|
a.
|
Note: N1 M. Albert Evans died in the Somerset hospital at about 8:30 Pm Monday, April 26, 1993. He had a funeral service in the Somerset Catholic Church, then was buried in the old Ebensburg Catholic cemetary on April 29, 1993 between his wives Eleanor and Hester.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from Gordon Bowie dated September Second "93;
Dear Mrs. Evans - I certainly was shocked when I read the enclosed "Alumni Notes" account of Abbies death this past April. You may (or may not) remember that my last visit to your home was several years ago on a short "stop-by hulls" visit.
Reminessing a bit - I roomed across the hall from Abbie at Mercersburg - took that memorable canoe trip trip with him and Howdy Merrill, etc. To me he was the epitome of what a real guy should be - a friend., a gentleman and a real fine person in every way. I always admired Abbie and I want you to know that I was one of his admirers and one who will always feel honered to have been a friend of his. Sincerely Gorden Bowie. (Mr. Gorden L. Bowie , 706 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland, 21502-2713
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daly American, Somerset, Pa., Wednesday, April 28, 1993
Death notices:
M. Albert Evans, 89, of Somerset, Died April26, 1993, in the Somerset Hospital. Born June 3, 1903 in Ebensburg, son of The late John Edgar and Francis Sarah (Shoemaker) Evans. Proceeded in death by his first wife, the former Eleanor Estelle Fowler; second wife, the former Hester Ann Shaw; by four brothers; John E. Jr., Norman, Truxton and Richard Evans, and two sisters; Mersha Bender and Enid Leach. Survived by his third wife, Helen (Siebert) Evans and sons; James M. Evans, Chicago, Il., Bruce D. Evans, Pittsburgh, Pa, Dr. Peter A. Evans, and Dr. Geoffrey F. Evans, both of Brunswick, Maine. Also 24 grand children and 11 great grand children. A brother of Mrs Patrick H. (Doris) McGuire of Bethesda, Md.
A 1922 graduate of Mercersburg, Pa. and a 1926 graduate of Lehigh University. A Retired mining Engineer, He was a mining engineer from 1927 to 1952 (correctLeft Eastern in 1950) Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates. From 1950 to 1961
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETIRED MINING ENGINEER DIES
M. Albert evans of Smerset, a retired mining engineer, died Mondaay at Somerset Hospital at the age of 89.
Mr. Evans, a native of Ebensburg, was a 1922 graduate of Mercersburg Academy and a 1926 graduate of Lehigh University. He was a mining engineer for Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates from 1927 to 1950. From then until 1960 he owned and operated Heilwood Coal Company in Indiana County and was a partner in Cliff Coal Company of West Virginia. Later he was an engineering consultant for coal mining throughout the country.
Mr. Evans was known for the article he wrote for Encyclopedia Britannica. He was a Paul Harris Award Fellow of somerset Rotary Club.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Daily American, Somerset, Friday, May 7, 1993
A GIANT AMONG MEN
Dear Editor:
M.A.E., That humble acknowledgement at the end of a scholarly disseratation on "Coal Mining" in the 1978 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica" is a true reflection of the man whom many knew as "Abby".
It was a challanging assignment to assemble facts and illustrations about Coal-mining throughout the world.
, shifting through translations of reams of material he had received from mining authorities in distant parts of the globe.
So scholarly was his work that requests came from Germany, korea, and South Africa as men sought the expertiseof M. Albert Evans in advising them about the design of coal mines. Those years when he was in his "seventies" he often referred to as the most productive years of my life.
He came to Somerset to make his home at an age when most men eagerly choose retirement. Because of his regimen of long daly walks, he soon became known to the townspeople. Most of them, however, were not aware of the demanding work schedule that Abby Evans imposed upon himself. The relaxed, friendly man who greeted them on the street gave no indication of the self discipline which was the keystone of the arch of his character.
His dedication to the Roman Catholic Church and to the principles of the famous four-way test of the Rotary were strong fibers in the fabric of the man. He was endowed with a brilliiant mind, but it was his impeccable manners, his friendliness, his hunility and his care and concern for his fellowmen that set him apart from other people.
More than 20 years ago he walked into our print shop on West Main Street, and stepped to the rear of the office where our seven-year old son, encassed in a body cast was recuperating from hip surgery. That was the beginning of a relationship which could be terminated only by death.
The unwavering encouragement and support of the elderly gentleman for a little boy gave the child a role model who had few peers. Together they shared their dreams and the more than 55 years which separated them chronologically, melted away in those precious hours they spent together.
