BENJAMIN F. EVANS. The life of Mr. Evans has been marked by deep conviction of duty, which has led him to conscientiously regard all trusts reposed in him. Possessed of praiseworthy ambition to succeed he has applied himself with great diligence to business, seizing all opportunities for informing himself thoroughly as to minor details. This explains his ready grasp of the whole field of operations and the signal success that has attended his business career. Such a man is capable of filling any position, for the people know that he will act for them as he would for himself. Mr. Evans is now the capable mayor of Winona, Missouri. and was elected to that position by the Democratic party, of which he is a strong advocate. He was born in Union City, West Tennessee, in 1845, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Scott) Evans, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky.
The parents were married in Tennessee and passed their entire lives there, the father engaged in farming. He enlisted in the War of 1812, but too late to take part. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, he was three months over ninety years of age. He was treasurer of Obion County Tennessee, at the commencement of the war and in politics was a Democrat. He was also a prominent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Evans has been three times Married, as had also his wife, and they reared a good-sized family.
Benjamin F. Evans spent his school days at Union City, and on May 15, 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Tennessee Infantry, twelve months’ service at that time. Later he was with the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, Confederate Army, and was with the same until April 21, 1865. He was severely wounded at Union City, Tennessee Mr. Evans fought bravely for the “lost cause” and participated in the following engagements: Belmont, Island No. 10, New Madrid, Shiloh, Harrisburg, Paducah, Kentucky, Fort Pillow, and while with Forrest’s army was in many skirmishes. The last time he was captured by the Federals he was taken to Alton, Illinois, and remained there until exchanged two months later at Vicksburg, Miss. He subsequently held the position of recruiting officer in West Tennessee and was thus engaged at the close of the war. Soon after cessation of hostilities and after recovering from his severe service Mr. Evans began working at the carpenters’ trade at Union City, Tennessee, and continued this for six years. After this he bought, sold and shipped staves to New Orleans, and continued this until 1876, when he came to Missouri and located at Golden City. There he made his home until about 1888, was city marshal there for three years and the balance of the time was following his trade. Coming to Winona he engaged in his trade and built many of the best residences of the city. Two years later he was elected mayor and justice of the peace and has discharged the duties of these offices in an able and satisfactory manner. He also engaged in the real estate and insurance business. In the year 1869 he was married to Miss Sallie E. Ward, daughter of Rev. John W. Ward, of Obion County, Tennessee, and they have four children, three daughters and a son. Mr. Evans is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he and wife are highly esteemed in the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.