WI BIO - Dane Co - EVANS, Niels C.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 516-518

Dr. Niels C. EVANS, a prominent physician and druggist of Mt. Horeb, Dane 
County, WI, is a son of Christian EVANSON, who was born in Christiania [now 
Olso], Norway, 24 Dec 1819. While in his native country the latter was 
engaged as a contractor and in the stock business. In 1854 Christian EVANSON 
came to America; he was married in Norway to Rangnild Nielson BREKKE, a 
native of Norway, and who came to America with her brother, Lars NELSON, in 
1848, preceding her husband by about five years. They came by sailing 
vessel, and were 16 weeks on the voyage, having been grounded on a rock near 
England, and obliged to wait for repairs. After landing in NY they came by 
Erie Canal and the lakes to Milwaukee, WI, then to near Stoughton, Dane 
County, WI, and later to Madison, that county, where she met her husband.

Christian EVANSON was then without money, having failed on account of Modum's 
nickel mine having shut down. His [p 517] customers were miners and could 
not meet their obligations; but by hard work the mother [Rangnild] had saved 
about $350. They first engaged in keeping a boarding house in Madison one 
year, and then bought 120 acres of land on section 14, Perry Township, Dane 
County, WI, paying $3 per acre. They lived about four years in a "dugout" 
covered with sod, etc., after which they erected a more commodious residence, 
in which they still reside. Chrisitian EVANSON has added to his original 
purchase until he now owns 240 acres of the finest land in the township. In 
1872 he was appointed Postmaster of Forward, Dane County, WI, and was also 
engaged in the mercantile business until 1887. Although not a politician, he 
has been connected with township offices, having served as a member of the 
Board of Supervisors, as Assessor, and Treasurer.

Christian and Rangnild EVANSON were the parents of four children: Christian, 
deceased, was buried at Rochester [Monroe County], NY; Annette, wife of P.A. 
TYVAN, of Forward, Perry Township, Dane County, WI; Niels C., our subject; 
and Matilda, who died at the age of three and a half years, and was buried in 
the old Perry cemetery, in Perry Township.

Niels C. EVANS, the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in 
Perry Township, Dane County, WI, 10 Jul 1857. His people were strongly 
opposed to the common schools, and he therefore studied the catechism and 
learned what he could under adverse circumstances until 12 years of age. He 
was then permitted to attend the public schools during the winter terms for 
the following four years, and then, in company with another boy, started for 
Postville, Green County, WI, where they attended school three months. Niels 
C. EVANS returned home every Saturday, walking the entire distance of 10 
miles, and on Monday morning taking provisions to last the entire week. 
After leaving this school he attended the Worthington Business College, at 
Madison, three months, after which he continued his studies at home. He was 
then in delicate health, and consequently had much time for study.

In 1881 Niels C. EVANS began the study of medicine under Dr. A. J. WARD, of 
Madison, where he remained from Sep until the following Apr. He was an apt 
scholar, and made rapid progress. The following fall he entered the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, at Chicago, IL, where he graduated in Mar 1884, 
and then began the practice of medicine at Mt. Horeb, Dane County, WI. A few 
years after his arrival here he established his drug store, where he still 
continues.

Dr. Niels C. EVANS was married 09 Sep 1879 to Lena C. LEWIS, a native of 
Norway, and whose parents now reside in Perry Township, Dane County, WI. To 
this union have been born four children: Carl Milo, Nora Lydia, Belle 
Rosetta, and Walter Clarence. The Doctor is a prominent man in his township, 
has held aloof from politics, but is frequently urged by his friends to 
accept positions of trust. During the fall of 1892 he received the 
nomination for member of the Assembly, on the Democratic ticket, in the 4th 
District of Dane County. Herman B. DAHLE was nominated on the Republican 
ticket; O. M. HELLAND on the Prohibition ticket. Mr. DAHLE and the Doctor 
were born and raised almost neighbors, in the town of Perry, Dane County, 
which made it rather unpleasant, in a degree, to run against one another; but 
the Doctor, having received the nomination first, could not consistently 
refuse to run, however much he disliked to. The result of the election was 
that the Doctor received 1,805 votes, H. B. [p 518] DAHLE 1,320, and O. M. 
HELLAND 268, giving the Doctor a 385 plurality, and a majority of 117 votes 
over both the other candidates. In the home town he received 43 Republican 
votes, whereas Mr. DAHLE drew only five Democratic votes away from Dr. EVANS. 
After his Dr. EVANS entered into partnership with Dr. C. A. GILL, of 
Madison. He is the only practicing physician in the town, is a pleasant and 
reliable gentleman, and has the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly