Evans Family History

First Generation

Adam Evens was born in Prussia. His wife’s name is unknown. Their children included Nicholas Evens.

Second Generation

 Nicholas Evens, Sr. was born January 26, 1832 in Rhine, Germany and died January 21, 1917 in Albany, Stearns County, MN. He married Margaretha Lenarz in 1858 in Albany. She was the daughter of Nicholas Lenarz and Anna Bongard. She was born October 15, 1839 in Brick Kreis, Baun, Rhine, Germany, and died October 13, 1915 in Albany. Their children Included; Nicholas, William, Henry E., Joseph, and Barbara.

As a soldier in the German Army, Nicholas decided to immigrate to America. At the age of 21, he left Germany on a sailing vessel that faced unfavorable winds. The trip took 29 days. After landing in New York, he immediately went to St. Anthony Falls, MN (now Minneapolis) and then moved on to where Farming, MN is now located. Nicholas Evens was the first settler to file on a homestead in Farming Township. He received a homestead of 80 acres entitled Lots 6 and 11/section 31/Township 124/range 31-W (St. Cloud, Stearns Co., MN Land Office). Although, he actually settled on the land in 1858, he filed an application March 9, 1864, then a patent for the land May 13, 1865, and finally received the Deed April 10, 1866 which was signed by the Secretary of President Andrew Johnson. The application cost $11 and when he filed the patent, Nicholas paid $1.25 per acre or $100. He also filed the fact that he was married with two children and an intent to become a citizen of the United Sates. Peter Wehr was a witness for the transactions.

Nicholas had built a single floor house of logs with a shingle roof, one door and one window. After several years as a bachelor, he married Margaretha Lenarz who was the daughter of another pioneer family. Margaretha and her parents immigrated to this country when she was very young. They settled on a homestead near Albany. Seeing the need for a blacksmith and an opportunity to make some extra money, Nicholas started a blacksmith shop on the farm. Devoted Catholics, the family often walked to Richmond, Stearns County, MN for church as they had no horses. In 1880, a church was built in Farming. Late in life, Nicholas retired and moved to Albany.

The 1880 U.S. Census had Nicholas listed as age 46 and with a real property value of $500 and personal property of $200. The entire family was listed as Evans and the ages were not accurately reported. During an interview with Nicholas, he indicated his father's name was Adam. His death certificate reports the same.

Obituary - Albany Enterprise, October 1915

Mrs. Nick Evans died Wednesday. Deceased was 76 years old and came to America in year 1844. Mrs Nicholas Evans, aged 76 years succumbed at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, Oct 13, 1915, after an illness of several months. The funeral has been arranged for tomorrow morning at nine o;clock at the Church of the Seven Dolors. Deceased Margaret Lenarz was born at Tribor Germany, on October 15 1839 and was five years old when she came to America. She was married to Nicholas Evans in 1858 and resided in farming until six years ago when they moved to Albany. She is survived by her husband, four sons, Nick and William of Farming, Joe of Elrosa, and Henry of Albany; one daughter Barbara at home. One brother Henry Lenarz of Albany; three sisters, Mrs. Metzgar of Melrose, Mrs. Fred Finken of St. Cloud, Mrs. Pete Jonas of St. Martin, 25 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Third Generation

Nicholas Evens, Jr. was born October 15, 1860 in Superior, WI and died July 25, 1940 in St. Cloud, Stearns County, MN. He married Mary Janssen, daughter of Bernard Janssen and Maria Hellmann. Mary was born August 22, 1867 in Langerich, Hanover, Germany, and died June 4, 1948 in St. Cloud. Nicholas and Mary had the following children; Nicholas, Bernard, William, Henry, Margetta, Barbara, Joseph, Margaret, Mary Gertrude, Celvilia, Alex, and Monica.

While several accounts and his birth certificate indicate Nicholas Jr. was born in Superior, WI in 1860, there is no record of Nicholas Sr. living in Superior, WI. The 1880 U.S. Census also reports Nicholas Jr. birth place as Minnesota.

Obituary - Richmond Reporter - July 25, 1940, Obituary of Nick Evens

Nick Evans died this Thursday morning at 1:45 at his farm in farming at the age of over 79 years. The immediate cause of death was complications incident to old age. He was born at Superior, WI. October 15, 1860. he moved with his parents at an early age, to the farm now occupied by Herman Schleper. here he grew to manhood and about 58 years ago was married to Miss. Mary Janssen. The newlyweds started farming on the farm now occupied by Joseph Evens two miles northwest of Farming. Later they moved to a farm one half mile south of Farming. The wife together with 12 children born to the union survive. The children are; Mrs. Henry Schleper of Washington, Nick and Miss. Gertrude of St. Cloud, Ben of Waite Park, William of Mcgregor Minn, Mrs. Henry Spoden of Richmond, Mrs. Harold Brossard of Paynesville, Henry of St. Anna, John of Melrose, Jos and Mrs. Walter Blonigen of Farming. Eight children and forty grandchildren survive. He will be buried from St. Catherine Church at Farming at 9:00 o'clock Saturday morning. He was a member of the St. Joseph Society which will attend the funeral in a body.

Obituary - Richmond Reporter - August 10, 1940, Nick Evens laid to rest in Farming on last Saturday at 9.

