Fonds edm-102 - H.M.E. Evans fonds

Henry Marshall Erskine (Harry) Evans was born in Davenport, Ontario in 1976. In 1897 he graduated from the University of Toronto, earning a gold medal in Natural Sciences. He then attended the School of Mines in Houghton, Michigan before traveling to Mexico to assist in his uncle's mining interests. In 1900 Evans moved to Winnipeg and embarked on a varied business career. While working for an American, John Butchard, Evans traveled to the Pembina region of Alberta. He was quick to see the area's potential and in 1907 he relocated to Edmonton. He later established a townsite in the Pembina area, named Evansburg in his honour. In Edmonton he acted as a financial agent for various American and British investment firms, notably the British Dominions Land Settlement Corporation Limited, and the British Alberta Investors Limited. He formed his own H.M.E. Evans Company in 1919. Evans was actively involved in a wide range of duties and activities. His many public commitments included service with the Edmonton Board of Trade, the Edmonton Board of Public Welfare, the Joint Red Cross and Patriotic Fund, and the Edmonton Golf and Country Club. He served a one year term as Mayor of Edmonton in 1918. Later he acted as a financial advisor to the provincial government. Harry Evans was married for over 55 years to Edith Isabell Gifford of Toronto. He and his family lived in the impressive "Sylvancroft" mansion, which was an integral part of the city social scene for many years. The financial legacy which he created still survives today as the H.M.E. Evans and Company Limited. Mr. Evans died at the age of 97, in 1973.