History of Johnson County, Arkansas: the First Hundred Years

Ella Malloy Langford

Page 190

W. T. Evans, a native of South Wales set sail for America in 1869, and after spending eight years in Ohio, moved to Clarksville. Mrs. Evans had died previously in South Wales and Mr. Evans' family consisted of two sons and four daughters. The two sons and one daughter were the members who came to Clarksville with him, D. J. Evans, an eminent musician, moved to Little Rock and taught in the schools there; Gwennie (Mrs. Ed Kraus), and Joseph, whose wife was Susie Griffiths of Ohio, was also a native of Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Evans' children are Mrs. Mary Harris, Mrs. Lizzie Cunningham, Mrs. Martha Moore, Mrs. Maude Marlar. Joseph Evans traveled every summer. He spent several months one year touring England, Wales, Scotland, France and the Isle of Man. Mr. Evans died at in 1918.

Notes: Ed Kraus is Edward Joseph Kraus son of George W. Kraus and Mary Ann House.

Page 194

On September 30, 1879, G. W. and Mary Ann Kraus from Pennsylvania, landed in Johnson County, Arkansas, to find a new home. Their family consisted of six boys and one daughter, Charley, Sam, Frank, Wilse, Ed, El, and Sarah. The Kraus boys were farmers, carpenters and constructors. Many buildings stand today as monuments of the ingenuity of these men, especially Ed and El, who made their homes in Clarksville. Mrs. Ed Kraus, nee Gwinnie Evans, was a woman who administered many acts of charity. Far and wide about town she visited the sick and needy--never empty handed. Their children are Allie and Gomer, who today, with their families live in Clarksville. El married Cora Flemming, an orphan girl who resided in the home of her uncle, C. White. Their children were seven big, husky boys, football and baseball players. They are all residing in Clarksville. Mr. Kraus died a year ago.

Notes: G. W. is George. Charley is Charles. Sam is Samuel. Wilse is probably Wesley, though census records indicate that Wesley was the son of George's brother Edward H. Kraus. Ed is Edward Joseph. El is Abraham E. Gwinnie Evans is Gwennie Evans daughter of William T. Evans and his first wife. Allie is William Albert. Gomer is Gomer Edward.