GEORGE A. EVANS.
Among the men who played well their part in the pioneer days of Walla Walla county, when conditions of life were such as to test to the utmost a man's mettle, was numbered George A. Evans, who came to the west by wagon train. He turned his attention to farming, but his last days were passed in well earned leisure. He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, December 6, 1835, and remained there until he reached mature years. In the meantime he had received but three months of common school education and had acquired habits of industry and of perseverance that were to stand him in good stead in the new northwest. In 1854 he removed to Sidney, Iowa, and two years later, in 1856, he joined a wagon train of forty ox teams and accompanied by his family, his parents and brothers and sisters, made the long journey across the continent to Walla Walla, arriving here in August. At that time the Indians were quite restive and had attacked several wagon trains and massacred a number of the emigrants, but the train with which Mr. Evans journeyed was not molested. For some time he drove a team engaged in freighting in this state and Idaho, principally between Walla Walla, Boise and Silver City, and thus became thoroughly familiar with this section of the northwest and gained a wide acquaintance among the early settlers. His first winter in Walla Walla, that of 1861, was one of the worst ever known in this country and it was a serious problem among the pioneers to make a living. Mr. Evans succeeded in finding employment as a mule herder for the government on what is now known as Eureka Flats. After the coming of the railroad he turned his attention to farming and became the owner of large and valuable holdings. At length, feeling that he was entitled to a period of rest, he retired and removed to Walla Walla, where his death occurred April 2, 1916.
RESIDENCE OF WOODSON CUMMINS
Mr. Evans first married Bethsidia Williams, who died, and in 1886 he married Miss Bessie Bambrick, a native of Nova Scotia, and they became the parents of two children, one of whom survives, Mrs. W. R. McDermott, of San Francisco. Mrs. Bessie Evans passed away September 3, 1905, and on December 18, 1907, Mr. Evans married Miss Anna Bower, who survives him and resides at No. 549 South Division street. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is a woman of many admirable qualities.
Mr. Evans was a loyal member of the Masonic fraternity and was laid to his last rest with Masonic honors. For ten years he held membership in St. Paul's Episcopal church and in his daily life he was a consistent Christian, thoroughly upright in all his dealings, kindly in spirit and considerate of others. In his home life he was ever a loving husband and father and his large capacity for friendship gained him the warm regard of all who knew him intimately. He had a keen interest in educational affairs and for sixteen years served as a trustee of St. Paul's school. With his passing Walla Walla lost one of her prominent citizens and his demise was the occasion of widespread regret.