A sketch of the denominations of the Christian world: To which is prefixed an outline of atheism, deism, theophilanthropism, Judaism, and Mahometanism. ... from the birth of Christ to the present tim
John Evans was an American politician, physician, founder of various hospitals and medical associations, railroad promoter, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and namesake of Evanston, Illinois, Evanston, Wyoming, Evans, Colorado, Mount Evans, Colorado, and Evansburg, Pennsylvania.
Background
John Evans' birthplace was Waynesville, Ohio. David and Rachel (Burnet) Evans, his parents, were Quakers; the former a successful farmer and storekeeper in a small town, the latter a very religious woman and for a time a crusader against the liquor traffic. From both John inherited qualities that manifested themselves in later life.
Education
After attending the schools of Waynesville, he was sent in succession to the Academy at Richmond, Indiana, Gwynedd Boarding School for Boys, in Pennsylvania, and Clermont Academy, near Philadelphia.
His parents disapproving, he accepted aid from friends, entered Lynn Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1836, and graduated in 1838.
He imbibed from Simpson a zeal for education.
Career
He immediately began the practice of medicine. After a year spent in seeking an abiding place, the young physician settled with his wife, Hannah Canby, in Attica, Indiana. The characteristics that were to make him eminent appeared immediately. Successful and prominent in his profession, he was at the same time the builder and owner of a profitable business block.
He fell under the spell of Matthew Simpson, later a bishop of the Methodist Church, and left the church of his fathers to join that of the Methodists. He imbibed from Simpson a zeal for education.
At the same time he was an ardent antislavery man and a leader in the movement to establish the first hospital for the insane in Indiana. After the legislature had acted favorably on the latter proposal, he was selected as the first superintendent of the new institution and moved to Indianapolis in 1845 to keep in touch with its construction.
He resigned this office in 1848 to accept the chair of obstetrics in Rush Medical College in Chicago. Evans now lived in Chicago and later in its suburb which was named for him, Evanston.
Again he quickly gained prominence. Professor in Rush, he was also one of the editors and proprietors of the Northwestern Medical and Surgical Journal and one of the promoters of the institution later known as the Mercy Hospital. His interests were always broader than his profession, however.
An alderman in the city in 1853 and 1854, he was selected as chairman of the committee on schools; during his term of office the first superintendent of schools was chosen.
He invested in real estate in Chicago and Evanston, and constructed a business block in the former city. The great railroad-builder of Colorado was foreshadowed in the director and part-builder of the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad.
A highly respected professional and business man, Evans was appointed territorial governor of Colorado on March 26, 1862. Once more he moved westward and took up his residence in Denver.
As governor he assembled troops and dealt with the Indians; the demands of wartime left little opportunity for more constructive work. After his resignation in 1865 he was elected United States senator by those who hoped to see Colorado become a state; because of the failure of the statehood plan he never sat in Congress.
After 1866 he engaged in what were to him more congenial pursuits. A quiet man and an abhorrer of publicity, the Governor, as he was called, was nevertheless always a leader in Colorado.
He had given up his profession in 1859, and now devoted his attention to church, education, and business.
Closely connected with this interest was his foundation of Colorado Seminary, later and better known as the University of Denver.
He was its founder, its sound rock in times of financial distress, and the president of its board of trustees from its inception until his death. Behind his frock-coated exterior, great beard, and quiet face lay the ideals of a philanthropist and the spirit of an adventurer in business. It was this spirit that upheld John Evans, the railroad-builder.
In the late sixties, when it was certain that Denver was not to be on a transcontinental railroad, he led the movement that resulted in the incorporation of the Denver Pacific Railroad & Telegraph Company, which was to connect Denver with the Union Pacific at Cheyenne. When the contractors failed the company, he assumed the responsibility for completing the road that was to save his city from isolation.
On the opening of the line in June 1870, he was the hero of the day.
He also promoted the South Park Railroad, which afforded a way to the mining districts across the Continental Divide.
His last project, the Denver & New Orleans Railroad, incorporated in 1881, was to give Denver an outlet to the South.
While engaged in these activities, he invested in land in and near Denver and built an office building, the Evans Block.
In the nineties the Governor withdrew from active life. Fame was already his, and wealth.
In 1895, by act of the legislature, the great peak lying to the west of Denver was renamed Mount Evans.
The people of Colorado honored his memory at the end of his life with what was virtually a state funeral.
Always a strong Methodist and an outstanding figure in the affairs of his church, he was generous to all struggling congregations ; it is said that for years he gave one hundred dollars to every church of any denomination started in Colorado.
Politics
A quiet man and an abhorrer of publicity, the Governor, as he was called, was nevertheless always a leader in Colorado.
In the late sixties, when it was certain that Denver was not to be on a transcontinental railroad, he led the movement that resulted in the incorporation of the Denver Pacific Railroad & Telegraph Company, which was to connect Denver with the Union Pacific at Cheyenne.
Views
The generosity which characterized him whenever church or education was concerned was shown in his endowment of two chairs, those of Latin language and literature, and mental and moral philosophy. Behind these activities and supporting them was the capable man of business.
Membership
United States Senate
Closely connected with this interest was his foundation of Colorado Seminary, later and better known as the University of Denver. He was its founder, its sound rock in times of financial distress, and the president of its board of trustees from its inception until his death.
Personality
Behind his frock-coated exterior, great beard, and quiet face lay the ideals of a philanthropist and the spirit of an adventurer in business.
It was this spirit that upheld John Evans, the railroad builder.
Interests
Music & Bands
He was its founder, its sound rock in times of financial distress, and the president of its board of trustees from its inception until his death.
Connections
After a year spent in seeking an abiding place, the young physician settled with his wife, Hannah Canby, in Attica, Indiana.
On August 18, 1853, he married his second wife, Margaret Patten Gray.