San Francisco County
Biographies
John T. Evans, Principal and proprietor of the Evans School of Chemistry and Assaying, San Francisco, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1847. In 1848 he was brought by his parents to Wisconsin, where his father became extensively engaged as a lumber and flour merchant, owning mills at Racine and Berlin.
John T. began his education in the public school at Racine, subsequently taking
a collegiate course at Ripon College, Fond du Lac,
Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1871. At the age of fourteen years he
began the study of chemistry, and in his simple laboratory performed many
experiments. During his collegiate course he gave particular attention to
the studies of chemistry and mineralogy in both a theoretical and practical
manner. After graduating he was appointed Principal of the public schools
of Ripon, where he taught until 1873, when he came to California. After
passing three years in the mines of Sierra county, in studying the practical
methods of treating ores, in recovering the gold and silver from the rock, he
returned to San Francisco and entered the employ of Thomas Price, the leading assayist of the city, where he gained much valuable
information and became chief assistant to Mr. Price in the assaying of ores and
minerals.
In 1888 Mr. Evans established his school of chemistry and assaying in the
Sherman building, corner of Clay and Montgomery streets, subsequently moving to
the rooms in Montgomery block formerly occupied by the chemical section of the
United States Geological Survey. He purchased the fixtures in these rooms
and has since conducted his school here. He gives special courses in
particular lines of assay and mineral investigations, taking only such studies
as relate to the special line of work desired. Pupils come to him from
all parts of the country, from Alaska to Mexico, and many of them are now
occupying prominent positions secured through his certificates of adaptability
and competency. He has an extended acquaintance throughout the West, and
has no need of advertising his school. He also conducts a general assay
and analytical business in ores, minerals, soils, fertilizers, liquids, medical
chemistry, etc.
He was married in San Francisco, in 1875, to Miss Mary Jehn,
a native of California. To this union four children have been
added: Eva, Herbert, Miriam and Walter.
Mr. Evans is a member of the Academy of Sciences, in which for two terms he
served as Vice-President, under Prof. George Davidson. He is also a
member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.
Transcribed
1-14-05 Marilyn R. Pankey
Source:
"The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 689, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 Marilyn R. Pankey.