Pennell Coombe Evans (1848-1919)

Portrait from www.legis.state.pa.us

  A prominent son of Easton, Pennsylvania, Pennell Coombe Evans represented that city for two terms in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and later served as its postmaster for four years. In addition to those posts, Evans was a three-time delegate to the Democratic National Convention and would also be an aspirant for Northampton County Judge and an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in the 1914 Democratic primary. Born in Easton on May 31, 1848, Pennell Coombe Evans was the son of John and Mary Isabella (Horn) Evans. 

  Pennell C. Evans was a student in Northampton County public schools and later enrolled at the Millersville State Normal School. He went on to study at the Lafayette College (graduating in 1874) and for two years following his graduation taught school in Easton, and by age twenty had assumed the role of assistant principal for the county's grammar schools. During this time Evans read law locally and was admitted to the bar in 1876. In that same year, he married Caroline Wolslayer (1850-1936), and the couple later had two daughters, Emily (1877-1950) and Ida (1879-1956).

   In 1882 Pennell Evans took his first steps into Keystone State politics, winning election to the Pennsylvania House of  Representatives that November with 8,738 votes. The 1883-85 session saw him serving on the committees on Constitutional Reform, Corporations, General Judiciary, and Legislative Apportionment. Evans won his second house term in 1884 and during the 1885-87 session sat on three new committees, those being Iron and Coal, Local Judiciary, and the Library. Evans wasn't a candidate for reelection in 1886 and after his term returned to practicing law in Easton.

   Eight years following his time in state government Pennell Evans was called back to public service when he was appointed as U.S. Postmaster at Easton by then-President Grover Cleveland. During his tenure, he served as part of the Pennsylvania delegation to the Democratic National Convention of 1896, which saw William Jennings Bryan nominated for the Presidency. Evans would subsequently serve as a delegate to the Democratic Conventions of 1900 and 1912, both of which saw Bryan again nominated as the party standard-bearer. Evans' time as postmaster extended until 1898, and in 1903 was elected as a solicitor for the board of the Northampton County Commissioners, serving until 1907. 

From the Pike County Dispatch, September 26, 1907

    In 1907 "Pen" Evans received the nomination for Judge of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, this occurring due to the previous nominee, Parke H. Davis, withdrawing from the contest. Evans would lose that contest to Republican candidate Russell C. Stewart, and in 1909 joined with Clarence Beck to found the law firm of Evans and Beck. In 1914 Evans launched a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 26th congressional district but failed to get his candidacy to extend beyond the Democratic primary. Pennell Coombe Evans died in Easton on March 18, 1919, aged 70. He was survived by his wife Caroline, who, following her death in 1936, was interred alongside her husband at the Easton Cemetery.