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EVANS Vol. 3, p. 1042 Of the United States the self-made man is a typical product, and though the title has become trite and often is abused, yet its significance is none the less, and Americans still delight to do honor to the man who has risen through his own energy, ambition and ability, who has met undaunted the obstacles that have obtruded in his path and who has made of success not an accident but a logical result. Such an individuality is that of Mr. Evens, who in his younger days imbibed deeply of the invigorating atmosphere pertaining to the free and open life on the great cattle ranges of the Lone Star State, who lived there the untrammeled and vigorous life of the cowboy, but who preserved through all these experiences his ambition for greater and higher things and who had the intrinsic capacity that made achievement possible. The pertinence of the last statement is emphasized when it is known that he is at the present time serving as municipal commissioner of public works and property in the vital and progressive little City of Ada, the judicial center and metropolis of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. For eleven years after he abandoned his service in connection with the extensive cattle interests of the Texas range, where he worked under the jurisdiction of such representative cattle kings as the Burnetts and Wagoners, he was engaged in business at Henrietta, Clay County, Texas. He found this transference to urban associations both pleasing and inspiring, and incidentally he made such a careful study of municipal affairs that after he had established his home at Ada, Oklahoma, he was permitted to make practical application of his theories and policies, and that to the distinct and enduring benefit of the little city and its people. For five years he served with marked efficiency as a member of the city council of Ada, and it was within this interval that most of the important public improvements of the city were instituted. Later, under the commission system of municipal government, he served as a member of the municipal board of commissioners and had the satisfaction of aiding in the completing of some of the public utility improvements which had previously been initiated, chief of these being the installation of the fine waterworks system, which various authorities have pronounced to be unexcelled in the entire state. The source of the water supply is Byrd's Mill, fourteen miles south of the city. This mill furnished the power for the operation of the modern pumping plant that sends the purest of spring water to the city. The spring has a capacity of 10,000 gallons a day, far in excess of what is needed to supply the city of Ada, and the water is as pure, wholesome and sparkling as can be found within the borders of this prosperous young commonwealth. As city commissioner of public works and property large responsibilities rest upon Mr. Evans, and his administration has been unequivocally successful and satisfactory, marked by discrimination, judgment, progressiveness and utmost civic loyalty. Under his regime the sewer system has been materially extended and the streets greatly improved, besides which natural gas has been piped into the city from a splendid well a few miles distant to the west. Mr. Evans was born in the City of Hannibal, Missouri, historically notable as having been the home of the great American humorist, Mark Twain, in his youth, and the year of nativity was 1869. He is a son of Sam C. and Susan (CLARK) Evans, his father likewise being a native of Missouri and being now a prosperous farmer near Hannibal, that state, besides which he is a skilled workman at the carpenter's trade, to which he has devoted more or less attention for many years. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was born in Kentucky and as a young man became a pioneer settler in Missouri, where he passed the remainder of life. The father of Mr. Evans is still living, and he has two brothers and two sisters: Sam C. is a resident of Texline, Texas; Mrs. Effie MYERS resides in the State of Kansas; Miss Mattie Evans maintains her home in the City of St. Louis; and Charles is a resident of the City of Portland, Oregon. Mr. Evens acquired his early education in the public schools of Missouri and when still a youth he there instituted his independent career as a farmer. In 1891 he went to Western Texas and there, as previously stated, he was employed several years as a cowboy on large cattle ranches. After establishing himself in business at Henrietta, that state, he there continued his residence until 1904, when he came to Oklahoma Territory and established his residence at Ada. Here he engaged in the saddle and harness business, with which he continued to be actively and successfully identified until he was elected to his present municipal office, when he disposed of his business to devote himself fully to the public service. He was elected commissioner of public works and property in 1912, at the time of the adoption of the commission form of government, and the estimate placed upon his services was shown by his re-election in 1914 for a second term of two years. Mr. Evans is one of the alert and progressive citizens of Ada, is an influential member of the Ada Commercial Club, is a staunch democrat in his political proclivities, and is affiliated with the local organizations of the independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Loyal Order of Moose. In the State of Missouri the year 1901 recorded the marriage of Mr. Evans to Miss Saloma ROHR, and they have four children, whose names and respective ages, in 1915, are here indicated: Donovan, 12 years; Maurine, 10 years; Harry, 7 years; and Katherine, 2 years. Typed for OKGenWeb by Janie Edwards, August 1999.