Robert C. and Jesse S. Evans Bio. Hancock County, WV ********************************************************************** USGENWEB 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. ********************************************************************** Submitted by: Valerie Crook The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 254 Hancock County ROBERT C. AND JESSE S. EVANS. None of the mercantile establishments at Weirton are better known or have gained a greater success during a like period of years than the general merchandise enterprise of Evans Brothers, the pro- prietors of which are Robert C. and Jesse S. Evans. These men have built up a large and flourishing business from small beginnings, and while advancing their personal success have contributed to the progress of the community not only through the development of a worthy commercial venture but through their constructive and helpful support of meas- ures promulgated for the betterment of the city's institutions. The Evans brothers were born at New Cumberland, Han- cock County, West Virginia, Robert C. on June 4, 1873, and Jesse 8., June 24. 1879, their parents being James Madi- son and Emma E. (Evans) Evans. Mrs. Evans, who was born at Wheeling, still survives and resides at New Cumber- land, at the age of eighty-four years. James Madison Evans was born near New Cumberland, in 1841, a son of Jeremiah C. Evans, an agriculturist, who passed his life in Hancock County and was an extensive operator. On reaching man- hood James Madison Evans adopted farming for his life work, and spent his whole life in Hancock County, where up to the time of his retirement he tilled the soil and was a large grower of fruit. He resided at New Cumberland, surrounded by the comforts attainable by the fruits of his early industry and where he died in March, 1916. Robert C. and Jesse S. Evans received good, practical educational advantages as lads in the public schools of Hancock County. They were reared as farmers' sons, but neither desired to lead an agricultural life, and accordingly accepted positions as clerks, where they gained their intro- duction to business methods. Robert C. Evans also served two terms, or eight years, from 1904 to 1912, as assessor of Hancock County, an office to which he was elected on the republican ticket. In May, 1912, the Evans brothers founded the Weirton Supply Company, a grocery and mar- ket, their initial capital being about $2,500. The business was continued in the same way, although with growing success, until 1918, when it was connsolidated, with a store at Weirton which the brothers had started in 1916 as a branch of the original business. In the same year they had erected a double store, three stories in height, of brick, at the present location, coating $28,000, and in 1921 an- other store was added, with lodge hall and two apartments above, making the entire building cost about $37,000. The first year's sales were about $30,000, but have run as high as $225,000, and the stock carried regularly is valued at from $20,000 to $25,000, or more than ten times the original stock. Eight employes are kept busy and the trade is by no means confined to Weirton, many of the patrons of the establishment residing in the rural districts and the nearby towns and villages. The brothers are men of sound integ- rity who have established excellent reputations for honor- able dealing and honest representation. They are inter- ested as good citizens in civic matters and give their moral and material support to all measures which promise to be of benefit to their community. They have several connec- tions of a fraternal character, and their friends are numer- ous in social circles. Robert C. Evans married Miss Mary L. Mayhew, daughter of J. H. Mayhew, who was superintendent of the Hancock County Infirmary for a number of years. To this union there have been born two children: Edna, a teacher in the public school at Holliday's Cove; and James Henderson, D. D. S., a graduate of the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia. Jesse S. Evans was united in marriage with Miss Vir- ginia Wilson, of New Cumberland, and they have five chil- dren: Emma Virginia, Dorothy, James L., Fred W. and Lambert.