Nick Evens was laid to rest last Saturday morning at 9 O'clock in St. Catherine cemetery at Farming, with Father Adalbert officiating. He was 79 years of age and lived in Farming all his life. He occupied a farm now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blonigen, a daughter, with whom he stayed at the time of death. The wife and twelve children survive. Pall Bearers were grand children of the deceased. Lee Evens of McGregor, Gene and Verner of St. Cloud, Leroy Evens of Waite Park, Alfred and Reinhard Evens of St. Anthony. He was a member of St. Joseph Society which attended the funeral in a body. The funeral was largely attended. Out of town people attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Val Lenarz and Mr. and Mrs. Nick Loehlien, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Evens, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kruper, Mr. and Mrs. Math Heinen, Veronica and Julia Evens and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lemke of Albany: Mr. and Mrs. John Arecaeau, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thelen, Nick and Anton Jones and Mrs. Nick Barbeln and family, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schaefer and Ben Mondloch of St. Martin; Mr. and Mrs. John Reesemann and family, of Collegeville. Mrs. Oscar Brossard of Paynesville and Nick Klemmer of Richmond.

Obituary - St. Cloud Daily Times June 5, 1948

Mrs. Nicholas Evens, 80, farming died at 1:45pm Friday. Although funeral arrangements have not been completed, the service will take place the early part of next week, at St. Catherine Church in Farming with burial in the Farming Cemetery. The body is at the Walter Blonigen residence in Farming. Mr. Evens died eight years ago Twelve children survive including Nicholas St. Cloud, Ben Waite Park, William Santa Monica Calif, Henry Melrose, Mrs. Henry Spoden Richmond, Marge Evens Tacoma Wash, Gertrude Evens Minneapolis, Mrs. Harold Brossard Paynesville, John Sauk Rapids, also Jos. and Mrs. Walter Blonigen Farming. Mrs. Evens was born in Germany and came to the United States at age 14. She has resided at Farming since that time. She was the last surviving member of her family. As was the custom at the time, Mary was laid out in the living room of the Blonigen farm. Also as was the custom at the time, someone always was with the body. Although only 4 years old at the time, the author of this history spent one entire night with his Uncle Walter watching over his Grandmother’s body. It is a vivid memory to this day!
 Fourth Generation
Bernard Evans was born August 22, 1888 in Farming, Stearns County, MN and died August 4, 1972 in St. Cloud, Stearns County, MN. He married Frances Anna Fladung on November 24, 1914 in St. Joseph, Stearns County, MN. The couple’s witnesses were Joseph Evans and Lucia Fladung. Frances was the daughter of John Fladung and Theresia Lambert. She was born January 24, 1898 in St. Joseph and died August 4, 1946 in St. Cloud. Their children were Viola, LeRoy, Donald James, and Donna Mae.

Obituary - St. Cloud Daily Times, St. Cloud, Minnesota Saturday August 5, 1972

Bernard Evans, 83, a retired granite company employee, 2303 Clearwater Road, died Friday at his home. He was born Aug. 22, 1888, in Farming, Minn., and lived in Waite Park all of his married life. He has lived here 16 years. He was employed by the Melrose Granite Co. 33 years and retired in 1953. His wife, the former Frances Fladung, died in 1946. Mr. Evans is survived by son and daughters, Mrs. Delbert (Viola) Gobman, Waite Park; LeRoy, St. Cloud; and Mrs. James (Donna) Walkley, Kimball, Minn; 10 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; brothers and sisters; Gertrude, Minneapolis, Alex and Mrs. Monica Brossard, Paynesville, Minn.; Mrs. Walter (Cecelia) Blonigan, Richmond, Minn.; Joseph, Upsala, Minn; and Willard, St. Cloud. He was preceded in death by three brothers, one sister and a son, Donald. Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Monday at Holy Spirit Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Waite Park. Pallbearers will be Donald and Elmer Evans, Larry Zahn, Jerry Gohman, Sylvester Fladung and Walter Martini.

Obituary - St. Cloud Daily Times St. Cloud, Minnesota August 1946

Mrs. Bernard Evans, Waite Park died at 1:05 a.m. Sunday at the age of 48 years. She was born in St. Joseph on January 28, 1898. Mr. Evans and the following children survive; Mrs. Delbert Gohman, LeRoy and Donna Mae Evans, Waite Park. Their is one grandchild. The following brothers and sisters also survive; Anthony Fladung, Black Duck, John Fladung, Waite Park, Mrs. Mary Blommer, St. Joseph, Mrs. John Gans, Everett, Wash., Mrs. Joseph Martini and Mrs. John Cremer, St. Cloud and Mrs. Joseph Tschida and Mrs. John Tschida, Sauk Centre. The body will be at the family home tonight and remain there until the time of the funeral at 9 a. m. Tuesday, from the Catholic church in Waite Park, Rev. August Preusser will officate. Burial will be in the Waite Park cemetery.

Obituary - St. Cloud Daily Times August l946 St. Cloud, Minnesota

Funeral services for Mrs. Bernard Evans, 48, who died Sunday morning were held at 9 a.m. this morning from the St. Joseph Catholic church in Waite Park. Rev. August Preusser officiated.

Burial was in the Waite Park cemetery. Pallbearers were Walter and Herbert Martini, Michael and Edward Fladung, Virgil Tschida and Fred Nathan.