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Evans Livery
116 N First
Edward R Evans
George W Evans
Portion of livery on right. City
Hall in center. Image, WHS_PC_065
First, N, 116 1897c, Livery, George Evans,
WHS_005_262
First, N, 116 1900c, George Evans Livery, signage,
WHS_005_127
First, N, 116 1909, Most likely site of John Thauer's
livery, disposed of in 1909
In the days before rental cars
every town had a livery stable or two where one could rent a horse and buggy
for a business trip or a Sunday drive. The livery stables were frequent hangouts
for juveniles.
Derived from: The History of
Jefferson County, Wisconsin by C.
W. Butterfield, 1879
Edward
R. Evans, proprietor of livery stable; born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, Nov.
21, 1822; came to America in 1840; located in Utica, N.Y., one year; spent two
years in Lexington, Ky., and some time in St. Louis and other places before
coming to Watertown in the spring of 1846; engaged in blacksmith and
wagon-making business here until 1870, when he engaged in livery business. He was married in Delafield, Waukesha Co.,
Wis., Nov. 13, 1846, to Sarah Jones; she was born in Cardiganshire, South
Wales; they have six children – George W. (associated with his father), Sade
(now Mrs. Eugene Bradbury, of Watertown), Gomer E. (a resident of Chicago),
Eliza, John Quincy (telegraph operator for the C., M. & St. P. R. R. Co. at
this place) and David C. (who resides with his parents).
1881
IN MEMORIAM
Another of Watertown’s best
citizens has passed away. On Tuesday
evening,
Mr. Evans hitched up a team of
horses and took a traveling man to Waterloo on said day, and while returning in
the evening his horses were frightened and dashed along the road at Hubbleton
at a furious rate of speed, throwing Mr. Evans on the ground, injuring him
fatally internally.
He was found in a helpless
condition and taken to a neighboring house, where he was kindly cared for until
Sunday evening, when he was taken to this city on a hand-car.
Dr.
M. N. Barber was called to the assistance of the injured man and did all in
his power to comfort him, but all to no purpose. He suffered great pain from the time of the
accident until he lay cold in death.
The deceased was a native of
Wales and at the time of his death was in his 59th year. For 35 years Watertown has been his home, and
up to 10 years ago he was engaged in the blacksmith business, since which time
he has been carrying on a livery stable.
Mr. Evans was the father of eight
children, four boys and four girls, six of whom, together with his wife,
survive him. He was a man of sterling worth, always clear in his apprehension
of truth, and very decided in his convictions of duty, in business, politics,
and all the transactions of every day life; was prompt and energetic in action,
and in all his relations a courteous gentleman - honored and beloved by his
family, and respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
A good citizen, a true friend, a
loving husband and father, was taken from our midst by the death of Mr.
Evans.
Funeral this afternoon, at 2
o‘clock, from his late residence, in the 4th ward.
Burial was in Oak
Hill Cemetery.
Other family burials in Oak Hill
are:
Evans, David, b. 1861, d. 1884
Evans, George, b. 1848, d. 1908
Evans, Gomer E., no dates
Evans, Mother, b. 1827, d. 1882
Herman Schmidt
Watertown Gazette, 09 10 1909
Frank Scheiber and
family returned on Sunday from a week’s visit at La Crosse, Winona, Eau Claire
and Augusta. At the latter place they
visited at the home of Herman Schmidt and family, former residents of
Watertown. Mr. Schmidt formerly conducted the livery barn in North
First Street, the Evans old stand.
He has one of the finest farms and homes in Augusta, his home having all
modern improvements—electric light, bath, etc.
All his old friends here are pleased to hear of his prosperity.
