David Evans
Occupation: Mayor of Lehi, Utah County Territorial Legislator, Colonel of
Militia, Postmaster
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Born: 18 Oct 1804, Cecil County, Maryland
Baptized: 6 Apr 1833
Ordained a Priest: 11 Apr 1833
Attended School of the Prophets
Ordained an Elder: 21 Jul 1833
Marched with Zion's Camp: 1834, Ohio to Missouri
Ordained to First Quorum of the Seventy: 27 Feb 1835 by Joseph
Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery
Present at Hauns Mill Massacre: 30 Oct 1838
Mission to Iowa, 1841
Married to Barbara Ann Ewell: 23 Nov 1841, Illinois
Set Apart as Bishop: 1842, Nauvoo, Illinois, Eleventh Ward, by the
Prophet Joseph Smith
Mission to Virginia, 1844
Appointed Captain of Pioneer companies by Brigham Young, 1845
Endowed: 30 Jan 1846
Arrived in Salt Lake Valley: 15 Sep 1850
Called to settle in Dry Creek (Lehi), February 1851, by Brigham
Young
Set Apart as Bishop: 1851, Dry Creek Ward by George A. Smith
Elected to be a member of the first Territorial Legislature: Utah
County
Commissioned to Major in the Nauvoo Legion: 11 March 1852, Lehi
District
Sealed to Barbara Ann Ewell: 21 Jun 1852
Appointed Postmaster, 1853
Elected Mayor of Lehi: March 6, 1854, Lehi, Utah
Elected Major of Battalion of Infantry of Lehi: March 11, 1855
Served as Mayor until 1861
Died: 23 Jun 1883, Lehi, Utah, Utah
Buried: 24 Jun 1883, Lehi, Utah, Utah
Height: 6 ft.
Weight: 180 lbs.
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Cause of Death: “General Disability”
History written by: E. Bruce Preece
"Happy is he who remembers his progenitors with pride, who relates with pleasure, to the listener,
the story of the greatness of their deeds, and silently rejoicing sees himself link to the end of this
goodly chain." --Goethe
It is with these thoughts in mind that I remember my great-great grandfather, David Evans, and relate to the reader
of this paper some of the important deeds and experiences of a man whose name is closely identified with the early
history of the church. As an associate of the prophet Joseph Smith, military officer, spiritual leader, missionary,
town-planner, territorial legislator, and patriarch to his family, he deserves to be recognized as a pioneer leader by at
least those people who see themselves "linked to the end of this goodly chain."
When a son was born to Israel and Abigail Evans, in Cecil County, Maryland, October 27, 1804, they chose for him
the Biblical name of David. Soon after the birth of their son, the Evans family sought new opportunity in
Pennsylvania, considered at that time as part of the new nation's frontier. During his early life in this primitive
region, David developed the spiritual and physical ruggedness which prepared him for the trials and challenges that
were to follow on other frontiers.
Conversion and Missionary Labors. In 1826 David Evans married Mary Beck and the couple purchased a large
farm in Richland County, Ohio. Not far away in another section of the state, the leaders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints were intensifying proselyting efforts, in order to swell the ranks of the new church
organization. Responding favorably to the message of the gospel, delivered them by the L.D.S. missionaries, David
and Mary were baptized into the church on its third anniversary. Willingness to give their all for the church, the
Evans sold their farm so that David would have sufficient funds to perform missionary labors.
This was the beginning of service to the church as a missionary. David later filled a mission to Iowa in 1841, being
called by the Council of the Twelve for that purpose. In 1844 he went as a missionary to Virginia.
As a result of a revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the School of the Prophets at Kirtland, Ohio in 1832.
The main objective of the school was to prepare the membership of the church to carry the gospel to the world.
David's effectiveness as a missionary was no doubt influenced by his attendance at these class sessions. When the
body of the church later left for Missouri, the leaders of the church placed David in charge of a company of Saints;
most of these Saints were people that he had converted and baptized.
The Call to Leadership. In Kirtland, Joseph Smith heard that hundreds of Saints were experiencing great trials as a
result of expulsion from their homes in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833-34. The prophet organized a group of
some 200 volunteers to march to the aid of these distressed saints. This organization came to be know as Zion's
Camp. David Evans volunteered to make the 1,000 mile march with the other members of this armed body. Even
though Zion's Camp failed in its mission, the experiences gained from the march provided the participants with
knowledge which proved valuable in the exodus from Nauvoo to the Rocky Mountains..
From among those willing to make the march, the Lord chose His First Quorum of Twelve Apostles and First
Council of Seventy. Joseph Smith and his two counselors Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery set apart David
Evans as a member of this First Council of Seventy on February 27, 1835.
Ten years later, in 1845, when it became apparent that the church would need to move to the west, Brigham Young
appointed David as a captain of one of the pioneer companies of Saints. The training which David Evans received
on the Zion's Camp march equipped him well for this particular assignment.
