H. Clay Evans
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Henry Clay Evans (June 18, 1843 - December 12, 1921) was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee.
Born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, Evans moved to Wisconsin in 1844, with his parents, who settled in Platteville, Grant County. He attended the common schools and a business school in Madison. He was graduated from a business training school at Chicago in 1861. During the Civil War, Evans enlisted on May 6, 1864, as a corporal in Company A, 41st Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until September 24, 1864. He settled in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1870 and engaged in the manufacture of freight cars.
Evans was elected mayor in 1881, serving two terms. He organized the public-school system of Chattanooga and served as first school commissioner.
Evans was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress (March 4, 1889-March 3, 1891). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the Fifty-second Congress. He was First Assistant Postmaster General 1891-1893.
Evans was elected Governor of Tennessee in 1894 on the face of the returns, but a legislative recount rejected certain votes and declared his Democratic opponent, Peter Turney, elected.
He was appointed Commissioner of Pensions April 1, 1897, and served until May 13, 1902, when he resigned to enter the diplomatic service.
He was appointed United States consul general to London, England, May 9, 1902, retiring in 1905. He was chosen commissioner of health and education of Chattanooga in 1911. He died in Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 12, 1921. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery, St. Elmo, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
