Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.III, p.135

You are here: Cambria > Books > History of Cambria County, V.3

History of Cambria County, V.3

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 135

worked in the old Pipetown Mills. Subsequently he worked in the mines in what is now the "South-side" of Pittsburg. From there he was variously employed along the Monongahela river, finally coming to Johnstown in July, 1854, where he worked for the Cambria Iron Company, in their coal mines, to within a few years of his death, 1882. He enjoyed very few educational advantages, but applied himself vigorously to secure an education for himself. He came to be well informed on the topics of the times, wrote an excellent hand, and was a frequent correrespondent for the Welsh newspapers, to which he was ever a regular subscriber, as well as an earnest reader. Like his father, he was a strict Baptist. He held the office of trustee of the Main Street Baptist Church of Johnstown as long as he lived, and was a practical, devout Christian; a man of strong convictions, but an exemplary life. Originally he voted the Whig ticket; later was identified with the Republican party, from which he never swerved. He refused to become an office holder.
    By his marriage, in Wales, to Ann Lovett, daughter of Israel and Ann Lovett, natives of Merthyr Tydville, and granddaughter of Israel Lovett, who was a miner and originally of Cornwall, there were born Josiah Tucker, see forward, and Israel, born in 1850, died unmarried in 1876. Both sons followed mining for an occupation. Ann (Lovett) Evans, the mother, died 1882.
    Josiah Tucker Evans, named for an ancestor who was an admiral in the British navy, was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1848, and accompanied his father to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, when but seven years of age. He attended the public schools until about ten years old and then, at that tender age, entered the works of the Cambria Iron Co, as trapper-boy in their coal mines. From this he was promoted to driving mules and from that to regular mining. This he followed until about thirty years of age, when he leased and operated a coal mine, near Moxham, and supplied coal to the local trade. Later he and Peter Philips operated a mine near the old Johnstown brewery, under contract to supply coal to the Gautier works, of the Cambria Iron Company, which they did for a time. Mr. Evans was then selected by Daniel J. Morrell, the president of the Cambria Iron Company, the Edgar Thompson Works, Bethlehem Steel Works and the Steelton Steel Works, to explore and investigate a tract of land in the heart of the Adirondack mountains, said to contain magnetic ore, and which was offered them for purchase. This occupied a few months, and when his mission was accomplished successfully, he returned to Johnstown and took the Woodvale colliery, on contract to furnish coal for the woolen mills, flour mills and brick yards of the Woodvale Manufacturing Company. He was engaged in this enterprise about three years, at the end of which time he passed successfully the examination for and was appointed to the office of state mine inspector.
    It should be noted that while Mr. Evans' opportunities for schooling were very limited, he embraced every occasion to attend the night schools, while working hard daytime, so by thus applying himself at all times, he acquired not only a good general education, but much special and technical knowledge, which has been invaluable to him throughout life. Three times did he pass successful examinations above named, before receiving his appointment. The first time, in 1877, he was under the requisite age (thirty); the second time he lacked political influence, which at that time was absolutely necessary, but the third time, in 1885, the civil service rules obtaining, and his average being the highest, he was appointed. His position, by reason of the law, demands a re-ex-

Title Page

Contents

Image

	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	135
worked in the old Pipetown Mills. Subsequently he worked in the mines in what is now the "South-side" of Pittsburg. From there he was variously employed along the Monongahela river, finally coming to Johnstown in July, 1854, where he worked for the Cambria Iron Company, in their coal mines, to within a few years of his death, 1882. He enjoyed very few educational advantages, but applied himself vigorously to secure an education for himself. He came to be well informed on the topics of the times, wrote an excellent hand, and was a frequent correrespondent for the Welsh newspapers, to which he was ever a regular subscriber, as well as an earnest reader. Like his father, he was a strict Baptist. He held the office of trustee of the Main Street Baptist Church of Johnstown as long as he lived, and was a practical, devout Christian; a man of strong convictions, but an exemplary life. Originally he voted the Whig ticket; later was identified with the Republican party, from which he never swerved. He refused to become an office holder. By his marriage, in Wales, to Ann Lovett, daughter of Israel and Ann Lovett, natives of Merthyr Tydville, and granddaughter of Israel Lovett, who was a miner and originally of Cornwall, there were born Josiah Tucker, see forward, and Israel, born in 1850, died unmarried in 1876. Both sons followed mining for an occupation. Ann (Lovett) Evans, the mother, died 1882. Josiah Tucker Evans, named for an ancestor who was an admiral in the British navy, was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1848, and accompanied his father to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, when but seven years of age. He attended the public schools until about ten years old and then, at that tender age, entered the works of the Cambria Iron Co, as trapper-boy in their coal mines. From this he was promoted to driving mules and from that to regular mining. This he followed until about thirty years of age, when he leased and operated a coal mine, near Moxham, and supplied coal to the local trade. Later he and Peter Philips operated a mine near the old Johnstown brewery, under contract to supply coal to the Gautier works, of the Cambria Iron Company, which they did for a time. Mr. Evans was then selected by Daniel J. Morrell, the president of the Cambria Iron Company, the Edgar Thompson Works, Bethlehem Steel Works and the Steelton Steel Works, to explore and investigate a tract of land in the heart of the Adirondack mountains, said to contain magnetic ore, and which was offered them for purchase. This occupied a few months, and when his mission was accomplished successfully, he returned to Johnstown and took the Woodvale colliery, on contract to furnish coal for the woolen mills, flour mills and brick yards of the Woodvale Manufacturing Company. He was engaged in this enterprise about three years, at the end of which time he passed successfully the examination for and was appointed to the office of state mine inspector. It should be noted that while Mr. Evans' opportunities for schooling were very limited, he embraced every occasion to attend the night schools, while working hard daytime, so by thus applying himself at all times, he acquired not only a good general education, but much special and technical knowledge, which has been invaluable to him throughout life. Three times did he pass successful examinations above named, before receiving his appointment. The first time, in 1877, he was under the requisite age (thirty); the second time he lacked political influence, which at that time was absolutely necessary, but the third time, in 1885, the civil service rules obtaining, and his average being the highest, he was appointed. His position, by reason of the law, demands a re-ex-