Ira Cutting Evans, a well-known printer and publisher of Concord, was born in Hill, N.H., April 16, 1841, son of Jonathan and Olive Aiken (Cutting) Evans. His parents were natives of the State, and have resided in Merrimack County over fifty years. On the paternal side Mr. Evans is a descendant of John Evans, who served in most of the important battles fought in Northern New England during the struggle for American independence. The Cutting family is an old and highly reputable one; and John O. Cutting, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a prominent resident of Concord in his day.
Mr. Evans attended the public schools of Concord until he was fourteen years old, and then entered the employ of McFarland & Jenks, publishers of the New Hampshire Statesman. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, for service in the Civil War. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at Pleasant Valley, Md., and participated in all its battles. After the battle of Gettysburg, in company with the Second and Fifth New Hampshire Regiments, it was sent to Point Lookout, Md., where it was quartered some eight months, waiting for recruits. When again ordered to active duty, it was attached to the Army of the James, under the command of General Butler. After participating in the engagements at Drury’s Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, and Swift Creek, it was transported to White House Landing, and was with General Grant at the battle of Cold Harbor. It was also present at the siege of Petersburg, where Mr. Evans was promoted to the post of principal musician, and at the capture of Richmond. On June 21, 1865, it was mustered out of the service. After his return from the army Mr. Evans resumed his connection with the printing business in Concord, first entering the employ of William Butterfield, publisher of the New Hampshire Patriot. Afterward he was in the employ of the Independent Democrat, People, and Independent Statesman. His political affiliations have been with the Republican party since reaching his majority, and his vigorous advocacy of its principles has been exceedingly valuable to it in this part of the State. He was elected to the legislature for the years 1895 and 1896. He was also public printer during the years 1891 and 1892.
On August 3, 1865, Mr. Evans wedded Helen G. Rowe, a native of Concord. Of the four children born to them, two are living-Mabel F. and Ira Leon. Mr. Evans is a member of Eureka Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M.; of White Mountain Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F.; of Concord Lodge, No. 8, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a Past Chancellor; and of the A. O. U. W. He is a Past Commander of E. E. Sturtevant Post, No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic; was delegate at large to the National Encampment at San Francisco in 1884; and he has served as Aide-de-camp upon the staff of the department commander. He was for five years connected with the National Guard; and he is the publisher of the Veterans’ Advocate, which was established in 1884, and which is the only newspaper issued in New Hampshire.