Katie Forward Evans (1873 - 1954)

Born 4 Feb 1873 in Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Died 8 Mar 1954 at age 81 in Chester, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Katie Forward Evans was born 4 February 1873 in Pennsylvania, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Hinkson Evans and Mary M Gore. Her older siblings were:

1. Franklin Jacob Evans
2. Frederick H Evans
3. Mary Miriam Evans

Two additional siblings died before she was born: Joseph Hinkson Evans Jr (1865-1868) and Marian R Evans (1867-1867).

1880s

In 1880, Kate F Evans (6) lived in Chester with her father Joseph H (42), mother Mary M (39), older brothers Franklin J (17) and Fred H (12), older sister Mary M (9), and aunt Marg E (53). ^[1]

On 18 Jun 1891, her sister Mary M Evans (21) married Francis D Barker (23) in Delaware County. ^[2]

On 15 Jul 1892, her niece Helen DuBois Barker was born in Chester.

On 10 Jun 1894, her niece Mary Miriam Barker was born in Chester.

On 3 Jan 1897, her niece Katie Evans Barker was born in Chester.

1900s

On 5/6 Jun 1900, Katie Evans (27) lived at 218 W 4th Street in Chester (6th ward) with her father Joseph H (63), mother Mary (59), brother Frank (37), brother Fred (31), and three servants Ms Bridget Ward, Mr George Turner (26), and Mr Granville Wesley (32). Joseph and Mary had been born 38 years; Mary was the mother of 4 children all living. Frank, Fred, Katie, Mr Turner, and Mr Wesley were single; Ms Ward was widowed. Joseph worked as a plasterer; Frank and Fred were doctors. Ms Ward was born in Ireland and immigrated in 1876; she had been in the US for 24 years. ^[3] Her sister Mary Barker (30) lived in Chester. ^[4]

On 4 Oct 1901, her brother Frank Evans married Amy Alberta Gartside in Delaware County. ^[5]

On 8 Oct 1904, her mother Mary M Evans (63) died. She was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[6]

On 23 Feb 1908, her brother-in-law Frank D Barker (39) died. He was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[7]

On 29 Jul 1908, her brother Franklin J Evans MD (45y 7m 26d) died at home 420 W 2nd St in Chester (6th ward) from acute nephritis. He was white, worked as a physician, born 2 Dec 1862 in Chester, and the son of Joseph H and Mary Gore Evans. He was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery on August 1st. ^[8]

1910s

On 16 Apr 1910, Kate Evans (36) lived in Chester with her father Joseph (72), brother Frederick (41), sister Mary Barker (39), nieces Helen Barker (17), Miriam Barker (15), Katie Barker (13). Joseph and Mary were widowed; Frederick and Katie were single. Joseph lived off of his own income and Frederick worked as a physician. ^[9]

On 29 Sep 1914, her father Joseph H Evans (77) died. He was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[10]

SIXTH WARD CITIZEN DIES. Joseph H. Evans, Retired Business Man, Expires Unexpectedly at His Home. STROKE OF APOPLEXY. Long a Resident of This City and Active in Its Affairs. The cold band of death has again stretched out and beckoned one of the leading citizens of Chester, Joseph H. Evans, one of the old residents, a successful business man, an active church member, and a sincere citizen, passed away at his home, 316 West Fourth street, last evening after a very brief illness. He suffered a stroke of apoplexy on Saturday and gradually grew weaker until death relieved him. He was in his seventy-eighth year. The deceased is survived by three children: Dr. Fred H. Evans, Mrs. Frank D. Barker, and Miss Katie M. Evans. He was also the father of the late Dr Frank J. Evans. Shock to His Family. His sudden illness and ensuing death proved a great shock to his family and friends. For a man of his age, he enjoyed good health and was active in his business pursuits up until the day he was stricken. He ate a hearty supper on Saturday and was resting when he was taken ill. Dr. Fred Evans, his son, immediately took charge and exerted all his medical skill to relieve his father's suffering, but old age proved too great a handicap and the end was soon apparent. The funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, in charge of Rev. William H. Shaffer, pastor of the Madison Street M. E. church, of which the deceased was an active member. Interment will be private. Mr. Evans' life is a model for endeavor and self-promotion. He was born in 1826 in this city, the son of Jacob and Orpha Hinkson Evans. His father, of Welsh extraction, was a descendant of Lieutenant John Evans, who accompanied William Penn to this section and the Evans family is one of the oldest in this State. This family can claim the distinction of being the first now represented in this city to own land on which the city of Chester now stands. Mr. Evans as a boy attended the local schools, where he obtained a good education then followed the trade of a plasterer, in which he proved highly successful. He was of a saving nature and soon became a larger property owner. He acted for many years as president of the Franklin Building Association and was noted for his fair and businesslike dealings. He served at steward in the Madison Street M. E. church for thirty years, and was one of the most devoted members of this church. He embraced the Democratic political faith, as did his forefathers, and was unswerving in his activity for the interests of this party. In 1861 he married Mary M. Gore, the daughter of Jesse and Marian Gore, an old Virginia family. To this union were born eight children, three of whom survive.^[11]

