Early Life and Education. Evan H. Samlin, also known as Ivan Samlin was born December 17th, 1868, in Randolph, New Jersey. He grew up in Texas, TN, and New York. His ability to adapt as a child and a youth prepared him for professional life and informed his flexibility as a professional. While still in high school, he got membership in the NJFCA All-State Football Team, in which he...