Description:This is an abridged version of his biography from The Handsworth Magazine. The full version is available as a download. Mr Evans address was given as Well Head Brewery, Well Head Lane, Perry Barr. Interestingly in 1900 he had a telephone (no. 146) - a rare commodity in those days...
Mr Evans connection with Perry Barr dates back many years. In 1878 he started in business in the district as a maltster. For a number of years he followed this avocation, but was subsequently induced to try his business talents in another direction by the transference, under a Liberal Government, of the duty on malt to beer. The malting trade did not benefit by this change, indeed when the duty was taken off malt it was placed on much the same footing as an ordinary corn dealing business. Under these circumstances many maltsters forsook their old trade and turned brewers. Among the above was the subject of our sketch, Mr Evans, who built the Well Head Brewery at Perry Barr.
We had the pleasure of visiting the Brewery a few days ago and can honestly congratulate Mr Evans upon its situation, which is rural and picturesque in the extreme. From the Brewery which by the way is fitted up with the most modern appliances for the production of beer many well known landmarks on the countryside can be readily made out with the naked eye.
Mr Evans is a life-long Conservative and has been associated with the Handsworth Conservative Association for many years.
For two years past he acted as Chairman of the Birchfield Ward Committee and has recently been re-elected to that position. He is a personal friend of many of the gentlemen whose colleague he now is on the District Council and is very popular in the district.
Mr Evans home life is of a refined character. He is extremely fond of music and is, we may add, having had the pleasure of hearing him on more than one occasion, an excellent singer, his voice being a baritone of robust quality. His favourite recreation is shooting and during the winter months he likes nothing better than to shoulder his gun and with his dog for a companion, get away to a favourable country district for a day's sport.