H. Clay Evans

        Hon. H. Clay Evans, a gentleman whose name is synonymous with the business interests and prosperity of Chattanooga, is a native of Juniata County, Penn., his birth occurring in 1843. His parents, Jesse B. and Anna (Shingle) Evans, were also natives of the Keystone State, but removed from there to Wisconsin in 1846, where the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. In 1849 the father became infected with the gold fever, and leaving his family crossed to the Pacific Slope, where he engaged in mining. He died in Montana Territory in 1869. As a member of the Union Army, H. Clay Evans participated in its various fortunes until 1864, when he arrived in Chattanooga which has since been his home. For some time he was connected with the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad, and was one of the active promoters of the interests of the great Roane Iron Company. From 1874 to 1884 he served as secretary, treasurer, vice-president and general manager of the last named corporation, but in the latter year was elected cashier of the First National Bank which position he resigned to accept the Republican candidacy for Congress in the Third Congressional District. Mr. Evans entered this contest with a Democratic majority of about 1,700 votes against him, but his known ability and personal popularity cut down the opposing majority to only sixty-eight votes. Besides being the present sole owner of the Anchor Flouring Mills, the largest in the South, Mr. Evans is the chief stock holder and manager of the Chattanooga Car & Foundry Company, and is a large stock owner of the Lookout Mountain Inclined Railway Company. He served as city mayor two terms and is now a member of the board of mayor and alderman. He is a member of the Electric Light Company of Chattanooga, is the owner of one of the finest residences in the city (built at a cost of about $20, 000) on East Terrace Street, and is, in every sense of the word, a Chattanoogan, with Chattanooga ideas and with the proverbial enterprise of Chattanooga. Mr. Evans is a Sir Knight in Masonry. He married Miss Addie Durand, of Chautauqua County, N. Y., and their union has been fruitful in the birth of three children.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887