JOHN F. EVANS, farmer, section 20, Dayton Township, is a son of William and Ann (Biddle) Evans, natives of England, and was born in that country Sept. 8, 1815. He came to America in the fall of 1831, and lived i the city of New York one year, then went to Niagara County, where he lived until 1855. In the fall of that year he came with his family to Oceana Co., Mich., and purchased 160 acres of land. He afterward took up 40 acres adjoining, and had 100 acres under cultivation. He also owned 80 acres near by. He gave his three children 40 acres apiece, in Oceana County, and then sold the remainder of his land and came to Newaygo County in the spring of 1882, and traded for 40 acres of land where he now resides.
He was first married in Niagara Co., N.Y., to Margaret Tonks, a native of Erie Co., N.Y., and of English parentage. They had 13 children, five only surviving, having lost by death four at one time and three at another. The names of the living are: Ann M., Charles, Franklin, Margaret E. and Rosabelle; the deceased are Charlotte L., Sarah L., John F., Margaet E., William H., Mary, Joseph and Edwin. Mrs. Evans died in March, 1880, and in July , 1880, Mr. Evans married Amanda A. Dutton, widow of David R Dutton, who died in March, 1872, leaving five children: Frank P., Florence E., Florene M., Eugene W. and Emigene D. (twins). Leslie M. died when six years old.
Mr. E. has held the office of Supervisor in Oceana County, and has been Justice of the Peace, Highway Commissioner and held various other offices. In politics he is a Democrat.