Joel J. Evans was born on June 28, 1820 in Georgia, probably Gwinnett County. He was the son of John Evans, who was born in Georgia about 1790, and Rebecca Jones, who was born about 1799 in Georgia. John and Rebecca were married in Morgan County, Georgia on March 19, 1816. Rebecca was the daughter of Joel Jones and Nancy Middleton, who were married in Richmond County, Georgia on July 3, 1792.
The Evans family were in Gwinnett County for the 1820 census. By 1830 they were in Newton County, Georgia where Joel's grandfather, Joel Jones, died in 1831. By the 1840 census, the family had moved to Walker County, Georgia. By 1843, the Evans family were in Pulaski County, Arkansas, living near what became the present day town of Cabot. When Prairie County was formed, this area became a part of the new county. The Evans family at this time consisted of John, Rebecca, Joel and Joel's sisters: Cyntha, Martha, Sarah, and May. A brother and sister of Rebecca Jones Evans also moved with the Evans family to Arkansas. Joel Jones, Jr. with his wife, Esther Coleman and family, and Nancy Jones Snow with her husband, Levi Snow and family, located to Prairie County from Georgia.
Joel Evans married Emily Swaim in Pulaski County in 1847. Emily was the daughter of William Swaim and his wife, Polly. Joel and Emily had six children: Mary, Rebecca J., Nancy, Minnie, Cyntha, and John. Emily died before the 1860 census was taken. Joel's mother, Rebecca, was listed with Joel and his children in the 1860 census. Joel's father, John Evans, had written his will in 1850 and it was entered into Prairie County records in 1852.
Joel Evans enlisted in Company C, Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles in October, 1861 at Flat Creek, Missouri. This company included many men from Prairie County. In the early part of November, 1861, the Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles were camped at Camp Sevier, Missouri. Their next move was to Camp Stephens, close to Bentonville, Arkansas. In December, 1861, one hundred and thirty men from companies A, B, C, and E of the Second Ark. Mounted Rifles, along with about 1,500 other men, engaged in a battle with more than 1,700 Native Americans who were Union sympathizers. The Confederate forces were led by Col. McIntosh. The Native Americans were led by Creek Chief Hopoeithleyohola. This battle took place in present day Osage County, Oklahoma. The Native Americans suffered great losses and were forced back. The Second Arkansas Mounted Rifles were camped in the mountains of northwest Arkansas for the wintertime in very bitter weather. Joel's muster roll states that he was absent, sick from February 20, 1862. Joel was released from the muster rolls in July, 1862.
Joel Evans married Catherine Ruddle Wylie between 1863 and 1865. Catherine was the daughter of James J. Ruddle and his wife, Elizabeth. At the time of her marriage to Joel, she was the widow of David T. Wylie, who was killed on July 4, 1863 at the battle before Helena, Arkansas. Catherine and David Wylie had three children: Franklin Elihue, David, and Mary. Catherine and Joel Evans had five children together: Joel Jr., Emily S., Allie, Martha, and Charles.
Catherine Evans passed away on December 25, 1890. In 1902, Joel applied for a Confederate pension from the State of Arkansas. He stated that he lived at Cabot, Arkansas and was 82 years old, feeble, generally debilitated and unable to provide for his own support. He also stated that his left leg was withered and perished as a result of a knife wound. Proof of Service by a Comrade was provided by former Arkansas Governor, James P. Eagle. He was the nephew of Joel's first wife, Emily Swaim. Joel served under James P. Eagle in the Civil War.
On October 4, 1906, Joel Evans was one of nine Confederate veterans to attend the dedication of Camp Nelson Confederate Cemetery at Cabot. In 1910, Joel was living with his son, Charles Evans and family in Caroline Township in Lonoke County. Joel died on January 6, 1912. The newspaper, "The Lonoke Democrat," stated that Mr. J. J. Evans was the oldest man living in Lonoke County at the time of his death. Joel Evans is buried in the Evans Family Cemetery in Cabot, Lonoke County, Arkansas.
