OBIT: EVANS, Alvin; 1906; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ Cambria Freeman Ebensburg, Pa. Friday, 22 Jun 1906 Volume 40, Number 24 Former Congressman Evans Dead Johnstown, Pa., June 20 Ex-Congressman Alvin Evans died at his home in Ebensburg, this county, last night. He was born October 4, 1845, and was widely known in this section of the state. He entered congress from this district in 1896 and served two full terms and besides during his life time, filled a number of local offices. Death Claims Another Prominent Citizen of Ebensburg The Hon. Alvin Evans, Leading Attorney, Statesman and Citizen, Answers to Call of the Grim Reaper last Tuesday Evening Funeral was Held This Afternoon After a lingering illness of several months' duration, ex-Congressman Alvin Evans expired at his home in this place at 10 o'clock Friday evening. The condition of Mr. Evans had been considered critical for several weeks and it was realized that the end was near. The deceased had taken a prominent part in the affairs of this community and congressional district and was one of the most widely known practitioners at the Cambria County bar. Alvin Evans was a son of David J. and Jane Ann (Jones) Evans and was born in Ebensburg Oct. 4, 1845. His grandfather was John Evans, who was a native of the principality of Wales, but who, in about 1833, came to America. He was a carpenter and wood worker by trade. He married and reared a large family, one of whom, David J. Evans, was the father of Alvin Evans. He was born in Wales in 1813 and came to the United States about 1836. He was a tailor by trade and plied his craft at Munster, Pittsburg and other places and finally located in Ebensburg. He married Jane Ann Jones, who was a daughter of David Jones, a native of Wales but who in [word faded] came to America and settled in Cambria township. Mr. Evans acquired his early mental [words faded] in the public schools and in the [word faded] business college at Pittsburg. [words faded] the battle of life on his own [several words faded] an early age of 16 years his mother [word faded] when he was but a child. He worked at the lumber business in his native county until he arrived at the age of 21. In 1870 he entered the office of George M. Reade, deceased, of Ebensburg, as a student of the law and was admitted to the bar of Cambria County in 1883, since which time much honor and distinction has been conferred upon him. Politically Mr. Evans was a Republican. At the Republican convention held in Ebensburg in the spring of 1896 he received the unanimous endorsement of the Republican party in this county for congress in the Twentieth congressional district and served two full terms. He was a member of the Congregational church to whose support he always contributed liberally. He was also a member of Summit Lodge No. 312, Free and Accepted Masons and of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, both of Ebensburg. Nov. 17, 1875 he married Miss Kate E. Shryock, daughter of John K. and Susan M. Shryock. To their union were born four children: John E., a promising young attorney of the Cambria County bar; Charles S., a law student in the office of what has been known as Evans & Evans - John E., and his father having formed a partnership in the law business within the last few years; Florence M., wife of Attorney John W. Kephart of this place, and Alvin W., who recently graduated from Cornell with high honors. In professional and private life Mr. Evans always bore himself above reproach and by his superior ability and manly traits of character won respect and popularity wherever he was known. As a lawyer he ranked with the leading attorneys of the state of Pennsylvania. The funeral was held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after services in the First Congregational Church in this place, interment being held in Lloyd cemetery. Summit Lodge, F. & A. M. were in attendance and also the Improved Order of Heptasophs. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in this section.