1920s

In 1920, Katie F Evans (46) lived in Chester with her brother Frederick H Evans (51), sister Mary M Barker (48), nieces Helen D (27), Miriam M (25), Katie E (23). Frederick owned his home mortgage-free. Frederick, Katie, and the Barker daughters were single; Mary was widowed. Frederick worked as a medicine doctor. ^[12]

On 13 Mar 1920, her sister Mary Evans Barker (49) died. She was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[13]

BARKER--On March 13th, 1920, Mary M. Barker, widow of Frank D. Barker, aged 49 years. The relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Tuesday at 3 P.M., at the residence of her brother, Dr. Fred H. Evans, No. 216 W. Fourth St. Interment private.^[14]

In 1925, her niece Katie Barker married Lester M Keephart in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. ^[15]

About 1928, her grand-niece Mary E Keephart was born in Pennsylvania.

On 25 Sep 1928, her brother Dr. Frederick Evans (60) died at home 216-18 West Fourth street in Chester. He was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery in Chester. ^[16]

DR. FRED H. EVANS DIES AT HIS HOME; ILL SHORT TIME. Widely Known Physician Beloved for His Work Among Poor. Rigors of Practice Wore Him Out and Lung Trouble Developed. Dr. Frederick H. Evans, better known to thousands as "Dr. Fred," died at his home where he was born, 216-18 West Fourth street at 10:10 o'clock last night. The cause of death was acute tuberculosis of the lungs and pneumonia. He was 60 years old. The physician worked constantly until his physical self had been almost worn away, and while in this condition, continued his many calls to the poor. He contracted the tubercular germ from a patient. A month ago, Dr. Evans was removed to the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and two weeks ago was brought back to his home. At his bedside at the time of his death last night were Dr. E. A. Campbell, Dr. H. C. Donahoe, Dr. D. J. Monthan, Miss Katie Evans, sister of the physician, and Dr. Evans' three nieces, Miss Helen D. Barker, Miss Miriam Barker and Mrs. Katie K. Kephart, all of Chester. For twenty years, Dr. Evans was the firemen's physician of this city and also served on the Relief Association of the firemen. He succeeded his brother, Dr. Franklin J. Evans at this post when his brother died. Dr. Evans and his brother practiced together at the Fourth street address. They were both born there. In all his years of service to the firemen, Dr. Evans never charged any fee, it being his opinion that as they presented their services to the city, they should not have to pay for their treatment when hurt or ill. Besides his activity as their physician, he was active in their work. They were all devoted to him and each year honored him at their banquets and meetings. He was a member of the Franklin Fire Company, but his work was not centered about this one group. He worked day and night, continually, all the time he practiced, sometimes getting no more than a dozen hours sleep in a week. It is said that the only recreation he ever had was when he paraded each year with the firemen. They had presented him with a firemen's outfit for the purpose of participating with them. A short time ago, the members of the Franklin Fire Company had his picture taken so that they could keep it in their building. One of the pictures they then presented to his family. Never caring for the monetary end of his work, Dr. Evans worked constantly with the poor of the city. His rates were the lowest in the city, friends say. During his practice, Dr. Evans officiated at 12,000 maternity cases, his [Continued on Page Seven] sister said this morning, and most of them were of the poor and colored people. He was as kind as he was charitable. Members of his family said this morning that they had never seen him angry. His chauffeur and coachman, Winfield Robinson and David Wumsley, who worked for him for 25 years, said that he never gave them any orders and never was angry at anything they did. He was a true friend of theirs, they said. Besides his affiliations with the firemen, Dr. Evans was a Mason, having reached the Shriner degree. He was a member of the Alumni Association of the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, the Delaware County Medical Association, the Philadelphia Medical Association and the Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Evans was a son of Joseph and Mary M. (Gore) Evans, and was born on October 2, 1868. The Evans family was of Welsh extraction, and its first representative in America was Lieutenant John Evans, who came over with William Penn, serving in an official capacity under that famous proprietor. The Evans family can claim the distinction of being the first group still represented among its citizens, to own and occupy part of the land on which the city of Chester now stands. At a very early date, the Evans family settled here, and Jacob Evans, paternal grandfather of Dr. Evans, was born and reared here, owning and cultivating in his day a fine farm which has since been included in the city limits, and is now covered with buildings. He married Orpha Hinkson, and reared a family of four sons and four daughters. Joseph Evans, Dr. Evans' father, is also a native of this city, born in the house at 216-18 West Fourth street where his son last night died. During his more active year he was a large contractor and builder, in which business he was very successful, later retiring. Dr. Evans and his father were both members of the Madison Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1861, Dr. Evans' father married Mary M. Gore, a daughter of Jesse and Mariam Gore, and a native of Virginia. To them was born a family of eight children, seven sons and one daughter. Dr. Frederick H. Evans grew to manhood in Chester, receiving his education in the public schools here and being graduated from the Chester High school. After leaving high school, he attended the Medical school of the University of Pennsylvania from which he was duly graduated at the age of 21, being one of the youngest men in his class. He immediately began to practice medicine with his brother, Dr. Franklin J. Evans, who had been a doctor for about six years before "Dr. Fred." Dr. Evans never married. Dr. Evans was never active in politics, although his name was suggested for the mayorully here about twelve years ago. He refused to run for that or any other office. He was a member of the staff of the Chester Hospital for many years and at the time of his death was a member of the staff of the Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. He was a retired surgeon of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, having been their local surgeon for twenty-five years. With the advent of the automobile and the exodus of the horse and buggy, Dr. Evans faced a serious problem. He had two old horses that served him faithfully and he would not get rid of them. He compromised and until five weeks ago, still drove the horse and buggy on alternate nights. The funeral will be held on Friday afternoon from Dr. Evans' late residence. Interment will be made in the Chester Rural cemetery. It has not been decided yet whether to have a public or private funeral.^[17]