On Easter Sunday 1993, although his body was weakened by a heart attack, he stood and watched children in their search for baskets. At the conclusion, a young father, happy to have his 16-month-old son enjoy his first Easter Egg hunt on the Evans lawn, turned to his host and said, "Thank you for this privilege." In typecal Manner, Abby Evans replied, "I am the one who should thank you."
As he walked among us with humility, he towered above us, for M. Albert Evans was a giant among men.
Mergaret Reiley Stumpf, Somerset.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily American, Somerset, Pa., Friday, May 7, 1993
YOUNG PERSON ENJOYED HIS OLDER FRIEND
Dear Editor:
I was a young boy, still in my single digits. It was a difficult time, for I had just been pulled out of Maple Ridge Elementary School. It had been my second attempt to pass first grade
Certainly, I was too young to understand the full impact of my learning disability -- and the fact that I was now going to be sent to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital to correct a congenital hip deformation.
There were countless people who helped me to get where I am today, but Mr. Evans was unique. I rember him , with his encouraging smile, as he looked at me in my full cast. It was such a welcome change, for I was beginning to grow accostomed to the pitying expressions on the faces of most people.
As children we are all blessed with a level of trust and a natural ability to relate, that seems to evade us as we grow into adulthood. One of the first lessons children learn is that adults seem to be so different, that surely we somehow can't be quite the same species. At this point I still can't believe tha Mr. Evans was nearly 60 years my senior.
His listening ability was above reproach and his responses were legendary. I can remember going through high school and being stereotyped with drug and alcohol abusing losers by teachers because I struggled so much in academic classes. I was alienated by most of my peers because of my conservative "gentlemanly" image.
Imagine that delemma! Certainly there were those who would have felt suicidal. I thank God that I knew I could rely on my friend's morale building experience. As his godson, I literally learned to laugh my problems away.
On one occasion I was selling paper Easter lilies uptown, tohelp raise money for Easter Seals. The typical responsedespite my dearest reques for a contribution was "No thank you" or "I already bought one". Then I saw Albert Evans walking toward me, with a "bouquet" of lillies. I was somewhat puzzled and wondered if he was selling the flowers, for certainly he had more than I had. (Then I realized he was patronizing every one of the Easter Seal salesmen.) He helped himself to a blossom from my display and addedit to his handful. then he paid me -- not only with money from his wallet, but also with a radiant, enthusiastic smile and the words,"I am happy to contribute," so characteristic of him.
Albert Evans lived his life as if each day was a work of art, and the people he touched were the canvases. I was once told by a gentleman who, after learning that my grandfather, Henry Baker Reiley Sr. had died just months before I was born. "Well, you certainly have been deprived of having met the finest gentleman who has ever walked the face of this earth."
I Think my grandfather would have been best of friends with my godfather.
Michael A. Stunpf, somerset.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roof Gardon Tabloids
Rotary Club of Somerset, May 7, 1993
ALBERT EVANS, 1903 - 1993
The club paid tribute to the late Albert Evans at our last meeting. He passed away April 26, 1993 at 89 years. Evans was a long-time member of our club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Hans Stumpf led the tribute along with Jim Bochy. Several other members of the club added their memories to the tribute.
Sixteen members of the Evans family attended the meeting. Albert became a mining engineer after graduating from Lehigh University in 1926. Following World War II he was asked by the U.S. Government to travel to Europe to evaluate the mining situation there. He was renowned for the fact he was asked to write the explaination of mining engineering for the Encyclopedia Britannica. His report remains in today's editions.
______________________________________________________________
Elmhurst was the home that Dad loved. He bought it in 1940 and moved into the large house in 1941just before WW2. Mother liked ELMHURST {the Farm} because it was an ideal place to raise boys from her viewpoint. It was also private and away from people. It is my opinion that she liked this. Elmhurst was finally sold in 1970, much to the regret of all of us. The price was $100,000 and with this and some money borrowed from Hester he built the house in Somerset, which was in some ways a duplicat of the Elmhurst house. The farm was sold a number of times including to family who tried to make a resturante of it, and said that the ghost of Evilin Nesbit walked in the house every Halloween.
About 1989 the house was bought by a family who made a business of restoring old homes. The following sales brochure is instructive.
