General Evans Bio from “A History of Tuolumne Co, CA” B.F. Alley, 1882:
Among the many notable present or past residents of old Tuolumne, no one has ever occupied a more prominent position in public life, and no one has distinguished himself in a higher degree, by the possession of valuable qualities of mind and heart, than juts the subject of this sketch. During a third of a century General Evans has continued to retain the respect and admiration of his contemporaries, and now, after long years spent in public service and private enterprise, we find him in possession of those valuable mental gifts which have made his career a succession of high achievements.
He was born in Tecumseh, Michigan, in August, 1826. Going to Texas in his early boyhood, his youth was there passed during the time when the heroic pioneers of that State were preparing for the struggle which gave them independence from the hated dominion of Mexico. In the subsequent period, when Texas constituted a republic, his father became a member of the Cabinet of the "Lone Star" State. The fortunes of the war, however, drove the family from their pleasant home, and in the bloody and memorable conflict at Alamo, the brother of young George met his death while in command of a detachment. Directly after these stirring events find transpired, the subject of our account removed to New Orleans, there to attend school, and at a subsequent period to enter the dry goods store of Thomas Sheldon & Co, and again, at a later date, to go into the service of the Western Marine Fire Insurance Company.
Somewhat later, when war broke out between the United States and Mexico, Mr. Evans, now come to the age of nineteen years, proceeded again to Texas, and enlisted in the independent company commanded by the celebrated Captain Ben. McCulloch, and served until the battle of Monterey, being attached to the regiment of Colonel Jack Hays. After the taking of that city, Mr. Evans, with his comrades, were disbanded, when he returned to Texas and re-enlisted with McCulloch, receiving the appointment of Assistant Quartermaster, performing those duties acceptably until the company received its final discharge.
The arts of peace now demanded his attention, and we accordingly next hear of him as proprietor of a hotel at Saltillo, where he remained not long, going back to Austin just at the beginning of the great movement westward to the golden hills of California. As might he expected from the General’s well known activity and love of adventure, he at once joined the moving throng, forming a company of gold-seekers, who left Austin on March 17, 1849, and proceeding westward by way of the Colorado River, touched California soil on the 4th of July of that year. Passing through Los Angeles, the cavalcade came to Tuolumne County, arriving first at Don Pedro’s Bar, and going next to Wood’s Crossing, then the most notable mining place in the county, as well as the first discovered. On the 17th of August, Mr. Evans entered the town of Sonora, then in the very earliest period of its existence. The attractions of the new place did not detain him long, for we next hear of him mining at Murphy’s, in Calaveras County, and later at Pine Log, where he, in company with C. M. Radcliff, located the well known “Texas” claim, which still bears its early name. This was in the month of October. In the next month Mr. Evans sold out his interest in the claim for $16, and walked to Sonora, entering there the service of Messrs. Green & Holden, and so remaining until the year 1851, when the state of his health compelled him to return East.
Spending a year or so in various places in Arkansas and Texas, and having partially recovered his health, he proceeded next to cross the Republic of Mexico, arriving at Mazatlan, on the shore of the Pacific, whence he came to San Francisco in a brig, arriving in the Golden Gate in May, 1852. Before the great fire of June, 1852, Mr. Evans had returned to Sonora, and after that disastrous event he entered into partnership with ‘‘ Uncle Josh Holden, and erected the American Exchange, a public house, which they kept until the following year, when it was burned. In the same year he became County Clerk, having affiliated with the Democrats. He performed the duties of this office until 1855, when he removed to San Francisco, to take a position in the Custom House, under Milton S. Latham, then Collector of the Port. Since that year the General’s changes have been so numerous, that the limits to which this brief account is necessarily confined will not permit more than a hasty mention. Becoming Secretary of the Senate in 1856, again County Clerk of Tuolumne in the following year, and, at the expiration of his term, Minute Clerk of the State Senate, Under Sheriff of Tuolumne during the administration of Dan. Patterson, the proper performance of these duties filled up the years until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he became Major of the Second California Cavalry, and achieved a war record whose main points are as follows: Mustered in at Camp Alert, San Francisco; then proceeding to Wilmington, he established Drumm Barracks; removed to Camp Latham, near Los Angeles; the next Spring proceeded to Owen’s River with a detachment; fought the Indians successfully; established Camp Independence; July 4, 1863, was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel; went to Visalia to put down Southern sympathizers, leaving Captain T. H. Goodman, now an officer of the Central Pacific Railway, in charge of Camp Independence. The subsequent months were spent in maintaining order in the difficult Department of Southern California, and after a time Lieutenant-Colonel Evans removed to Salt Lake, when, in consequence of the suspected treason of Colonel Simms, the former assumed command, being promoted to the Colonelcy of the Regiment and Brevet Brigadier-General. His acts during these years belong to the history of the military affairs of the nation, and it is sufficient to say here that the duties that devolved upon him were performed in the most efficient and praiseworthy manner, reflecting credit alike upon the General and the Government in whose service he was.
Re-signing has command in May, 1863, he returned to his home in California and for a time represented the soldiers as delegate to this Sacramento Convention which nominated Low for Governor of this State.
Elected now to the State Senate from Tuolumne, he held the office for four years, then becoming Adjutant-General of this State, but resigned to again enter the Senate Chamber. After the session he again became Adjutant-General owing to the resignation of the incumbent, and he served during the remainder of Low’s a the administration, and through the first half- year of Governor Haight' s term.
