Bio of EVANS, Dr. Owen Jason (b.1840 d.1916), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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OWEN JASON EVANS, M. D. - Vol III, pg 270, 273-274
Dr. Owen Jason Evans was the last surviving charter member of the State Medical
Society of Minnesota. His entire life was devoted to service in the field of his
profes­sion for his fellowmen, and for a half century he engaged in active
practice in Minneapolis, where he took up his abode in 1865. He held to the
highest ideals concerning the duties, the obligations and the opportunities of
his chosen calling and from pioneer times to the second decade of the twentieth
century there were countless hundreds who had reason to bless him for kindly and
able assistance in the field of his chosen work. His last few years were spent
in honorable retirement from labor, although there were many families who had
long benefited by his services who were loath to turn to others in the hour of
sickness.
Owen Jason Evans came to Minnesota from the state of New York, his birth having
occurred in the town of Remsen, Oneida county, February 5, 1840. His parents
were Thomas T. and Mary (Lewis) Evans, both of whom were born and reared in
Anglesey, an island off the coast of Wales in the Irish sea, and both
represented stanch old Welsh families. The marriage of the parents was
solemnized in their native land and upon coming to America they established
their residence in Oneida county, New York, where the father became the owner
and operator of a dairy farm. They had a family of ten children, of whom the
Doctor was the ninth in order of birth. In 1858 the family removed to Rome, New
York, where the father and mother spent their remaining days.
At the usual age Dr. Evans became a pupil in the little district school near his
birthplace. Thereafter he continued his higher academic studies in the Rome
Academy, where he completed his more specifically literary course. Having
determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work he then matriculated in
the Albany (N. Y.) Medical College and was graduated in December, 1862, with the
M. D. degree. The country was at that time engaged in Civil war and having
completed his course he at once gave tangible evidence of his loyalty and
patriotism by tendering his services :o the Union army. The day that brought him
his medical diploma also gained for him his commission as assistant surgeon of
the Fortieth New York Volunteer Infantry ind with that rank he proceeded to the
front, where he Joined the army of the Potomac. His entire military record was
one which ever reflected credit and honor upon his name, as at all times he most
loyally performed every duty, nor hesitated in the face of hardship or danger.
Following the battle at Chancellorsville he was detailed as a member of the
surgical operating staff of his brigade and in that important service he
continued until the close of hostilities. A year and a half before the end of
the war, at the urgent request of all of the officers of the regiment, he had
been placed on the regimental surgical staff, notwithstanding the fact that his
associate assistant surgeon was twenty-nine years his senior. The personal
popularity and the recognized professional ability of Dr. Evans, however,
secured for him the appointment and his course never caused a shadow of regret
to be felt by those who endorsed him for the position. At the battle of the
Wilderness a request was made for volunteer surgeons to remain with and care for
the wounded while the army moved to the left and prepared for the battle of
Spottsylvania. Dr. Evans responded to the call for this exacting service and the
day following that on which the army of the Potomac moved forward the
Confederate officer, Colonel White, with his guerrilla band, captured the four
surgeons and all of their wounded patients. They were held in captivity for two
weeks, when by a clever ruse they effected their escape to Fredericksburg, this
being accomplished largely through maneuvers and efforts of Dr. Evans. He
started for the headquarters of General Wade Hampton for the purpose of
obtaining needed supplies, but was met by the Confederate officer of the day and
halted. He persuaded the officer to allow him to depart unmolested for
Fredericksburg and on his return to come in with such a supply train as he might
be able to secure. Instead of following out his instructions he at once sought
the Federal lines under General Ferreros not many miles distant and after
obtaining a goodly amount of food and medical supplies, together with about
seventy-five ambulances, he returned to his stricken comrades. The next day he
accomplished the removal and escape of about two-thirds of the wounded Union
soldiers and he also left adequate provisions for the remainder as well as for
about two hundred wounded Confederate soldiers, while with his rescued comrades
he made his way in safety to the Union lines. Following General Lee's surrender
at Appomattox, Dr. Evans was detailed as chief medical officer of the department
at Farmville, Virginia, where the Confederate hospital was situated and where
many wounded Union and Confederate soldiers were found. In caring for these men
Dr. Evans completed his service in connection with the Civil war and a little
later he had become well established in Minneapolis.
From 1865 until his death Dr. Evans continued a resident of this city and his
entire professional career was characterized by the highest standards and most
efficient work in behalf of his fellowmen. At the same time his sound business
Judgment prompted him to make careful investment in real estate at an early day
and he added to the advancement of the city by erecting many substantial
dwellings and three business blocks, one of which was the Anglesey block, a
three-story structure, containing three store rooms, at the corner of Hennepin
avenue and Fourteenth street, Along many lines of usefulness he served his city,
being a valued member of the city council and doing earnest work in behalf of
the public schools as a member of the board of education. In 1885 he was chosen
to represent his district in the state legislature and was there the author of a
bill whereby the property known as Minnehaha Falls Park was condemned and taken
over by the state. Later it was purchased by the city, the state retaining the
ground on which is now located the Minnesota Soldiers' Home. Prior to this time
Minnehaha Falls Park was the resort of the most undesirable class of citizens
who made it an unfit place for all those who desired to go there and enjoy the
natural beauty of the place. Dr. Evans was for many years a director of the
Minneapolis Board of Trade and his interest in everything that pertains to the
public good was manifest in tangible support of those projects which advanced
for the general welfare.
Another field of labor in which Dr. Evans became known was the raising of live
stock and the promotion of horticultural interests in Minnesota. He acquired
title to a valuable farm, which he developed and improved, making it one of the
attractive places in the state. Thereon he was successfully and extensively
engaged in breeding fine horses and cattle and through his efforts did much to
improve the graded stock produced in Minnesota. He was largely instrumental in
introducing high class draft. horses, both Clydesdale and Percheron, into the
state and he was the possessor of a fine Tiffany prize cup, valued at one
hundred dollars, which he won at the state fair on exhibiting the Wilkes
trotting stallion, Red Chieftain, and four of his get. He also possessed. other
interesting trophies won by his fine registered horses and cattle. He made a
specialty of Jersey cattle and again his influence was a dominant factor in
promoting standards of cattle raising in Minnesota. He turned his attention to
horticulture in the Bitterroot valley of Montana and on the Pinellas peninsula
of Florida, in both of which localities he made large investments in property.
In 1869 Dr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Dodge of Princeton,
Illinois, who passed away a decade later. In 1890 he married Miss Tamazin McKee,
with whom he traveled life's journey most happily until he was called to the
home beyond on the 16th of October, 1916.
In connection with his professional activities Dr. Evans had long maintained
membership with the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical
Society, the Hennepin County Medical Society, and in the proceedings of these
bodies his opinions were always received with interest and close attention. He
ever proudly wore the little bronze button that proclaimed him a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, his connection being with Rawlins Post, of which he
served for four terms as surgeon. He was also identified with the Minnesota
Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and was a member of its
council. The Minne­apolis Club and the Nicollet Club numbered him with their
active members for a considerable period, but from both he resigned some years
prior to his death. He was long an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian
church, his association therewith covering a half century and in its teachings
was found the guiding spirit of his career. Active as he was in behalf of
education and all forms of advancement, he was most of all a noble and
consistent Christian, whose religious belief was the foundation upon which he
builded.