Persecutions in Missouri. Along with other faithful Ohio Saints, David heeded the admonition of the church leaders
to move his family to Missouri during the middle 1830's. Like most of the Saints in this area, the Evans' suffered
persecution at the hands of lawless mobs. Probably the best known example of brutality and murder in Missouri
occurred at Haun's Mill on Tuesday, October 30, 1838. The following is taken from Joseph Young's narrative of
the massacre.
It was about 4:00 o'clock, while sitting in my cabin, with by babe in my arms, and my wife standing
by my side, the door being open, I cast my eyes on the opposite bank of Shoal Creek and saw a
large company of armed men, on horses, directing their course towards the mill with all possible
speed. As they advanced through the scattering trees that stood on the edge of the prairie they
seemed to form themselves into a three square position, forming a vanguard in front.
At this moment David Evans, seeing the superiority of their numbers, (there being 240 of them,
according to their own account), swung his hat, and cried for peace. This not being heeded they
continued to advance...
During the ensuing scene of bloodshed, eighteen or nineteen lives were snuffed out. Hiding in the brush, David's
wife and family escaped without harm.
On another occasion, David Evans was preaching in the home of a man named Charles Jameson who he had
converted in Ohio several years previous. At the close of the meeting ten men intruded with the intent of tarring and
feathering David. At this point Charles stepped between his good friend and the mob saying, "the first man that
lays a hand on David Evans will have to walk over the body of Charles Jameson." The mob retreated fearfully.
Throughout the winter of 1838-39 such lawlessness continued among the scattered settlements of Mormons in
northern Missouri. Unable to endure terrible treatment further, the Saints again abandoned their homes and property
to the mobs and located themselves in the western part of Illinois.
Experiences in Illinois. Leaving behind their home in Missouri, the Evans family settled in Adams County, Illinois,
where David actively engaged in missionary work among the local settlers. However, when death took his wife
Mary, David moved to Nauvoo. On the twenty-third of November, 1841, David married my great-great
grandmother, Barbara Ann Ewell, in Nauvoo. She was a girl whom he had converted and baptized in Ray County,
Missouri, four years previously.
For the next forty-two years, Barbara Evans endured the trials and hardships required of the wife of a pioneer leader.
She deserves to be revered as a chosen and faithful daughter of Israel, especially by those who descend from the
fifteen children she bore. At the age of seventy-five, she offered this fervent testimony, "I feel thankful through all
the meandering and shifting scenes of mortal life that I have been preserved thus far in the faith of the gospel, and
can testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God."
Several new opportunities and experiences came to David Evans during his five years residence in Nauvoo. When
Joseph Smith organized the city into ecclesiastical units, David became the bishop of the South side Eleventh Ward.
He received his ordination under the hands of the Prophet on August 20, 1842. At one time Bishop Evans had to
deal with a member of his ward who worked with witches devining rods and burning boards used for healing the
sick. At another time he entertained Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball who visited the ward to solemnize a
marriage.
Those who are acquainted with the Nauvoo period of Church History know that many outward as well as underlying problems led to the martyrdom of the Prophet and the expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo. However, the
Nauvoo Expositor affair brought the trouble to a head. Shortly after this disturbance, Joseph Smith organized
delegates and sent them into the surrounding towns and villages to explain the situation in Nauvoo was under
control and that mob action was uncalled for. Along with several other brethren, Bishop Evans filled one of these
peace-making assignments. As history records, all efforts to avert trouble failed and the Prophet Joseph Smith fell
martyr to the cause of the gospel.
The death of their leader came as a blow to the Saints, but at the same time most of the church members felt that
God had not forsaken them. Bishop Evans' wife expressed her feeling this way.
I saw Joseph and Hyrum Smith after their martyrdom. It was a solemn day among the Saints. We
felt like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, but the Lord had another shepherd to lead his Saints.
It was Brigham Young. I was present the day he was set apart to lead the church. No Saint could
dispute it, for it did seem when he spoke as though it was Joseph's own voice that was addressing
us. I never shall forget that day nor how the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the people; it
came so mild, yet so penetrating that every heart beat with joy to know we had a man of God to
lead the Saints. Oh, what a consolation it was to know we were not forgotten.
Along with other officers of the church, David Evans received a sustaining vote from the membership of the church
as Bishop of the Eleventh Ward at the October General Conference of the church following the martyrdom of
Joseph Smith.
Expulsion from Nauvoo. As it became apparent that their beloved city of Nauvoo would have to be forsaken, the
Saints made preparations for the trek west. Barbara Evans gave this account.
I remained in Illinois until the exodus from that state, which was in 1846. Some of the Saints had
neither teams nor wagon. The brethren united together and made wagons for those that had none;
by that means all had wagons, but not teams, and we were obliged to get away, as the mob was
howling around, and Nauvoo was threatened. So my husband, being bishop of the Eleventh Ward,
concluded to take the teams they had and move as many as they could. We made a start with what
teams we had, crossed the Mississippi River, went a day's journey, and set the families down on
the prairie. The next day they took the teams and brought the rest.
When the Saints reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, the United States government asked them for soldiers to fight in the
war in Mexico. Anxious to be a member of the Mormon Battalion, the Evans' eighteen year old son, Israel, got into
line with the intention of joining up. The recruiting officer turned him down as being too small. Unwilling to accept
this reason as valid, young Israel made his way to the other end of the line and stood on a tree stump behind a friend.
