Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/28

 EVANS

EVANS

being built in that country and its invention claimed b.v Vivian and Trevitbick who had bad access to Evans's plans. He constructed a steam dredge mounted on wheels in 1803-04, and pro- pelled it over a common highway from his shop to the banks of the Schuylkill, one and a half miles, the first land-carriage projjelled by steam over ordinary roads in America. His faith in his idea of horseless carnages was stronger than ever, but poverty prevented his carrying out his plans. He published: The Young Engineer's Gvide (1805); Miller and Mill wiiijhts Guide (1797); The Improved Merchant Flouring Mill, by G. and 0. Erans (1853). His books were translated and published in France and passed through several editions. He died in New York city, April 35, 1819.

EVANS, Richard Joseph, military engineer, was born in Wasliington, D.C., July 14, 1837; son of Dr. John and Sarah Jane (Mills) Evans. His father was U.S. geologist, and his mother's father, Robert Mills, was U.S. government architect. His gi'eat^ grandfather, Richard Evans, emi- grated from Wales in tlie earh- part of the eight- eenth century and settled in New England. His great-grandfather, John Evans, married Susan March, became a planter in Grenada, W.I., and after 1774 a shipping merchant at Portsmouth, N.H.. losing fifteen ships, destroyed by British cruisers during the Revolution. His grandfather, Richard Evans, who married Ann Wendell Pen- hallow, was a justice of the superior court of New Hampshire in 1809. His maternal grand- father, Robert Mills (born Aug. 12, 1781, and married to Eliza Barnwell Smith), was the son of William MiUs of Charleston, S.C., born in Dun- dee, Scotland, March 2, 17.50, and a Revolution- ary patriot. His great-giandmother, Eliza Barn- well Smith, was the daughter of Gen. John Smith of Hackwood Park, Va., representative in the 7tli, 8th, 9tb, lOtb, Uth, 12th and 13th con- gresses, 1801-15, gi-anddaughter of John Smith of Shorters Hill, Va., and great-granddaughter of John Smith of Purdon, Gloucester coimty, Va., who in 1680 married Mary Warner, sister of Mildred Warner, wife of Lawrence Washington and grandmother of George Washington. Rich- ard J. Evans attended the Rittenhouse academy in his native city, studied architecture and build- ing under Robert MUls, and then served for several years as aid in the geodetic, tidal and topographic work of the coast survey. He re- moved to New Orleans during the military occu- pation of that cit}', and was appointed engineer and superintendent of the New Orleans, Carroll- ton & Lake Ponchartrain railway. He was later made chief engineer of the New Orleans, Ope- lousas & Great Western railway, which vi-as bought by Charles Morgan, the founder of the Morgan line of New York steamers. He entered

the employ of the Morgan company, and devised a simple and successful adaptation of stern-wheel steamboats for use in transferring loaded freight cars over the Mississippi. He next built and superintended the Gulf, Western Texas & Pa- cific railway to Cuero. In 1875 he removed to Washington, D.C., to accept a position in the bureau of steam engineering of the navy depart- ment, which lie filled for two years, when he re- signed to take charge of the engineering of the terminals of the New Orleans Pacific railway. He was subsequently engaged as constructor of the Memphis, Sebiia & Brunswick railway and as superintendent of the Brunswick & Western railway of Georgia. In 1885 he became chief en- gineer of the Sabine Valley road, and in 1888 was elected vice-president and general manager of the company. He removed to New Orleans in 1895, and engaged as engineer in the construc- tion of the drainage system of that city.

EVANS, Robley Dunglison, naval officer, was born in Floyd count}', Va., Aug. 18, 1846; son of S. A. J. and Sally Anne (Jackson) Evans; grandson of Samuel Evans, and of John Jackson, and a descendant of John Sommersall. He was graduated from the United States naval academy in May. 1863; pro- ^.e^^^^ss^-,

moted ensign. Oct. 1, :'^^^.- > "x

1863; ma.ster. May 10, 1866 ; lieutenant, July 25, 1806; lieutenant- commander, March 12,1868; commander, July 12, 1878, and cap- tain, June 27, 1893. In September, 1863, he began active service, on the frigate Pow- hatan, and was after- ward in the North Atlantic squadron, - ^^

taking part in the /^jy^/T^^^^ assault upon Fort

Fisher. In this engagement he was wounded and subsequently retired from active service. Ujion his recovery he was restored to the ac- tive list at his own request and sailed for China in 1866, in the Delaware, the flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Rowan. Upon his return to the United States he was given ordnance duty till 1870. He was then stationed at Annapolis for two 3'ears, and in 1872 was sent to the Medi- terranean as navigator of the Shenandoah. He returned in this vessel to Key West upon the threatened outbreak of war between the United States and Spain in 1874; was transferred to the Congress as executive officer, and returned to the Mediterranean, where he remained till ordered home to attend the inauguration of the Centen-

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