Evans, William

Rome Sentinel
September 19, 1902

William Evans, aged 78 years, died at his home, 202 Elm Street, at 8:30 am today from a general wearing out of the system. He had been confined to his bed only since Monday afternoon last, having been down street on Monday forenoon. He had been in failing health for the past year. William Evans was born in Merionethshire, Wales Jan. 1, 1824, and came to American twenty years later, locating in Oriskany Valley, where he lived about 15 years. He then moved to Oriskany where he resided about the same length of time. About a year before coming to this country he married Jane Evans, not a relative although bearing the same name.

In Oriskany he was employed for a time in Dexter's woolen mill and then carried on farming and the butcher business, coming to Rome in 1871, following his son, the late David G. Evans, his family coming here in 1874. For a time they carried on a butcher shop in a small wooden building which stood on the northerly side of Dominick street next to the corner of Washington, where the Arlington Hotel now stands. Their predecessor in the business at that point was Richard Williams. While at that location they built the block on N. Washington Street, where the Evans continued active in the business until 1901, when he sold out his interests to his son, Griffith, who had been associated with him for some years.

Mr. Evans had always been a Republican, starting in with the Whig party. He never aspired to office but lived quietly and was highly esteemed as a citizen. He was a member and trustee of the Welch Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Evan's first wife died about 21 years ago. There years later he married Mrs. William Owens of Rome, who survives; one son, Griffith of Rome, one daughter, Mrs. Jones, wife of Rev. R. T. Jones, of Philadelphia, Pa, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Innes of Batavia. The late Hon. David G. Evans, Hon. Isaac J. Evans, and Dr. Edwin Evans were his sons.