This time the recruiting officer signed him up as a member of Company B. Many years later he was asked why he
was so eager to enlist. He answered, "my enlistment saved some man with a family and if I had stayed my father
might have been compelled to go. That would have been a tragedy."
Staying in Missouri from 1847-50 to prepare for the journey west, David Evans, at the head of fifty-four wagons,
including his own, set out for Salt Lake valley on June 15, 1850 from Kanesville, Iowa. Three months to the day,
the company set foot in the city of Salt Lake.
The stay in Salt Lake valley proved to be a short duration for the David Evans family. In February, 1851, Brigham
Young called David to take charge of the little colony that had settled at Dry Creek in Utah Valley. Packing up their
belongings in mid-winter, the family headed for the area located thirty-two miles to the south.
I, Lehi, Having Been Born of Goodly Pioneers. It would be interesting to know the thoughts of David Evans as
the wagon entered the small encampment that cold February day. Would this settlement be a temporary one like
those in Ohio? Would persecutions come to them as they did in Missouri? Or would they be allowed to build a
beautiful city only to abandon it as they did in Nauvoo? Is it possible that David envisioned a permanent and
prosperous city, ever growing from the sturdy foundations that he helped to build?
Shortly after the arrival of the Evans family, Apostle George A. Smith visited the little colony and organized Dry
Creek Ward of the church. David Evans was appointed Bishop. In this capacity he faithfully performed his duties
for twenty-eight years.
For awhile a ward organization sufficed in taking care of civil and ecclesiastical demands. Later on the citizens felt
that a town should be properly organized and named. Accordingly, early in 1852, David Evans, elected member of
the first territorial legislature for Utah County, presented a petition to the legislature requesting that Dry Creek be
incorporated. With the granting of this petition came also the christening of Lehi, the sixth city in Utah to be
incorporated.
Knowing well that a city must grow out of more than mere legislative action, the Lehi citizens considered their most
important needs. The town desperately required more water. Dry creek was just what its name implied. In
February of 1852, Bishop Evans steered a bill through the territorial legislature granting to the people of Lehi one
third of the waters of American Fork Creek.
Under the direction of David Evans, the mammoth task of digging a canal the seven miles from American Fork
Creek to Lehi began. With poor tools, the job of digging in the cobblestone formation was difficult. Poorly fed and
clothed, the workers would have abandoned the project except for the "good humor and tact of their leader." Water
began pouring into Lehi before the summer's end, insuring future growth and development of the city.
Not so long out of Nauvoo that they couldn't remember the beautiful physical arrangement and order of that city, the
Lehi settlers wanted as much for their own community. Lack of proper instruments did not prevent them from
having their wish granted. Bishop Evans with the aid of a pocket compass, carpenter's square, and tape line, laid out
the city in blocks and lots.
Passing through Lehi in May of 1854 on a return trip from making a peace treaty with the Ute war chief Walker,
Brigham Young advised the people of Lehi to build a fort. Following this counsel, Bishop Evans supervised the
construction of a fort and stationed guards at all gates for protection against marauding Indians. This guard lasted
for two years. It must have been effective since the very night that it stopped, an Indian broke into the fort and stole
two of the best horses.
Early in 1853, Lehi made communication with the outside world when the citizens established a post office in the
community. They appointed David Evans as Postmaster with an office conveniently located in one part of his home.
The town residents rejoiced when, in 1870, Lehi broadened its communication facilities with the initiation of the
telegraph. Until it was discontinued two years later, due to financial troubles, Bishop Evans' residence house the
telegraph. His daughter Barbara operated the telegraph. She employed the special training that she had learned in
Lehi and Farmington.
On March 6, 1854, the second municipal election in Lehi was held with David Evans winning the Mayor's Post
unopposed. He served two successive later terms in this position. In addition, David Evans later belonged to the
city council and was made judge of elections.
Industry and Business Enterprises. Although business and industry played lesser roles in the establishment of
communities in the early history of Utah, David Evans became involved with a number of different enterprises.
Soon after arriving in Lehi, David took advice from Brigham Young and engaged in home manufacturing ventures,
as evidenced by the following article which appeared in the Deseret News on January 10, 1852.
Capt. David Evans, Representative from Utah county, has made his appearance in the
Representatives' Hall, clad in his own family manufactured habiliments, worthy the imitation of a
nabob. We understand his wife cut and made his garments as well as spun and wove the cloth.
Mrs. Evans is worthy to stand by the side of the lady in the buckskin sack, whose name will be
forthcoming by and by. Legislators, what say you for home productions?
With two partners, David began operating a threshing machine and fanning mill in the summer of 1854. Although
the machines were crude in operation, the settlers appreciated any mechanical help they could get to help harvest
their crops. Several years later David and Canute Peterson built a small tannery in Lehi. The townspeople found
many uses for the leather produced by the workman, Jonas Holdsworth, who had learned the trade in England. The
tannery operated until 1870.
