William Thomas Evans was born November 8, 1869^[1], on the family farm located three miles east of the Waterloo city limits (of the time). The farm is now part of Evansdale, Iowa. The town is named in this honor. His parents were John O. Evans and Rebecca (McClintock) Evans.^[2] He married Sarah Leonilla Phelps, of Independence, Iowa, on June 25, 1902.^[3]

Education: William Evans graduated from East High School (Waterloo) in 1889. He then attended the Liberal Arts College of the State University of Iowa, where he owned and operated the Vidette Reporter, a tri-weekly newspaper. He graduated in 1896 with a Bachelor of Philosophy. A year later, he graduated from the law school of the University of Iowa with a degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Law Practice: William Thomas Evans began his law practice in 1897, in Parkersburg, Iowa and in 1924 became associated with the firm of Evans and Van Eman. He was the county attorney of Butler County in 1905-1906, at a salary of $600 a year with no extras for other expenses.

William moved to Waterloo in 1928 and practiced there until his appointment as judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Iowa in 1944. He was appointed Iowa district court judge at the age of 75 and retired after more than six years of service. By then, he was Dean of Iowa Jurists. He was a former judge advocate of the state of Iowa for the Daughters of the Union Veterans.

Political Career: Judge Evans had been active in the Republican Party since 1892, he held his first office in 1896 when he was elected president of the students McKinley Republican Club at Iowa City. He covered Butler, Grundy, Black Hawk, and Bremer Counties in campaign speaking tours in which he displayed his fondness for fiery oratory and flowing phrase.

Judge Evans served as state senator for two terms from Butler County in the 37th and 38th Iowa General Assemblies (1917 to 1921). He was a national delegate-at-large from Iowa to the 1928 Republican National Convention at Kansas City, MO. which nominated Herbert Hoover for president.

It was in 1920, that Judge Evans carried the Republican primary for Iowa Attorney General, but he lacked a fraction of one percent of the necessary number of votes for nomination. For six years (1930-1936), he was a member of the state Republican central committee from the 3rd Iowa district.

Civic Involvement: He was a former chairman of the Black Hawk County Republican Central Committee and of the Early Settlers Association. He was a member of the Cedar Height Community Presbyterian Church, and of the Masons, Elks, and the Knights of Pythias lodges, and of the Optimists and Fortnightly Clubs.

Mr. Evans, during his long active career as jurist, attorney, and politician, wore a bow tie, almost his trademark.

Passing: Judge Evans passed away in Jun. 5, 1961, at the age of 91. Last lived at 2517 Rainbow Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa. He is survived by one son. William Phelps Evans, 912 Vermont St., (Cedar Falls or Waterloo, Iowa) also an attorney, and by three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a daughter who died in infancy, three sisters, and two brothers. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa. ^[4]

Research

FS Sibs for William:

1. Josephine Evans 1852–Deceased • LCFX-RX8
2. Evans 1854–Deceased • 9KDQ-4DY ​​
3. Mary Catherine Evans 1856–1945 • 9KDQ-46S ​​ Done
4. Ellen E. Evans 1861–1953 • KLZB-92V ​​
5. Dora Evans 1863–Deceased • G9X6-N5W ​​
6. John Grant Evans 1866–1957 • 9KDQ-464 ​​ Done
7. William Thomas Evans 1869–Deceased • 9KDQ-468 ​​
8. Elmore Levi Evans 1873–1919 • 9KDQ-46X Done

Sources

1. ↑ "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q246-3ZJB : accessed 18 September 2021), William Thomas Evans, 08 Nov 1869, Waterloo, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States; citing reference ID 100573, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines; FamilySearch digital folder 101693744.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDJV-FXP : 28 May 2021), Wm Evans in entry for J O Evans, 1870.
3. ↑ "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJQ3-8PF : 18 October 2017), William Thomas Evans and Sarah Leonilla Phelps, 25 Jun 1902, Buchanan, Iowa, United States; citing reference , county courthouses, Iowa; FHL microfilm 1,024,827.
4. ↑ Adapted from the Obituary Article - OBITUARY DATE: 6 Jun 1961 - from the Waterloo (Courier) newspaper. Saved in my family History Files. Picture included with Record

See also:

• The Annals of Iowa, Obituary Necrology of Notable Iowans …]
• Find a Grave, database and images (: accessed 18 September 2021), memorial page for William T. Evans (1869–1961), Find A Grave: Memorial #89183159, citing Fairview Cemetery, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa, USA .
• "William Thomas Evans Wolf Family Tree Matching Person details Spouse: Sarah Leonilla Phelps Father: given name surname Mother: given name surname Children: given name Birth: date date 1869 city, Black Hawk, Iowa, USA Death: year city, Black Hawk, Iowa, USA Residence: date city, Butler, Iowa, USA
• Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1856-1940 BIRTH, BAPTISM & CHRISTENING View Image Record information. Name William Thomas Evans Birth dd mm year location Iowa,
• "Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3M-K97S-J?cc=2527591&wc=Q64Q-4SD%3A1590046403 : accessed 29 April 2020), 101693744 > image 579 of 5011; citing State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines.
• Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996 MARRIAGE & DIVORCE Record information. Name William Thomas Evans Spouse Sarah Le...Illa Phelps Mother Rebecca Mc Clintock Father John. Surname Birth location Marriage dd mm year location
• "Iowa Marriages, 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJ5H-NP5 : 10 February 2018), Rebecca Mc Clintock in entry for William Thomas Evans and Sarah Le...Illa Phelps, 25 Jun 1902; citing Independence, Buchanan, Iowa, reference 2:3HZVRP1; FHL microfilm 1,531,417.
• Iowa, Marriage Records, 1880-1940 MARRIAGE & DIVORCE View Image Record information. Name Wm Thos Evans Birth abt year location Marriage location dd mm year
• 1880 United States Federal Census 1880S View Image Record information. Name William T. Evans Birth Abt 1869 Iowa Residence 1880 city, Black Hawk, Iowa, USA AGE: 11 BIRTH DATE: Abt 1869
• Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 1830S View Image Record information. Name Wm T Evans Mother Rebecca Mcclintock Father John surname Birth Iowa Residence dd mm 1925 city, Butler, Iowa, USA AGE: 55 BIRTH YEAR: 1870
• Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925 1830S View Image Record information. Name William T Evans Birth Black Hawk, Iowa Residence 1915 city, Butler, Iowa, USA AGE: 45 BIRTH YEAR: 1870 RESIDENCE DATE: 1915
• U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 BIRTH, BAPTISM & CHRISTENING View Image Record information. Name William Thomas Evans Baptism dd mm year city, Iowa, USA."
• William Thomas Evans 1869–Deceased - FamilySearch Person: 9KDQ-468
• Ancestry.com link