Henry H. Evans was born on March 9, 1836, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Griffith and Elizabeth Evans. His father was a millwright from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who was traveling with his wife on business when Henry was born. In June 1841, the Evans family moved to Aurora, Illinois. Evans attended public schools and then founded an ice cream and restaurant business. In 1862, he enlisted in the 124th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Union Army for the Civil War. With the unit, he participated in the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and the Siege of Vicksburg. After the latter engagement, he was detached so that he could apply his culinary skills in an army hospital. He was mustered out in 1865 and returned to Aurora to continue in the restaurant business.