The first cooperative store in Utah came about as a result of an idea brought to Lehi from England from Bishop
Evans' son, Israel. Fresh home from a mission Israel felt that an experiment he had studied while on a mission could
be practiced profitably by the people of Lehi. The project, called Lehi Union Exchange was launched in 1868, with
David elected as the first president. The enterprise met with immediate success and after six months of business
paid a dividend of $28 per share. The Lehi business later became linked with Zion's Cooperative Mercantile
Institution (ZCMI) in Salt Lake City. The latter business was organized in 1869.
The success of several cooperatives throughout Utah spurred Brigham Young to the organization of his longdreamed United Order. Under the Order, the whole community would be working and sharing alike. At a mass
meeting held in April, 1874, Provo voted to live within the United Order, with A. O. Smoot elected as president.
David Evans served as one of the directors. The Order failed in all of the more populated centers but succeeded
temporarily in the rural towns of central and southern Utah.
Military Activities. Very early in the history of Utah, a territorial militia, known as the Nauvoo Legion was
organized with military districts in each settlement. Lehi District comprised all of Utah County North to Provo.
Brigham Young commissioned David Evans a Major with the Legion on March 11, 1852.
In the summer of 1857, President James Buchanan ordered United States troops under the command of Sidney
Johnson to Utah to put down an alleged rebellion. To brace the various settlements against this outside intrusion,
General Daniel H. Wells, commander of the militia ordered each district to make ready. Major Evans assumed
command of the Lehi District. At first the Mormons decided to resist the army at all costs. This plan however, gave
way to one of evacuation of the people north of Provo to southern areas. Lehi played a major role in assisting
thousands of refugees along the way.
Fortunately open warfare between the Saints and the army did not result due to negotiations between opposing
factions. During the summer of 1858, the dislocated Saints returned to their homes. The army stationed just
eighteen miles from Lehi at Camp Floyd seemed at first to pose a threat to settlers. However, the military
installation proved to be an economic blessing in disguise to Lehi since it furnished Lehi with many badly-needed
articles in exchange for farm produce. This trade continued until the abandonment of the camp in 1861 at the time
of the outbreak of the Civil War. Lehi obtained a large share of the materials and equipment from the camp which
went for sale at this time. In company with George A. Smith, David Evans visited the camp in 1861 for the purpose
of purchasing supplies.
Explorations. Various duties and responsibilities kept David Evans tied pretty close to his beloved Lehi most of the
time. However, occasionally, at the request of Brigham Young, David headed exploration parties throughout the
territory of Utah.
One such venture took place in 1853 when Brigham Young sent David to the Southwest in search of a fertile
country which Brigham felt would support 500,000 people. David failed to find the region described. Brigham
Young felt that David had not penetrated far enough into the interior, and in March, 1858, he sent other parties to
make more extensive explorations. The parties found no such place for habitation for a multitude of people as
President Young had hoped for, but confirmed the correctness of Bishop Evans' previous report.
On May 22, 1855, under the authority of the First Presidency of the Church, David Evans led an exploration party to
White Mountain (Nevada) to find a suitable settling place for the Saints and to open up a mission to the Indians.
James Harwood, a member of the party recorded the following:
A tribe of Indians camped with us, made themselves quite at home, and enjoyed our rations
exceedingly. After a few days, the Bishop took a small party of men and explored the White
Mountain country. After being at the spring about a month, we received orders from Church
headquarters to abandon the idea of making a settlement and to return home. The Indians were
quite disappointed at our departure.
Following orders, the party returned to Lehi on July 17, 1855.
In April of 1857, President Brigham Young and a caravan of 142 people, including David Evans and Ann, one of his
plural wives, explored the country to the north. The company reached the Mormon settlement and Indian mission at
Fort Lemhi, Idaho, on the Salmon River on May 8. The group returned to Utah again on May 26. Due to Indian
hostilities this Indian mission was closed in the Spring of 1858.
Family Life. Entering the patriarchal order of marriage, David Evans married seven wives and fathered forty-one
children. Even though many responsibilities made demands on the time and energies of Bishop Evans, still he found
time for his family. As a member of the legislature, he wrote this letter to his wife Barbara.
Great Salt Lake City
December 30, 1856
Dear Companion:
I take this opportunity of writing to you to let you know that I am well, and enjoying myself every day as either
Brother Brigham or Brother Heber and the twelve are with us almost every day--preach to us the principles of the
Reformation and the unsearchable riches of Jesus, and the mysteries of the Kingdom.
We feast here every day, and the fire of God is burning in our hearts, and we have good times here in the midst of
blessings. I think of my family, and pray for you daily that the Reformation may sink deep into each of your hearts,
and the Lord bless you all with understanding hearts that you may understand some of the things that are coming
upon the earth, and also upon the Saints if they repent not.
When I come home I shall endeavor to proceed further in setting my family in order that the fire of the Lord may be
kindled in every heart in my house and round about it, and that our habitation may be a habitation of health and
peace, and wickedness and evil spirits have no place with us, and not only with us but in our City, that our City even
the city of Lehi may be cleansed with the spirit of judgment and burning, and every soul therein that will not
worship the Lord, our God, shall die.
