James F. Evins, postmaster of Blodgett, Mo., and a member of the firm Evins & Marshall, general
merchants, was born in Lyon County, Ky., January 20, 1854, and is the only child of William S.
and Elizabeth (Withrow) Evins, both natives of Kentucky, the latter of German descent. The
grandfather, Louis Evins, was also a native of Kentucky. He died in Scott County, Mo., in March
1884. William S. Evins was reared in his native State, and immigrated to Missouri in 1856. He
purchased a farm from A. Hunter, about one and a half miles south of Blodgett, upon which he
resided until his death in 1884. He served in the Civil War, and being a carpenter by trade, much
of his time was devoted to building flat-boats for the service. However, he was in several
skirmishes, and was twice wounded by gunshots. Upon the death of Mrs. Evins, in 1856, James
F. was sent back to Kentucky, where he remained with his aunt until 1869. He then returned to
Missouri, and located on the old homestead, and remained until March, 1872, when he went to
Dardanelle, Ark., and attended school about three years. Returning home he assisted his father on
the farm two years, after which he went to Fort Smith, Ark., and served for a time as captain and
pilot of a steam ferry boat. He was then successively engaged in running on a steamboat, clerking
in a store and working in a chair-factory, etc. Returning home again he speculated for a time in
stock and watermelons, after which he was employed as clerk in a government snag-boat, running
between Wichita, Kas., and Little Rock, Ark. In 1884 he removed to Blodgett, and was engaged
as clerk in A.J. Pigg's store until February, 1885, when he engaged in the mercantile business for
himself, but in 1887 he sold out, and soon after built a grist-mill, which he still manages in
connection with his mercantile business. On June 12, 1883, he was united in marriage with
Elizabeth J. Pigg. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Mr. Evins is an
intelligent and enterprising gentleman, and is possessed of good business qualifications. |