Biography--Farwell City, Clare Co  
Ephraim B. Evans, M.D.

Submitted for use by USGENWEB Clare County, Michigan  October 2002  
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EPHRAIM B. EVANS, M.D., Biography / Surrey Township, Clare County, 
Michigan 
 
Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan.  Chicago: Record 
Publishing Co., 1895. 
 
 
EPHRAIM B. EVANS, M.D., of Farwell, is one of the most successful physicians 
of Clare County.  He came to this place in April, 1873, and is thus one of the 
pioneer physicians of this section.  He conducts an exceedingly large practice 
and is considered by all to be one of the most eminent medical men of this 
portion of the state. 
 
A native of Ohio, our subject was born in Huntsburg, Geauga County, April 24, 
1848, and is the son of ADIN C. and ABIGAIL L. (STRONG) EVANS, natives 
respectively of New York and Massachusetts.  Grandfather ANDREW EVANS 
was also a native of the Empire State, whence he removed to Ohio in an early 
day, making his first home near Columbus.  Later, however, he took up his abode 
in Geauga County, and there died when in the seventy-eighth year of his age.  
He was a shoemaker by trade, and to this added the occupation of a farmer.  He 
became the head of a large family, of whom ADIN C. was the eldest.  The latter 
was born February 12, 1819, and was the only son in the family at the time of the 
removal to Ohio.  Being the eldest, he was compelled to assist his father in his 
various enterprises, and worked hard in order to improve the soil of their new 
farm.  When reaching mature years and starting out for himself, he chose the life 
of a farmer, and is now the proprietor of five hundred acres of as valuable land as 
can be found in Geauga County, Ohio. 
 
The mother of our subject was the daughter of ASAHEL STRONG, a native of 
Northampton, Mass., and descended from the STRONG who aided in founding 
the Plymouth Rock settlement.  Her father, with three of his brothers, emigrated 
to Geauga County, Ohio, locating there at a time when the country was little 
more than a wilderness and the dwellings of the pioneers were few and far 
between.  Mrs. ABIGAIL EVANS died in November, 1889, aged sixty-eight 
years.  She became the mother of three children, of whom CLARA IS now the 
wife of HORACE CARRUTHERS, of Geauga County.  ASAHEL died at the age 
of twenty-one years.  The father of this family was a Republican in politics after 
the formation of the party, and was an official member of the Congregational 
Church. 
 
EPHRAIN B. EVANS obtained his first schooling while residing on his father's 
farm in Huntsville Township, Geauga County.  After completing the line of study 
taught in the rude log schoolhouse he entered the Normal Institute at Orwell, 
Ohio.  He made the journey to this state in the fall of 1870, and began reading 
medicine with ASAHEL B. STRONG, M.D., his uncle, who was then living at 
Reading, Hillsdale County.  After receiving instruction under this able physician 
for some time, he entered the Michigan University and was graduated from the 
medical department in the Class of '73. 
 
When looking around for a suitable location, Dr. EVANS came to Farwell, arriving 
here with only $10 in money, and this he was compelled to part with, as the 
proprietor of the hotel demanded two weeks' pay in advance.  This now 
flourishing place contained but one street, two blocks in length, over which were 
strewn the stumps which had just been grubbed up but not removed.  Dr. EVANS 
at once found business, applied himself very closely to his professional 
duties,and in time became widely known for his success and skill, and the people 
place great reliance on him. 
 
Dr. EVANS married, December 25, 1879, Miss HATTIE L., daughter of NELSON 
MUNSELL.  She was born in Geauga County, Ohio, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother of four children, CLYDE N. (deceased), LYLE A., 
ROLLA A. and PAUL A.  The progressive public spirit of the Doctor has placed 
him among the foremost who has sought to promote the growth and enhance the 
general welfare of Farwell, and his name is inseparably connected with the 
advancement of various enterprises calculated to improve this place in particular 
and Clare County in general.  In politics he is a stanch supporter of the 
Republican party, and takes great interest in its success. For fifteen years he was 
Supervisor of the Poor, and since 1875 has been the United States Examining 
Surgeon.  On one occasion he was candidate for the office of Register of Deeds 
of Clare County, but the vote resulted in a tie.  He was a member of the State 
Board of Charities for many years, and in many ways has served his fellow-
townsmen in important positions.  Socially he is a member of Corning Lodge No. 
335, A.F. & A.M., and was the first candidate installed in this lodge, which he has 
served as Secretary since 1878.  He is also a member of Pleasant Chapter No. 
111, R.A.M., in which order he takes an active part.  He has a strong hold on the 
affections of his fellow-townsmen, and of the many to whose ailments he has 
administered, and he has formed many true and lasting friendships. 
 
 
Submitted for use by USGENWEB Clare County, Michigan