Dear wives and children, remember this, the admonition of your husband and father and act accordingly, and the
Lord will bless you. Read this to Brother Able and Brother Thomas, and all my family, and all who may wish to
hear from me, for the day to trifle with this people is gone by, and they must repent or be damned.
Come down in about two weeks from New Year's Day, and stay until I return.
I remain as ever your husband in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.
(Signed) David Evans
Though the message of this letter is somewhat stern, it manifests the spirit of a man's concern for the spiritual
welfare of his family during the Reformation period in Utah.
The following account from a member of Johnson's army, Lt. Jesse A. Gove who visited the Evans family in June of
1858, gives us a glimpse into the Bishop's home life.
Bishop Evans was our host; he is the highest church dignitary in the place and keeps a sort of
hotel. The bishop is a corpulent and quite sociable old man. A multitude of children were running
about the house; they were very well behaved, made no noise, kept out of the way and bore a very
retiring disposition; they took care of each other, the elder ones acting as matrons to their younger
relatives.
It seems that Bishop Evans' well-ordered home made an impression on the lieutenant.
Mrs. C. E. Peterson tells the story of how one of David Evans' sons learned a valuable lesson from his father. Mrs.
Peterson, the granddaughter of David Evans, says that her grandfather had assigned some work for his sons Edwin
and Azer to do. Edwin worked longer than Azer and expected more pay for his work. When it came time to settle
up, Grandfather Evans gave the two boys equal amounts of money. Edwin expressed anger at his brother.
Grandfather Evans then without speaking a word took Edwin's money and gave it to his brother Azer. Edwin
received a valuable lesson that lasted throughout his life. He says, "Never act in anger or in haste." Remembering
this incident, Edwin grew up to be one of Utah's finest artists and art teachers.
Death and Funeral. Following a long and eventful life, David Evans passed away on June 23, 1883 as he neared
his eightieth birthday. From near and far came people to pay their respects to the pioneer colonizer. Family and
friends alike mourned their loss. President Woodruff and other church officials accompanied a special mourning
train from Salt Lake City to attend and speak at the funeral. The funeral procession consisted of 115 vehicles, the
largest line ever formed in Lehi.
"Only in a thoughtless temper would an intelligent man declare that it mattered nothing to him who were his
ancestors, nor what his relationship might be to those coming after him." -- Henry Kendall
LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 3, p.627
Evans, David, Bishop of Lehi, Utah county, Utah, from 1852 to 1879, was born Oct. 27, 1804, in Cecil county,
Maryland, the son of Israel and Abigail Evans. His early training in life was on the frontiers in Pennsylvania. His
rugged character qualified him for the events which were to follow. In 1826 he married Mary Beck and moved to
Richland county, Ohio. Here he bought and opened up a new farm, where he lived until he was baptized into the
ChurCh of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 6, 1833. On the 11th of the same month he was ordained a Priest
and immediately commenced traveling and preaching, selling his farm to enable him to perform his missionary
labors. Being ordained an Elder July 21, 1833, he went with Zion's Camp from Ohio to Missouri in 1834, and
received ordination to the first quorum of Seventy under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon,
April 29, 1835. He attended the "School of the Prophets" in Kirtland, and then left Ohio for Missouri in charge of a
company of saints, most of whom he had baptized himself. Here he bought land and again made a home. He was
with the Saints through all their persecutions in Missouri, among which was the terrible massacre at Haun's Mill. In
December, 1828, he and family were compelled to flee from the State of Missouri, leaving all their property behind.
He then went to Adams county, Illinois, and commenced preaching and baptizing many. He lost his wife, after
which he moved to Nauvoo and married Barbara Ann Ewell in November, 1841. In 1842 when Nauvoo was
organized into Wards he was ordained Bishop of the Eleventh Ward. [p.628] He remained in Nauvoo until the Saints
were driven out, when he was appointed captain of a company to cross the plains, and arrived in the Valley Sept. 15,
1850. He moved to Lehi the following February, over which place he was appointed to preside as Bishop, the duties
of which he faithfully performed for twenty-eight years. He tendered his resignation on account of old age and
failing health, Aug. 24, 1879. Bro. Evans located the city of Lehi and laid it off into blocks and lots with a pocket
compass, tape line, and square. He was elected to the first legislature of Utah and acted for many years as a member
of that body. He was colonel of militia, served as major of the Lehi Military District several terms and was mayor of
Lehi city three terms. He married Climena Gibson in 1854, Rebecca Coleman in 1856, and Christina Holm in 1861,
was the father of forty-one children and a good provider for all his family. His death occurred June 23, 1883, and the
following day a special train was dispatched from Salt Lake City, which brought President Wilford Woodruff,
Bishop Edward Hunter and several other leading men to attend the funeral. The cortege to the cemetery was the
largest ever formed in Lehi, 115 vehicles being in line. Bishop Evans was remarkable for his great industry, frugality
and charity to the poor, his public spiritness and broad self-acquired education.
Timeline on David Evans from the DavidEvans.org website
Maryland (1804 to Abt 1810)
4 Oct 1802Israel Evans and Abigail Alexander, David Evans' parents, marry in
Cecil County, Maryland.
