H. Clay Evans

Henry Clay Evans (June 18, 1843 – December 12, 1921) was an American politician and businessman who represented Tennessee's 3rd district in the United States House of Representatives from 1889 to 1891, and was twice a candidate for Governor of Tennessee (1894 and 1906). He also served as Commissioner of Pensions from 1897 to 1902, and as U.S. consul to London from 1902 to 1905. and the state legislature discarded thousands of votes in the 1894 gubernatorial election to allow his opponent, Peter Turney, to win.

Evans was also active in local politics in his adopted hometown of Chattanooga, where he championed education. He served two terms as Mayor of Chattanooga (1882–1883), and in his later years served as the city's Commissioner of Education.

In 1870, Evans returned to Chattanooga and engaged in the manufacture of freight cars. Elected mayor in 1881, he served two terms. He organized the public-school system of Chattanooga and served as first school commissioner. From 1884 to 1885 he worked as cashier of Chattanooga's First National Bank. Evans became president of the Chattanooga Car and Foundry Company and remained principal owner until 1917.

Elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress, Evans served from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1891. He was not a successful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the Fifty-second Congress and was First Assistant Postmaster General from 1891 to 1893.

Evans was elected Governor of Tennessee in 1894 on the face of the returns, but a recount rejected certain votes and declared his Democratic opponent, Peter Turney, elected. He was appointed Commissioner of Pensions April 1, 1897, and served until May 13, 1902, when he resigned to enter the diplomatic service.

Appointed United States consul general to London, England, on May 9, 1902, Evans resigned from that position in 1905. He was chosen commissioner of health and education of Chattanooga in 1911.

Death Evans died from heart disease in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on December 12, 1921, aged 78. He is interred at Forest Hills Cemetery, St. Elmo, Chattanooga, Tennessee.