ELMHURST
A turn-of-the-century Mansion, abounding in history, with all of the elegance and grandeur one would expect of that era. Beautifully situated in the central Pennsylvania mountains, midway between Johnstown and Altoona. ELMHURST is a country estate given complete seclusion within 129 gently rolling acres of farm and forest land. {Interesting, because Dad sold 270 acres.} From a 2,000 ft. elevation in the midst of this magnificent mountain area, the house has breath-taking views, from the wide porches, of at least seven miles overlooking quaint farms, {I wonder how the neighbor farmers would like to see themselves called quaint.} a former Franciscan Monastery and a portion of the Alleghaney Mountains. Approximately one-half of the acreage is tillable. The residence grounds, which are simply landscaped for easy maintenence, have huge evergreens and other native trees. There is a picturesque playhouse with a fireplace in the park-like setting. Approximately 30 acres is currently mowed. {not all lawn. It used to take us 8 hours to mow the lawn.}
The residence built in the style of an English Country House, has an imposing exterior of brick, timber and masonry. Five medieval chimneys {?} tower above its roofline {roof was 1/2 acre.} presenting a regal first impression, which is followed through with a delightful tour of the 20+ room {22} interior elements. Your imagination will be aroused as you meander through three floors of splendid workmanship. Built to endure another century, wit eight uniquely different fireplaces(with carved mantles) and a generous use of exquisite woods, you will find the home awsome. {As I remember it the window sills were Italion chestnut and so were the living room ceiling beams. They were stained black. We never could get that stain out to see the beautiful wood underneath.}
The Formal Dining Room and the Grand Living Room have hardwood floors and original wallpaper applied above wood panel wainscoting and around polished tile and marble fireplace. {When we owned it it still had th original wall paper. We never changed anything in this room. It was beautiful, especially with the chandalier Mother put in there. In the living room Mother had bookshelves built around the fireplace and put up new wallpaper. We also painted the chestnut beams in the ceiling, because the black color made the room so dark.} The Music room and bookshelf lined Library/Den also has elegan tast. {Mother & Dad designed this. We spent most of our time in here.} the library contains a quaint half-bath. From the Entrance Hall, a wide winding stair case {designed by Dad & Mother. Th original one was straight down and looked funky at best.} leads to the second floor which has nine large bedrooms, four of them with fireplaces, a Laundry room and four baths. The third floor is comprised of six rooms (five of which are presently used for storage) and one full-bath. The sixth room is a 15' x 40' dormitory, currently used as a Recreation-Billiard Room. There is a storage attic above the third level. The second and third floors are also accessible by a private internal rear staircase.
A large Commercial Septic System 93-tanks), 220' deep well with 1/2 HP pump (new-July 1991) and a commercial water softner are being utilized.
The ELMHURST MANSION ("cottage"), which was built 1897 to 1902, for Mrs. William K. Thaw of Pittsburgh, has undergone extensive restoration from July 1989 to present and is near completion. Restoration Includes:
1 Installation of intercom on four levels.
2 Updating kitchen to gourmet standards {We had a coal stove.} with seventy drawers and doors and special attention to retention of original butlers pantry.
3 The full basement now now contains a new circulating hot water heating system with 12 fully automatic zones. Two oil-fired furnaces, with 4 new storage tanks supply these zones. The first unit serves domestic hot water and heat. The second unit assists for heat only if necessary. Basement also has private entrance for maintenance person and full bath with tiled shower. {We had a coal furnace with stocker and also hot water heat. Would use 50 tons of coal in winter. The full tiled bath is new, but the other things were there.}
4 New wiring, all rooms. {Needed after 90 years}
5 Restoration of six bathrooms and laundry/bath with attention to original characteristics, plumbing and wiring. Two and one-half baths tiled. {I believe we put in at least one, if not two of those bathrooms.}
6 New dampers and glas enclosures on all eight fireplaces.
7 Sixty new aluminumstorm windows installed. Insulation as required. Basement heated to add effeciency. {Can't remember if the basement was heated when we were there, but it was never cold in the basement.}
8 Repointed entire exterior.
9 Repainted entire exterior.
10 Erected 30' x 40' insulated building with electric and floor drains. Conveniently located to rear of residence in compound area, with basketball cxourt. Presently being used to house automobiles and all equipment necessary to maintain properity, but capable of many other uses. {this was the location of the Thaw ice house, where they stored ice cut from the lakes in sawdust. All I remember of it was a sawdust pit.}
11 All work performed by qualified profesionals with quality materials.
There are a number of lakes for swimming, fishing and boating and two country clubs nearby. Prince Gallitzin Park is about 20 miles. Blu Knob State Park and ski slopes are 15 miles to the south. Beaustiful horse country!! Two colleges nearby.
ELMHURST is being used a a private residence. In addition to continued use as an elegant Country Mansion or Private Retreat, ELMHURST has many other possible uses. Excellent for Bed & Breakfast or possible filming location. Despite its seclusion, the properity is easily accessable, being a little over 1/2 mile from old Route 22, 2 1/2 miles from new Route 22 (which is one of Pennsylvania's main East-West highways) and 60 miles south of Interstate Route 80.
Additional land may be available. {It looks like they do not own the cottage or the Barn.}
Asking Price is $1,000,000
NOTE: { } indicates my remarks. Jim
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