3 Aug 1803Eliza Evans, David's older sister, is born in Cecil County, Maryland.
27 Oct 1804David Evans is born in Cecil County, Maryland.
Pennsylvania (Abt 1810 to 1826)
Abt 1810Israel Evans' family moves near Spruce Creek, Huntingdon County,
Pennsylvania. Israel builds a one-room log structure that he operates
as a tavern.
29 May 1811Jesse Evans, David's younger brother, is born near Spruce Creek,
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
26 May 1814Nancy Evans, David's younger sister, is born near Spruce Creek,
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
1823Israel Evans, David's youngest brother, is born, possibly in Centre Hall,
Centre County, Pennsylvania.
25 Jul 1826David Evans marries Mary Beck, daughter of Henry and Margaret Beck
who reside about 10 miles southeast of Spruce Creek in Huntingdon.
Ohio (1826 to 1836)
1826David and Mary Evans move 160 miles west to Hanoverton Township,
Columbiana County, Ohio.
16 Apr 1827Eliza Jane Evans, David's first child, is born in Hanoverton Township,
Columbiana County, Ohio.
2 Oct 1828Israel Evans, David's second child, is born in Hanoverton Township,
Columbiana County, Ohio.
Bet 1828-1830David Evans' family moves 100 miles further west to Worthington
Township, Richland County, Ohio where David purchased and farmed a
tract of public land.
25 Oct 1830Henry Evans, David's third child, is born in Worthington Township,
Richland County, Ohio.
2 Sep 1832Mary Ann Evans, David's fourth child, is born in Worthington Township,
Richland County, Ohio.
6 Apr 1833Thomas Tripp teaches David and Mary Evans about the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and they are baptized.
11 Apr 1833Thomas Tripp ordains David a Priest in the LDS Church.
May 1833David is asked to serve a mission to the local area. He may have sold
his farm to help finance some of his missionary labors. During this
time, the family may have resided in Perry, Richland County, Ohio.
21 Jul 1833Thomas Tripp ordains David an Elder in the LDS Church.
Sep 1833David completes his mission for the season. He later wrote of baptizing
74 people in 1833 and 30 in one day.
Feb-May 1834David makes a journey back to Columbiana County, Ohio and
continues his mission, preaching in Hanoverton and "on the Sandy
Plains."
May 1834David returns to Perry, Columbiana County, Ohio and joins Zion's
Camp. He travels with the camp to Independence, Jackson County,
Missouri with the intent of restoring the church members there to their
properties from which they had been forced to abandon.
Aug 1834David returns to Perry, Columbiana County, Ohio after Zion's Camp
had been disbanded.
Nov 1834-Jan 1835David attends the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, Geauga County,
Ohio where Joseph Smith presents the Lectures on Faith, Sidney
Rigdon teaches grammar and Frederick G. Williams and William E.
McLellan teach various other secular and religious items.
21 Jan 1835Margaret Evans, David's fifth child, is born in Richland County, Ohio,
possibly near Perry.
28 Feb 1835Joseph Smith ordains David a Seventy in the First Quorum of the
Seventy in the LDS Church.
Feb-Apr 1835David preaches as a missionary in Richland County, Ohio. He mentions
Perry, stating there are 36 members there and that he is having
success.
May-Sep 1835David preaches as a missionary in Columbiana County, Ohio. He
mentions Georgetown, Hanover and Manerva as some of the locations
where he has preached.
Sep 1835A call is made by Joseph Smith for a number of men to relocate their
families to Missouri the following spring.
Nov 1835-Jan 1836David attends the School of the Prophets in Kirtland where he is taught
by Joseph Smith and others.
Missouri (1836 to 1839)
Apr 1836David Evans' family and a number of other families around the Perry,
Richland County Ohio area move over 500 miles west to Caldwell
County, Missouri with David called as their captain. Some of the
families, including David's settle near Haun's Mill on Shoal Creek in the
eastern part of the county. David built a home about a mile and a half
north of the mill.
27 Aug 1836Margaret Evans, David's 19-month-old daughter dies near Haun's Mill,
Caldwell County, Missouri.
Summer 1837David preaches as a missionary in Ray County, Missouri and
surrounding areas.
10 Jun 1837David baptizes Barbara Ann Ewell in Richmond, Ray County, Missouri.
He had previously in 1837 baptized her mother and later baptized her
father and some siblings.
Summer 1838As the presiding elder at Haun's Mill, David baptizes, ordains and
blesses a number of people in the area around Haun's Mill.
21 Aug 1838Araminta Evans, David's sixth child, is born near Haun's Mill, Caldwell
County, Missouri.
1 Oct 1838Araminta Evans, David's one-month-old baby daughter dies near
Haun's Mill, Caldwell County, Missouri.
30 Oct 1838A mob of 240 men approach Haun's Mill from the north, ignore the
pleas of David Evans for "Quarters" and proceed to kill 18 men and
boys some of whom had taken refuge in an unfinished blacksmith
shop.
