John Evans (governor)
John Evans ( born March 9, 1814 Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio; † July 3, 1897 in Denver, Colorado) was an American physician and politician. Between 1862 and 1865 he was governor of the Colorado Territory.
Early years and political rise
Evans attended until 1838, the Clermont Academy, where he studied medicine. He then moved to Attica in Indiana, where he practiced as a doctor. He was also one of the founders of the first government hospital in Indianapolis, whose first director he was. After another move to Chicago, he also helped build a hospital there. He also issued a medical newspaper and he founded the Medical Society of Illinois. In addition, he became a professor at Rush Medical College.
In addition to his medical activities, Evans also participated in two railroad companies. This he quickly became a wealthy man who also gained political influence soon. In 1851 he founded the Northwestern University. Until his death he was chairman of the board of trustees of the university. He was also one of the founders of the Republican Party in Illinois and was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln.
Territorial Governor of Colorado
On March 31, 1862 President Lincoln appointed his friend Evans as territorial governor in Colorado. In his new home, Evans also included friendship with Reverend John M. Chivington. Together, they formed the later University of Denver. In 1864, Evans Chivington appointed colonel of a volunteer unit with the task of " calm " the Indians. With 800 men Chivington then came across an unarmed Indians group under Chief Black Kettle, who camped at Sand Creek. Chivington gave the order to attack, the bloody ended and became known as the sand Creek massacre. 53 unarmed Indians and 110 women and children were killing on 28 November 1864. Governor Evans endorsed not only the procedure, but drew Chivington and his men even for their acts of, with the true sequence of events was concealed. Due to cover up the massacre he was deposed by the new President Andrew Johnson on July 18, 1865 as governor.
Further CV
Even after his dismissal Evans was very popular in Colorado. Until his death, he was Chairman of the Board of the Denver Seminary.
The Mount Evans near Denver was named after him, as well as Evanston, the location of Northwestern University. Evans was the father of Samuel Hitt Elbert, who also was territorial governor of Colorado from 1873 to 1874.