Oliver Benton Evans and Jane M. Evans

By Douglas H. Shepard, 2012

                The 1860 Census for Buffalo records an Oliver B. Evans, 44, Photographer; Jane M., 31; and Grace, 6. There is a genealogy-books.net item that was for sale, Evans' Domestic Tanning Process. . . .  (Patented May 9, 1867 by O. B. Evans of Buffalo.) The work was printed in Chillicothe OH. The Mormon Family Search site records an Oliver Benton Evans being Christened at St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Buffalo on 5 September 1869. No age given. The 1870 Census for Buffalo has only Oliver B. Evans, 54; and Grace S., 17.

                I can find no record of Jane M. Evans until 1873. The Fredonia Censor of 13 August 1873 carries a long ad for "Photographs! Mrs. O. B. Evans." (The ad ran through 11 February 1874.) She has taken the rooms formerly occupied by George R. Martin "over Miner's Bank" (ca. 30 West Main Street in Fredonia). She states that she has produced Ivorytypes "18 years ago" which can be seen to prove their durability. Make an appointment "as Mrs. E's time for the next month will be divided between Westfield and Fredonia."

                Three testimonials follow, from H. H. Gifford of Jamestown dated 24 February 1872; from C. F. S. Thomas of the Commercial Advertiser, Buffalo, 19 February 1869; and from Dr. T. F. Hunt, Associate Editor, Commercial Advertiser, Buffalo, 10 March 1868. Gifford has "Ivory pictures" of himself and of Mrs. Gifford taken by Mrs. Evans at Buffalo "some sixteen years ago" (i.e. 1856). Thomas has one made in 1856, and Hunt one done in 1867.

                The 1875 Census for Fredonia has Jane M. Evans, 39, Photographer, born in Herkimer NY; and Grace E. Evans, 20, daughter, born in Erie, living with her in a brick home near 1 Park Place in Fredonia. A website called, "The Stories of Some Buffalo Photographers," says that O. B. Evans was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. J. H. Lants & Son's 1879 Jamestown Directory includes in its listing for Fredonia, Mrs. O. B. Evans, Photographer.

                The Fredonia Censor of 17 September 1879 noted the marriage of Grace Evans to Percy M. Ising (Eising?) at the Church of the Transfiguration ("The Little Church Around the Corner") in Manhattan. The marriage was performed by the Rev. Dr. Houghton on 6 September 1879. The 1880 Census for Buffalo includes Grace Eising, 26, and Grace Eising, 2 months, living with Otis Seymone and his family. There is no mention of Percy or of Mrs. Evans.