Horace M. Evans, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Horace M. Evans
DR. HORACE M. EVANS.
Dr. Evans is one of the leading physicians of Valparaiso, and professor of one of the most important departments of the Normal School. He is of Scotch-Welsh-German origin, and his ancestors came to America and settled in that grand old mother of States, Virginia, in Colonial days. Abraham Evans, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer Methodist minister of Indiana, and was seventy-five years of age at the time of his death. At an early day he came West, to Harrison county, Indiana, and was one of the pioneer preachers (Hoosier State), being known far and wide. During the latter part of his life he became blind from an accident, and for more than ten years was known as the "blind preacher." He married a Miss Venner, and to them were born nine children, whose descendants are scattered throughout the West. Isaac W. Evans, father of our subject, was born in Harrison County. Indiana, and received a collegiate education at Hartsville, Indiana. Later he became a teacher, and was at one time Principal of the ward schools of Louisville, Kentucky, having charge of important schools in different places. He became Professor of Sciences at Valparaiso City School in 1890, but resigned his position in 1891, and is now living in that city, retired from the active duties of life. For thirty years he has been a ruling elder in his church, the Presbyterian, and socially he is a Mason, an Odd-Fellow, and a Knight of Honor. His wife, who was originally Miss Mary McRae, is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her parents were early settlers of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Evans were born five children: Horace M., Claudius M., Mary E., Walter H., who is now Principal in the High School of Valparaiso, and Guy H. Dr. Horace M. Evans, our subject, was born April 15, 1860, on a farm in Harrison County, Indiana, and his early education was received in the district and graded schools of Elizabeth, Harrison County. At the youthful age of sixteen he began teaching in the country schools, received thirty-three dollars per month, and boarded himself, walking daily a distance of five miles. He taught five years in Harrison County, and then four years in Posey County, Indiana, being Principal of the ward schools at Mt. Vernon. Later he was Principal of the Farmersville schools, where he had five assistants, and while teaching he attended the Normal School at Danville, Indiana. In the spring of 1885 he came to Valparaiso and took the Scientific and Medical course, graduating in 1886. The same year he became Professor of Natural Sciences in the Normal. During the year 1891-'92 he attended the Northwestern University Medical School of Chicago, and was graduated from the same April 26. 1892. Immediately after he began the practice of medicine in Valparaiso, but continued his professorship in the Normal. The Doctor is a member of the County Medical Association, and Assistant Surgeon of the Nickle-Plate Railroad. He is President of the Valparaiso School Board and Pension Examiner. In politics he is a Republican and socially an Odd-Fellow, having filled all the chairs, and being Captain of Canton Baum for three years. Dr. Evans was married May 30, 1889, to Miss Anna Maud Skinner, daughter of Hon. D. F. Skinner, who is President of the First National Bank. Two children have been given the Doctor and wife: DeForest W., and Anna Ruth. Dr. and Mrs. Evans are members of the Presbyterian Church, and active workers in the same. The Doctor has been elder for two years, was Superintendent of the Sunday School, and was leader of the choir for a number of years. He is a self-made man, for he began a poor boy and made his start in life by teaching. He had but fifty dollars when he came to Valparaiso, and was liberally assisted financially by Prof. Brown, who, without security, loaned him $300 to complete his studies. The Doctor has been unusually successful, and is the leading medical practitioner at the Normal School.
Source: Goodspeed Brothers. 1894. Pictorial and Biographical Record of La Porte, Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, Indiana. Chicago, Illinois: Goodspeed Brothers. 569 p.
Page(s) in Source: 419-421
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook