John W. Evans

Interview	Hodges, Carrie L. 	8/21/36. cl737 words. 2nd 	AUG 31 1936 

PIONEERS OF NEW MEXICO. 

John W. Evans. 

One of northeastern New Mexico's most prominent and prosperous business men and 
ranchmen was John W. Evans, who, though he lived a number of years in the town of 
Clayton, called his homestead, located five miles south of town, home. 

Mr. Evans was born in Madison, Indiana, August 17, 1844. When a very small lad, 
he was left fatherless. The mother thenassumed the two-fold duty of parenthood to 
the child, but after a period of invalidism lasting fifteen years, she passed on, 
leaving her son in the care of very near and dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, 
where he was tenderly cared for and reared to young manhood. 

At the declaration of the Civil War, Mr. Evans enlisted in the civil service, and 
served his country well until peace was declared, after which he returned to his 
home in Madison. 

He then entered a school of photography at Cincinatti, Ohio, at which place he 
worked at this profession for several years. 

He then came West and located at Lancaster, Texas, where he opened a studio. 
After several years spent there, he moved his studio to Lisbon, Texas. It was at 
this place he was married to Sarah E. Horn, July 23, 1882. 

They made their home on a farm near Lisbon for five years, then moved to Western 
Texas and located near Vernon. 

It was at this town he left his wife and three step-children while he journied 
farther nest to investigate the new and sparsely populated state of New Mexico, 
with the view of locating, which he did, filing on a claim of 160 acres, five 
miles south of Clayton, on the Perico, in the year 1883. Later he filed on an 
adjoining 160 acres, and as time passed, purchased land from adjoining neighbors 
until the "Evans Ranch," as it became popularly known, consisted of 3800 acres. 

Their first home consisted of a tent and dug-out in which they lived for some 
time, as building materials were difficult to obtain. At last they were 
priviledged to build a modest abode, which they occupied during their stay on the 
ranch, covering a period of twenty years. 

As this location was in a well watered district, this progressive family enjoyed 
the priviledge of truck gardening aand fruit orchard, a luxury denied 
manyinhabitants of the state, even today. 

The cattle industry proved successful for them, and they were considered among 
the most successful ranchers of the community. 

In 1891 or 1892, Mr. Evans erected a frame building on the site of the present 
"Evans Block," located on 1st. Street and Main, Clayton, New Mexico. For several 
years he conducted a general store, and after his appointment as postmaster of 
Clayton, in 1893, the postoffice was also located in this store. Mr. Evans was 
the town's third postmaster, and served in this capacity for seven years. 

This general store and postoffice building was destroyed by fire in later years, 
and, the building known as the Land Office Building-at the present time, the home 
of the W. P. A. office force- was erected on the site. The other frame buildings 
that compose the "Evans Block," were also built at the same time. 

It will be of historical interest to the present generation to know that the 
stone building, located in the "Evans Block," on 1st. Street is the first 
location of the original "Tixier Dry Goods Store," owned and operated by the late 
M. B. Tixier, of Clayton. This building was erected by Mr. Evans for the sole 
purpose of accommodating Mr. Tixier in his business efforts. 

After his resignation from the position of postmaster, Mr. Evans retired for a 
period of relaxation, after which he accepted the position of cashier in the 
First National Bank of Clayton, organized and operated by the late Herbert J. 
Hammond, Sr., and located in the old postoffice building. 

At this time the Evans family moved into town and resided in what is now known as 
the Dr. Charlton home on Main Street, one door east of the present Pioneer 
Garage. 

After serving in the capacity of Cashiern for a number of years, Mr. Evans 
retired from active business and spent the remainder of his days at the ranch 
home, now known as the Rixey Ranch, on Perico Creek. 

On July 31, 1911, he passed away, and with his passing, Clayton lost on of its 
earliest most respected and influential citizens. 

Hodges, Carrie L. 

John W. Evans. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Interview, Mrs. Sarah E. Evans, 324 Pine St., Clayton, New Mexico, to Carrie L. 
Hodges, August 21, 1936.

Credit: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project 
Collection.

Union

**********************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any 
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or 
organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of 
the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the 
listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given 
permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.
**********************************************************************************