On 19 Jan 1929, her grand-nephew Frederick E Keephart was born in Pennsylvania.

1930s

1930, Katie F Evans (56) lived in Chester with her niece Helen D Barker (37), niece Miriam Barker (35), niece Katie E Keephert (33), nephew-in-law Lester Keephert (32), grand-niece Mary E Keephert (2), and grand-nephew Frederick E Keephert (1). ^[18]

About 1931, her grand-nephew Richard Keephart was born in Pennsylvania.

Apr 1935, she lived in Chester. ^[19]

1940s

1940, Katie Evans (66) lived in Chester with her niece Helen Barker (47), niece Miriam Barker (45), niece Katie Keephart (43), nephew-in-law Lester Keephart (42), grand-niece Mary Keephart (12), grand-nephew Fred Keephart (11), and grand-nephew Richard Keephart (9). ^[19]

On 16 August 1944, her grand-nephew Frederick Keephart (15) died. He was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[20]

FREDERICK EVANS KEEPHART. Frederick Evans Keephart, 15, son of Lester M. and Katie Barker Keephart, of 218 West Fourth street, died Tuesday morning of bronchial pneumonia at the family summer home, Betterton, Md. The boy would have been a second year student at Chester High School this fall. Besides his parents he is survived by a sister Mary, and a brother, Richard. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the residence of his parents, 218 West Fourth street. Friends may call Thursday evening from 7 to 9. Interment will be at Chester Rural Cemetery.

1950s

On 3 Apr 1950, Katie Evans (76) lived at 216 & 218 W 4th St in Chester with her niece Helen D Barker (57), niece Marion Barker (55), niece Katie Keephart (53), nephew-in-law Lester M Keephart (52), great-nephew Richard Keephart (18), great-niece Mary K Thomson (22), and great-nephew-in-law Kenneth Thomson (22). They did not live on a farm and their property was less than three acres. They were white. Katie Evans, Helen, and Marion were never married, born in Pennsylvania, and homemakers. Helen lived in the same house a year ago, not on a farm; her parents were born in the US; she was a high school graduate; she had no salary in 1949 but received non-wage income of $750; her household relatives earned $5000 in wages and $100 in non-wage income; she was not a veteran. Katie Keephart was born in Pennsylvania and a homemaker. Lester was born in New Jersey and worked 40 hours the previous week as a chief electrician for a public utility company. Kenneth and Mary were born in Pennsylvania, unemployed, and not looking for work. Mary lived in the same house a year ago, not on a farm; her parents were born in the US; her highest grade of education was five years of college but she did not finish the last year; she worked 8 weeks in 1949 and earned $74; her household relatives earned $5950 in 1949; she was not a veteran. Richard was never married, born in Pennsylvania, unemployed, and not looking for work. ^[21]

On 8 March 1954, Katie Evans (80) died in Chester. She was buried at Chester Rural Cemetery. ^[22]

Obituary ^[23]

EVANS -- On March 8, 1954, Katie F., daughter of the late Joseph H. and Mary Gore Evans.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock at her late residence 218 W. 4th st. Interment Chester Rural Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday evening 7-9.