Nov 1838Alma Smith, who had been severely wounded in the raid on the mill,
recuperated at the home of David Evans, after he had been brought
there by his mother, Amanda Smith.
Illinois (1839 to 1846)
Feb 1839David Evans' family along with many others around Haun's Mill move
125 miles east to Quincy, Adams County, Illinois. David's family
possibly settles southeast of Quincy in Payson, Adams County, Illinois.
12 Jan 1840Emma Evans, David's seventh child, is born in Adams County, Illinois
(most likely in Payson). At this time, the family lived in a log house and
used the wagon boxes to sleep in.
12 Jan 1840David Evans writes from Payson, Adams County, Illinois that he has
baptized 31 people in Payson in his missionary proselyting.
Nov 1840David preaches near Union County, Illinois in the southern tip of Illinois
and baptizes the Abraham Hunsaker family.
20 Jun 1841Mary Evans, David's wife dies in Payson, Adams County, Illinois from
"exposure."
7 Oct 1841David is called on a mission to Augusta, Des Moines County, Iowa by
the Council of the Twelve. Augusta is 15 miles north across the
Mississippi River from Nauvoo.
23 Nov 1841David Evans marries Barbara Ann Ewell, daughter of Pleasant and
Babara Ewell, in Hancock County, Illinois. Barbara Ann is referred to in
the marriage license and in some other references as Ann. Ann and her
parents were earlier converts baptized by David Evans in Missouri.
Ann's mother and two sisters had died in the prior year and Ann was
caring for her father and remaining siblings at home
20 Aug 1842David is called by the Nauvoo High Council as Bishop of the Nauvoo
Eleventh Ward, which included the area southeast of the city.
Sep 1842David Evans' family moves 3 miles southeast of Nauvoo where David
had purchased a 10-acre farm.
20 Oct 1842Martha Evans, David's eigth child and first with Ann, is born near
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.
4 Dec 1842Nauvoo High Council ordains David Evans as Bishop of the Nauvoo
Eleventh Ward.
Dec 1842-1844As Bishop, David presides over a Bishops court of Benjamin Hoyt and
baptizes a number of people in the area.
15 Apr 1844David, along with Pleasant Ewell and others are called on a mission by
the Council of the Twelve to preach in Virginia and present before the
people "General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the General
Government" and to seek electors who would vote for Joseph Smith as
President of the United States.
21 Apr 1844Amanda Evans, David's ninth child and second with Ann, is born in
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois.
16 Jun 1844David was appointed at a public meeting in Nauvoo to go to the Rocky
Run precinct with Anson Call, William E. Horner and Nicholas Boscow to
lay a true statement of the facts, about the Nauvoo Expositor, etc.,
before the public. Others were appointed to do the same in other
precincts around Hancock County, Illinois.
18 Jun 1844David Evans, Anson Call and William E. Horner visited with a group of
twenty of thirty men in Rocky Run precinct. They communicated to the
people that Joseph Smith was willing to be tried anywhere but in
Missouri and that Judge Thomas had advised Joseph to enter into
bonds to be tried before the circuit court to allay the excited feelings of
the people. The gathering rejected the idea and responded that they
would gather enough men to take Joseph and try him as they wished.
19 Jun 1844David Evans, Anson Call and William E. Horner swore and affidavit
before Aaron Johnson describing there activities in Rocky Run precinct.
They affidavits from each precinct were given to the Governor of
Illinois, Thomas Ford, in a plea for help. Joseph Smith and Hyrum
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Smith were murdered 8 days later by a mob after giving themselves up
and being jailed in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois.
1844David Evans is sustained as Bishop of the Nauvoo Eleventh Ward at the
General Conference of the LDS Church. Brigham Young and other
church leaders were also sustained at this conference.
1844David Evans is called from the High Priests Quorum by Brigham Young
with 84 other high priests to serve a special mission to go abroad in all
the congressional districts of the United States to preside over the
branches of the LDS Church. The men were told this was not to be a
short-term mission, but that they were to take their families, settle,
and build up stakes like the Nauvoo stake.
1845Brigham Young and others discuss the propriety of settling another
country.
1845David Evans presides at a conference in Franklin, Oakland County,
Michigan consisting of members from Oakland, Macomb, Livingston,
Ingham, Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe Counties, all in southeast
Michigan.
1845David Evans is appointed one of 25 captains of a hundred for
companies preparing for the exodus west which had been discussed at
the just concluded general conference.
1845Each Company of one hundred had established one or more wagon
shops and all were engaged in getting ready for the departure
westward.
1846Amanda Evans, David's tenth child and third with Ann, is born in
Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois.
1846David receives his LDS temple endowment in the Nauvoo Temple.
1846David sends horses, wagons, plows and wheat seed from Nauvoo to
Brigham Young's advance company camped on the Chariton River in
Appanoose County, Iowa. This advance company left Nauvoo in Feb
1846.
Iowa (1846 to 1847)
20 Apr 1846David Evans' company of pioneers leaves Nauvoo, due to increasing
pressure from unruly citizens, even though the company did not have
enough oxen for all of the wagons. The oxen were used to move part
of the company to a camp 15 miles west near Farmington, Van Buren
County, Iowa and then were taken back to Nauvoo to move the
remainder of the company to the new camp.
