Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

2846 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSCounty, where their respective families were founded in the pioneer era. Hisgreat-grandfather Ruel Evans was a native of North Carolina, settling inJefferson County, Georgia, about 1790. The original American progenitorsof this now numerous and honored Southern family came from Wales, fourbrothers having emigrated to this country in colonial days, first settling inVirginia, whence two or more of them later removed to North Carolina,including the immediate ancestors of the Georgia branch.The early members of the Evans family became successful planters, andthe name has continued through succeeding generations to be identified withthe agricultural industry of the South. Ruel Evans, founder of the Georgiabranch, was a pioneer planter and influential citizen of Jefferson Countyuntil his death. His son Hezekiah, grandfather of James H. Evans, was ayoung man when he established his home in Screven County. After hismarriage there to Miss Sarah Moore he became one of the extensive landowners and slave holders of the county, was a leader in affairs and at thetime of his death was recognized as one of the most honored pioneers.John Ruel Evans was born in Sereven County in 1821, spent his entirelife there and died at the venerable age of eighty-two in 1903. He hadbecome established as a planter in his native county when the South enteredupon that great struggle which was destined to bring to it so much of tribulation, distress and devastation, the Civil war. Ardently loyal to the cause ofthe Confederacy, he tendered his service in its defense, enlisting in thatsplendid organization, the Fifth Georgia Cavalry, commanded by Gen. JosephWheeler. In spite of his age he proved a faithful and energetic soldier, tookpart in numerous engagements, including some of the most sanguinary battles,and fought with his command until the end. In later years he was anappreciative member of the United Confederate Veterans. Through thisaffiliation he vitalized his interest in his old comrades and perpetuated thememories of his active military career. At the close of the war he resumedfarming in Screven County, bravely facing the responsibilities that devolvedupon him in contributing to the revival of the prostrate industries of theSouth. Undismayed by the changed conditions, he made the best use ofopportunities presented, and in time again secured a place as one of the successful farmers and earnest, loyal and influential citizens of Screven County.None knew him but to admire and esteem him, and he was called upon toserve in various local offices of public trust, including those of tax receiver,clerk of the court and county commissioner. Altogether he spent fully aquarter of a century in public office. He was an active democrat, was affiliatedwith the Masonic fraternity, and both he and his wife were members of theBaptist Church. His wife, Mrs. Evans, passed away at the age of eighty-sevenin April, 1914. She was a true gentlewoman of unvarying sympathy andkindliness, and her memory is a benediction to all who knew her. Of thefourteen children the first born, Ruel, died at the age of five years; Marthawas thirteen years old at the time of her death; John R., Jr., is a retiredplanter of Screven County; James H. is the next in age; Sarah is the widowof J. Boston Morgan and resides at Tampa, Florida; William E., who was aprosperous planter of Screven County, died in a hospital in the City ofSavannah in 1912; Charles J. and Hezekiah were killed in a steam engineexplosion near the old home, and they were buried in the cemetery of DouglasChurch, of which they had been faithful and consistent members; Anna isthe wife of James Robbins, a planter of Screven County; Evalina firstmarried James Downing and after his death became the wife of RobertPoythress, their home being in Screven County; Magnolia is the wife ofAlexander E. Sowel of Screven County; Dahlia is the wife of Rev. HenryS. McCall, pastor of several Baptist churches in Screven County; HerschelV. is a planter; Jessie is the widow of Henry Moore, who died about 1900and was a farmer of Screven County.