A native of Wales, Evans moved to Wisconsin in 1840 and was educated in Sauk County, Wisconsin. During the American Civil War, he served with the 6th Independent Battery Wisconsin Light Artillery. Conflicts he took part in include the Battle of Island Number Ten, the Siege of Corinth, the Second Battle of Corinth, the Battle of Raymond, the Battle of Jackson, Mississippi, the Battle of Champion Hill, the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, the Siege of Vicksburg and Sherman's March to the Sea.