Katie F. Evans

From Old Chester Family

Katie Forward Evans, 80, a native of Chester, died yesterday in the house were she was born and lived all of her life, 218 W. 4th st.

Daughter of the late Joseph Hinkson Evans and Mary Gore Evans, she had been ill about two weeks. She was the sister of the late Dr. Frank and Dr. Fred Evans.

Surviving are three nieces, Helen and Miriam Barker and Mrs. Katie B. Keephart, all at the same address.

Services will be held at the home Thursday at 1 pm.m, with Rev. Herbert McKain, pastor of Madison Street Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Chester Rural Cemetery. Friends may call at the late residence tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWFW-MPS : 15 July 2017), Kate F Evans in household of Jos H Evans, Chester, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district ED 18, sheet 347A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,126.
2. ↑ sister "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF4Z-9WQ : 21 September 2017), Frank Du Borg. Barker and Mary Miriam Evans, 18 Jun 1891; citing Marriage, , Delaware, Delaware, United States, various county courts and registers, Pennslyvannia; FHL microfilm 930,556.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3SZ-Q6L : accessed 12 February 2020), Katie Evans in household of Jos H Evans, Chester city Ward 6, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 151, sheet 8B, family 157, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,404.
4. ↑ sister "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3SC-LMP : accessed 23 August 2019), Mary Barker in household of Frank Barker, Chester city Ward 6, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 151, sheet 6B, family 114, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,404.
5. ↑ brother Franklin J Evans: "Pennsylvania, County Marriages, 1885-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF9C-X4H : 4 November 2017), Franklin J. Evans and Amy A. Gartside, 04 Oct 1901; citing Marriage, , Delaware, Delaware, United States, various county courts and registers, Pennslyvannia; FHL microfilm 930,560.
6. ↑ mother Mary M Evans Find A Grave: Memorial #77789400
7. ↑ brother-in-law Frank D Barker Find A Grave: Memorial #77789064
8. ↑ brother Franklin J Evans Find A Grave: Memorial #140613534
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGDZ-FRG : accessed 12 February 2020), Kate Evans in household of Joseph Evans, Chester Ward 6, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 109, sheet 3B, family 56, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1339; FHL microfilm 1,375,352.
10. ↑ father Joseph H Evans Find A Grave: Memorial #77789346
11. ↑ Publication: Chester Times Location: Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Of America Issue Date: Monday, September 28, 1914 Page: 1 url: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-sep-28-1914-p-1/
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFRG-L44 : accessed 12 February 2020), Katie F Evans in household of Frederick H Evans, Chester Ward 6, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing ED 130, sheet 8A, line 21, family 158, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1561; FHL microfilm 1,821,561.
13. ↑ sister Mary Evans Barker Find A Grave: Memorial #77789133
14. ↑ Publication: Chester Times Location: Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Of America Issue Date: March 15, 1920 Page: 7 url: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-mar-15-1920-p-7/
15. ↑ niece Katie Barker: "Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Marriage Indexes, 1885-1951," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVH4-6YJ : 21 September 2017), Keephart and Katie E Barker, 1925; citing license number 521124, Clerk of the Orphan's Court. City Hall.
16. ↑ brother Dr. Frederick Evans Find A Grave: Memorial #77789460
17. ↑ Publication: Chester Times Location: Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Of America Issue Date: September 26, 1928 Page: 1 url: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-sep-26-1928-p-1/
18. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHSH-GSB : accessed 12 February 2020), Katie F Evans, Chester, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 23, sheet 8B, line 57, family 180, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2029; FHL microfilm 2,341,763.
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQ85-LHZ : 28 July 2019), Katie Evans, Ward 6, Chester, Chester City, Delaware, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 23-27, sheet 18A, line 13, family 342, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3488.
20. ↑ grand-nephew Frederick Keephart Find A Grave: Memorial #67708860
21. ↑ 1950 Census ED: 71-46 State: Pennsylvania County: Delaware Incorporated Place or Township: Chester Date: April 3, 1950 Sheet Number: 7 Lines: 16-23 url: https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Chester%2C%20Delaware&ed=71-46&page=1&size=100&state=PA
22. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #77789493
23. ↑ url: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-mar-09-1954-p-29/ Publication: Chester Times Location: Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Of America Issue Date: March 9, 1954 Page: 20

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