For some years after his marriage Henry Evernham, Sr., followed farming in Mercer county, New Jersey, and then spent seven years in the city of Trenton, where he at first worked by the day and later engaged in teaming for five years. For a quarter of a century he has now made his home in Mills county, Iowa, and has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His home farm consists of five hundred acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and his landed possessions now aggregate eight hundred acres. Enterprising, energetic and industrious, his success has been worthily achieved, and he is now one of the most substantial men of his community. Originally he was an old line Whig in politics, but since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party and has served as judge of elections and as a member of the school board. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist church, and is highly respected by all who know him. Of his five children four are still living, namely: Amos B., who is married and has five children; Furman, who is married and has two children; Henry Jr., our subject; and Ellison, who is married and has three children.. After completing his education Henry Evernham, Jr., assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself as an agriculturist. He bought ten horses, three cows and two pigs, and followed general farming until 1875, when he purchased the established business and dairy route of a man in Trenton, New Jersey, paying for the same two hundred and fifty dollars. He kept sixteen milk cows and did quite a successful business for a time, but finally sold out and resumed farming. On the 16th of September, 1876, Mr. Evernham was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Taylor, who was born near Trenton, New Jersey, and was educated by a private teacher and in the schools of Bordentown, that state. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school for a time. Her father, Tilton C. Taylor, was also born near Trenton, a son of Israel and Patience Taylor, and came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1880, locating on a farm, where he died at the age of sicty-six years. By occupation he was a farmer and veterinary surgeon. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Vanderbeck, was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, and is still living on the old home farm in this county. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evernham have two children: Florence G., born in Trenton, New Jersey; and Euphemia, born in Glenwood, Iowa. In 1882, with his wife and daughter, Mr. Evernham removed to Mills county, Iowa, where three years before he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Here he followed farming until 1884, when he traded his farm for the hotel property which he now owns, taking possession of the same on the 17th of July. In 1893 he built an annex, and about 1887 bought another hotel. Genial and pleasant in manner he has proved a popular host, and his hotel has become a favorite resort with the traveling public. The hotel, which is of brick, has sixty-two rooms, is located on the public square and is a well-appointed establishment in every particular. In business affairs Mr. Evernham has steadily prospered and besides his city property he now owns three farms, which he rents. He has one hundred and sixty acres at Pacific Junction, while altogether they aggregate four hundred and twenty-two acres. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Since casting his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, Mr. Evernham has been identified with the Republican party. Before attaining his majority he took an active part in the Grant campaign of 1868, and has labored untiringly for the interests of his party, though he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. For six years he represented the third ward in the city council, and has always given his influence and support to all measures for the public good. He and his family hold membership in the Baptist church, and his wife is especially active in all church work.
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