Background
Evans was born in 1855 in Liverpool, England, but migrated with his family to Battery Point, Tasmania when he was four years old.
Evans was born in 1855 in Liverpool, England, but migrated with his family to Battery Point, Tasmania when he was four years old.
His father, a merchant seaman, arranged an apprenticeship for him on his part-owned barque, Helen, trading to China and Japan. John was first elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the electorate of Kingborough on 20 January 1897. Evans became Premier on 12 July 1904.
Holding office until 19 June 1909.
In 1909 his seat of Kingborough was abolished and replaced with the Division of Franklin. His time in parliament, forty years from 1897 to 1937, makes him the longest-serving member in Tasmania.
He did not have a political party, at this time, but is described as Anti-Socialist.