The Ancestors of My Grandchildren

William Evans lived at home until age 8, when he went to live with his uncle George H. Netherton. Four years later he went to live with his brother George. At age 16 he first taught school in Ora, IN. He continued teaching for a number of years, in addition to making railroad ties and doing other work for the railroad companies. In 1875 he attended Valparaiso Normal School, to better prepare him for teaching. In Sep 1879 he was elected county superintendent. He served three terms in that position. When his term of office expired in Jun 1885, he became an agent for a comapny dealing in school supplies. Since 1887 he has been occupied with market gardening and horticulture. At first he lived in town, but in 1891 he settled on 40 acres, formerly the property of William Key, where he has 12 acres with vegetables, and 5 acres covered with berry bushes and other small fruit. While he can readily dispose of the produce of his own farm, he also buys from other people, and ships to commission houses in neighboring cities, and imports fruits from California, etc. His energetic efforts are having well deserved success, and others are following his example.²