Benjamin Rees Evans was born in Perry Township, Gallia County, Ohio on February 28, 1909, the son of John Everette and Elizabeth Rees Evans. He attended rural schools and graduated from Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis, Ohio in 1926. He then attended Rio Grande College and Ohio State University and graduated from Ohio State in 1934, with a B. S. Degree in Education and a Master of Arts Degree in 1939.
On August 5, 1937, he was married to Helen Arthur of Gallipolis, Ohio, who passed away June 13, 1966. They had two daughters. In 1968, M. W. Brother Evans married Margaret Jones Evans.
He taught in the public schools for seventeen years and served as Executive Vice President of Rio Grande College in 1947-48. His business experience includes retail salesman, traveling salesman, and V. President and Manager of a retail lumber company. He began selling life insurance in 1952 and became a General Agent five years later.
Mr. Evans was a member of the Local, State, and National Association of Life Underwriters. He was a Life Member of Ohio Leaders Club of the Ohio Association of Life Underwriters and holder of National Quality Award for 13 years.
He served as President of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, all elective offices of the Jackson Lions Club, and Junior District Governor of District 13H of Lions International, and Executive Vice President of Rio Grand College.
Other activities include President of Elementary School Principals of Ohio in 1941, President of Jackson Reading Club 1959-60, Past President of Southeastern Ohio Life Underwriters Association and National Committeeman of the National Association of Life Underwriters.
He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Ohio, where he served as Teacher, Superintendent of Sunday School, Ruling Elder and Clerk of Session. He was active in the committee work of Scioto Presbytery.
He was raised in Patriot Lodge No. 496, F. & A. M. Patriot, Ohio, September 5,1930, and was Master in 1937-38. He then dimitted to Morning Dawn Lodge No.7, Gallipolis, Ohio.
He was also a member of Gallipolis Chapter #79 and Moriah Council #32, Rose Commandery #43, and transferred Chapter and Council membership to Jackson in 1949. Member of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Columbus. Past Commander Rose #43 in 1947-48; Past Master Trowel Council #71 in 1953-54; and Past High Priest Trowel Chapter #70 in 1956-57. He received the York Cross of Honor Degree in 1956.
He completed Capitular Masonry R. A. M. School in 1950 and was President of the 4th Division Templar Advancement, 1953, President of 6th Arch Council, 1956 and President 12th Capitular Royal Arch Masons, 1958.
He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Masonic Veterans Assoc. Order of Silver Trowel, Jackson Order of Boneheads, Director of Jackson County Scottish Rite for eleven years, Grand Representative to Pennsylvania for Grand Council of Ohio since 1957. He was Member of Aladdin Temple and Jackson-Vinton Shrine Club. District Education Officer 12th District in 1959 and has served as a member of the Education Committee of Grand Lodge of Ohio for the past seven years.
In 1959, he was appointed a Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. He was crowned an honorary member of the Supreme Council 33° at Detroit, Michigan September 1964 and received the Legion of Honor Degree, Order of DeMolay in 1965.
He was a member of Conference Committee-Grand Masters of Masons in North America 1966-67.
In October 1952, he was appointed by Brother Thomas A. Reber, M. W. Grand Master to serve as District Deputy Grand Master for the Twelfth Masonic District of Ohio and served in the capacity for three years. Brother Charles K. Cunningham, M. W. Grand Master appointed him Junior Grand Deacon in October, 1959, and he subsequently served in the various appointive and elective stations in the Grand Lodge of Ohio line until elected and installed as Grand Master in Cincinnati on October 22, 1966.
He was a valued member of The Jurisprudence Committee of The Grand Lodge and served as Chairman of The Scholarship Committee for many years.
M. W. Brother Evans passed away in Dayton on 24 October 1985. Masonic Services were held on Sunday 27 October at 6:45 in Dayton. Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. at the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church on 28 October with interment in Fairmont Cemetery, Jackson, Ohio.