Evans - Martha Ensminger
MARTHA ENSMINGER EVANS
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Dec 22, 1910 p 1
Mrs. Martha J. Evans, mother of Mrs. John R. Bounnell of this city, passed at 5:40 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell corner of East Market and Morgan Streets, after an illness of six month's duration due to infirmities incident to old age. Mrs. Evans was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio where she was born Oct 19, 1833. She was the daughter of John and Mary ANn (McCowan) Ensminger, pioneer citizens there. She was married to Ira Evans of Lafayette, Ind about 57 years ago. Mrs. Evans' parents removed from Cincinnati to Lafayette when she was 3 y ears of age and her girlhood days were spent there. Her husband died 35 years ago. He was for many years deputy warden at the Michigan City penitentiary. FOr the past 26 years Mrs. Evans made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell in this city.
Two daughters survive, Mrs. Bonnell and Miss Amy L. Evans. Two children, Lucy and Ira Allen are deceased. Mrs. Evans was a member of the Universalist Church and was also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah many years ago.
Mrs. Evans was a highly esteemed and beloved woman, known for her charm of manner and kindliness of spirit. She was one of those good old-fashioned mothers, whose lives in their declining years serve as a bendiction as it were. During her quarter of a century of residence in Crawfordsville she made numerous friends among the residents of the city.
When a young girl in her teens Mrs. Evans attended for two years St. Mary's of the Woods near Terre Haute. She was one of the first girls to attend the school and entered immediately after its opening by the seven sisters who were its founders. Later, she attended the Methodist College that was established at Ft. Wayne 3 score and more years ago. She was graduated from this school which she attended for two or three years. It was the school that Mrs. Mary F. Sloan, now nearly 90 years of age, attended when she was a girl. Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Sloan always enjoyed reminiscent talks together of those days when colleges in Indiana were just in their infancy.
Funeral services for Mrs. Evans will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell at 9 o'clock Friday morning, conducted by Rev. NA Chamberlin, of Boswell, Ind as an old friend of the family. The body will be taken to Lafyaette on the 10:35 o'clock northbound Monon for interment in Greenbush Cemetery near her old home. - kbz