Edgefield in Edgefield County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

John Gary Evans

October 15, 1863 - June 22, 1942

— Governor 1894-1897 —

John Gary Evans Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

1. John Gary Evans Marker

Inscription. The youngest Governor in South Carolina history, Evans served in the House and Senate before being elected Governor. He was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and is buried in Willowbrook Cemetery in Edgefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, Spanish-American.

Location. 33° 46.783′ N, 81° 55.183′ W. Marker is in Edgefield, South Carolina, in Edgefield County. Marker is on Augusta Road. Marker is due east of the Benjamin Ryan Tillman Marker on the Ten Governors Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edgefield SC 29824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Benjamin Ryan Tillman (within shouting distance of this marker); John Calhoun Sheppard (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Strom Thurmond (about 700 feet away); Milledge Luke Bonham (approx. ¼ mile away); Francis Wilkinson Pickens (approx. 0.3 miles away); James Henry Hammond (approx. 0.4 miles away); M60A3 Main Battle Tank (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pierce Mason Butler (approx. half a mile away); Oakley Park Museum (approx. 0.6 miles away); J. Strom Thurmond Birthplace (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edgefield.

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marker. This marker is the ninth along the Ten Governor's Trail, a converted railroad bed that has been paved. There are markers to each of the 10 governors placed every 0.9 of a mile.

Also see . . .
1. John Gary Evans. John Gary Evans (October 15, 1863 – June 27, 1942) was Democratic Governor of South Carolina from 1894 to 1897. (Submitted on October 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Marion County Biographies: John Gary Evans. (Submitted on October 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Additional commentary.
1. Key Events
• 1887 - Admitted to the bar, Evans practices law in Aiken County, where he developed a reputation for representing poor white farmers. This draws the attention of political powerhouse "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman.
• 1894 - His rapid rise in politics culminated in his election as South Carolina's 85th governor at the age of 31, making him the youngest governor in South Carolina history.
• Evans was a follower of Tillman and presided over the state's constitutional convention.
• 1941 – Governor Evans presented Oakley Park with 40 acres to the Town of Edgefield. The deed stipulated that "Oakley Park" was to be a memorial to Martin Witherspoon Gary and was to be taken care of by

Photographed By Brian Scott, October 10, 2008

2. John Gary Evans Marker

the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Gary was Evans' uncle; he raised Evans after his parents died.

— Submitted October 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.

John Gary Evans Governor1894-1897 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brian Scott

3. John Gary Evans Governor1894-1897

Member of South Carolina House of Representatives 1888 - 1892; member of South Carolina Senate 1892 - 1894; Governor of South Carolina 1894 - 1897; Member of South Carolina House of Represenatives 1922 - 1924.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,561 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.