MRS. GWEN EVANS, RACINE, WISCONSIN.
Mrs. Gwen Evans, aged 90, residing at 1248 Washington avenue, passed away this morning at 6.20, her demise being due to general debility. The time of the funeral will be announced later.Deceased was born in Bala, North Wales, January 26th 1816, and was the daughter of Edward and Jane Jones. She came to this country and city in 1841, and was one of seventeen children. She and her husband, Robert Pierce, came to Racine in 1841. To them was born one child, Griffith R. Pierce, now living at Salem, Iowa. Mr. Pierce died about one month after his arrival in America, leaving a wife and one child.
She was married to Thomas J. Evans, May 7th 1845. To this union were born seven children, viz : Margaret McPherson, Stockton California; Edward J. Evans, Dubuque, Indiana; John T. Evans, of La Crosse, Wisconsin; Esther Brosie, of La Crosse Wisconsin; David D. and Einnie Evans of Racine.
The family lived in Brownsville from 1863 to 1883. With the exception of twenty years the family has lived in Racine since 1841.
Mr. Thomas J. Evans passed on before in January 1903. Since that time Mrs. Evans has been very lonely and often mourned the loss of her husband.
Mrs. Evans' name appears on the records of the first Welsh church organized in the city in 1844. She was one of the charter members of the now Park Avenue Congregational church, and was in her time one of the most active workers.
There are twenty grandchildren surviving. She is the last of her family.
The funeral will be announced later.
Last January 27, Mrs Evans celebrated her ninetieth birthday, some fifty of her friends gathering to aid her observe the occasion. At that time her memory was still good and she remembered many incidents and dates.
During the afternoon of her birthday anniversary her pastor, Rev. D. Ellis Evans, conducted a service which was greatly enjoyed by all present, but by no one more so than by the aged mother. Mrs. Evans gave out the hymns she wanted sung, and in each case joiner in the singing, beating the time while singing. Rev. Julius Marks of the First Congregational church, made the opening prayer. Then, Mr. Thomas Lloyd Williams was called on for a few remarks. Deacon Richard Rowlands also made some remarks.
Rev. John Davies was also called upon to speak. The conversation between Mr. Davies and Mrs. Evans became intensely interesting as it develpoed the fact that Mr. Davies and his wife were raised in the same community in Wales as the aged mother. She pointed to a picture of a parish church on the wall, where Mr. Davies could see the tombstones of his grandparents in the old church yard. Mrs. Evans told some very interesting things about some unique characters who lived 75 years ago, and who were at the beginning of free church life in Wales.
Mrs. Evans' vivid recollection of these old characters and some of their quaint sayings, supplemented by Mr. Davies' knowledge of them through history, made the meeting profoundly interesting to all present.
After the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the company were invited to an adjoining room where a bountiful table was found laden with provisions for the inner man, prepared by the loving hands of the affectionate daughters, Miss Winnie Evans, Mrs. McPherson and Mrs. D. D. Evans assisted by other friends.