History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1887



Charles Evans Biography


Charles Evans, contractor and builder, Chambersburg, was born in Hamilton Township, Franklin County, Penn., October 29, 1813, son of Edward and Mary (Nitterhouse) Evans. Edward Evans was also a native of Hamilton Township and his ancestors were among the pioneers of the county. He reared to maturity a family of nine children, of whom but three (sons) survive. He died about nine years ago at the ripe age of ninety years.

Charles Evans improved such educational advantages as the schools of the district afforded, and acquired a fair English training. Until fifteen years of age he resided on a farm, when he commenced an apprenticeship of six years at the trade of carpenter and joiner with his uncle, Philip Nitterhouse, of Chambersburg, and in 1837 went into partnership with him. The firm of Nitterhouse & Evans built the court-house at Chambersburg, which was destroyed in 1864 by the rebels. The partnership continued until the death of Mr. Nitterhouse in about 1847, when the business was continued for a number of years by Mr. Evans, who then engaged in farming in Greene and Hamilton Townships, at which he was occupied until the spring of 1864, when he returned to Chambersburg, where he has since resided. He then at once resumed the business of contracting and building, and has planned and erected a number of the substantial structures in Chambersburg and surrounding country.

His son, C.E. Evans, has been a partner with him for the past five years, the firm being C. & C.E. Evans, carrying on ,an extensive business, employing from six to ten hands, and in connection with the business they conduct a planing-mill.

About 1838 Mr. Evans was married to Margaret, daughter of Michael Minnich, an early settler of Chambersburg, and to this union were born sixteen children, of whom seven are living -three daughters and four sons. The mother died in May, 1878, a life-long member of the German Reformed Church. Our subject is one of the old and highly esteemed residents of Chambersburg.


Source: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania : containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers, and biographical sketches of prominent citizens; Chicago. Genealogical Pub. Co. 1905. Notes: Prepared in part by George O. Seilhamer.















Evans Genealogy Resources



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