My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM EVANS, junior partner in the firm of B. Evans & Brother, who are engaged in business as coal dealers and dealers in builders’ supplies, Norristown, Pennsylvania, was born in Wisconisco township, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, March 11, 1867. He is the son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Thomas) Evans, already mentioned in the sketch of Benjamin Evans, immediately preceding this.

William Evans has lived since the age of ten years in Norristown, attending the public schools of the borough, and after completing the course in them, entering as a student at Schissler’s Business College. When he reached the age of eighteen years, he became an apprentice to the trade of a bricklayer, and after completing his apprenticeship at that occupation, worked as a journeyman for five years. After the death of his father he and his brother, Benjamin, entered into partnership as dealers in coal and in builders’ supplies.

The firm of Benjamin Evans & Brother has been in existence since 1895 the senior partner confining his attention more especially to the yard at George street and Stony Creek Railroad, and the junior partner to that opposite Main Street Station. In addition to achieving success in this line, Evans & Brother have been engaged in the business of builders for a number of years. They have erected many dwelling houses in that part of Norristown west of Stony creek, they own considerable property, and are generally recognized as being among the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of Norristown. On February 6, 1902, Mr. Evans married Miss Annie M. Keene, daughter of John and Mary (Mace) Keene. Mrs. Evans is a member of Haws Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Evans is a member of Norristown Lodge, No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons. He also belongs to the John F. Hartranft Conclave of Heptasophs. His residence is at 704 Stanbridge street, a substantial home which he owns. Politically he is a Republican, taking an active interest in everything relating to the management of local affairs.

Mrs. Evans’ father is a native of Elizabethville, Dauphin county, he having been born within a dozen miles of where he now resides. He was married at the age of seventeen years. Mrs. Keene is also a native of Dauphin county, she and her husband having been born on adjoining farms. Mr. and Mrs. Keene had five sons and one daughter. Mrs. Evans is a graduate of Shippensburg State Normal School. Previous to her marriage, she was engaged in the occupation of teaching. Her father has been employed with the Lykens Valley Coal Company ever since it came into existence, a period of forty-nine years Mr. Keene and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and have been from their tenderest years. Their son, H. Clay Keene, has been superintendent of the Sunday school at Wiconisco for twenty-four years. He was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature for two years. The family are all members of the Methodist church.

The Evans brothers are the type of men, endowed with energy and good business ability, who have been largely instrumental in building up Norristown, making it a centre of industrial and mechanical development, and contributing to that prosperity which it has enjoyed in recent years to a greater extent, perhaps, than any other city of its size in Pennsylvania. Mr. Evans has one daughter, Mary Catherine, born February 26, 1903.