May 1846Many of the men in the company get work with the settlers in the area
breaking priarie for farms and splitting rails for fencing. The men take
oxen and milk cows for payment.
Jul 1846Some in the company proceed on to Garden Grove, Decatur County,
Iowa with some of the available oxen. It may have been here that
some of the men in the David Evans' company learned of the request
for volunteers to join the Mormon Battalion. Those that volunteered
then travelled to Winter Quarters.
13 Jul 1846Isreal Evans, David's second child, is enlisted in Company B of the
Mormon Battalion, along with a few other men from David Evans'
company.
19 Aug 1846Barnet Manzer visits Brigham Young at Winter Quarters on behalf of
the David Evans Company, most of which was camped near
Farmington, Van Buren County, Iowa. Brigham counsels the company
to try to reach Mount Pisgah, open farms and prepare for later travel.
Late Fall 1846David Evans' company begins travelling towards Council Bluffs, but
because of the cold they stop and decid to spend the winter on the
headwaters of the Nodaway River in Adair County, Iowa 50 miles west
of Mount Pisgah. Here they built log huts and put up hay for the
animals.
Feb 1847David Evans' company is forced to abandon the Nodaway river camp
because provisions had run low. They decide to head south to the
northern settlements of Missouri following a path between the
Nodaway and One-Hundred-Two Rivers.
Abt 24 Feb 1847David Evans' company camps at "Starvation Creek" after suffering
from cold and hunger and becoming lost in the snow. To survive, they
eat many of the oxen that have become exhausted.
Missouri (1847 to 1850)
1 Mar 1847David Evans' company arrives in the area of Maryville, Nodaway
County, Missouri after sending an advance party with the best
remaining oxen to obtain provisions and oxen from settlers in Missouri.
David Evans' family takes up residence in an abandoned log house
without windows or doors.
7 Apr 1847Joseph Evans, David's eleventh child and fourth with Ann, is born in
Nodaway County, Missouri (probably in Maryville.)
16 Jul 1847Israel Evans, David's second child, is discharged from the Mormon
Battalion in San Diego, California.
Aug 1848Eliza Jane Evans, David's first child, marries Ira Nathaniel Hinckley in
Missouri (possibly in Platte County.)
28 Sep 1848Israel Evans, David's second child, arrives in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake
County, Utah after having worked at Sutters Fort near Sacramento,
California the past summer.
27 Apr 1849Sarah Evans, David's twelth child and fifth with Ann, is born in
Nodaway County, Missouri (probably in Maryville.)
1 Jun 1849Israel Evans, David's first child, marries Matilda Thomas in Salt Lake
City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
16 Jun 1849Eliza Jane Hinckley, David's first grandchild, is born to Ira and Eliza
Jane (Evans) Hinckley in Estelle Mills, Platte County, Missouri.
Oct 1849Mary Ann Evans, David's fourth child, marries John Henry Glines in
Missouri.
6 May 1850Susannah Evans, David's thirteenth child and sixth with Ann, is born in
Nodaway County, Missouri (probably in Maryville.)
15 May 1850David Evans' family and a number of others from the David Evans
Company leave Nodaway County, Missouri and the surounding areas
for Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 90 miles northwest, to
organize themselves to travel to Utah.
Jun 1850David Evans is appointed captain of a company of 50 wagons in Council
Bluffs by Orson Hyde as the Tenth Wagon Company of 1850.
Nebraska & Wyoming (1850)
15 Jun 1850David Evans Company leaves Council Bluffs for Salt Lake City, 900
miles west.
27 Jun 1850Eliza Jane (Evans) Hinckley, David's first child, dies from cholera near
near the Platte River in Dodge or Colfax County, Nebraska.
Utah (1850 to 1883)
15 Sep 1850David Evans Company arrives through Parley's Canyon into Salt Lake
City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Nov 1850Israel Evans, David's second child, settles at Sulphur Springs, Utah
County, Utah.
15 Feb 1851David Evans is called to preside over the saints at Dry Creek and so
with some other families from the David Evans Company settles on Dry
Creek, 2 miles north of Sulphur Springs, in what is called the Dry Creek
settlement or Evansville. He takes up land west of of the creek and
north of the present rodeo grounds.
Apr 1851David Evans is appointed and ordained Bishop of the newly organized
Dry Creek Ward by George A. Smith.
May 1851David Evans and a crew of men begin digging a ditch from the
American Fork River at the mouth of American Fork canyon sevenmiles to Evansville to provide water for their farms.
Aug 1851The ditch is completed along a route through Cedar Hollow and used to
water the parched crops.
Fall 1851Evansville citizens build build a log building west of Dry Creek north of
where the present railrod tracks cross the creek. The building is used
as a community center and school.
Sep 1851David Evans is elected as a member of the House of Representatives in
the first Legislative Assembly of the newly created Territory of Utah.
Oct 1851David Evans and Shadrach Holdaway set up the first wool machinery in
Utah. David first took charge of running it and then Shadrack took over
the operations. The machinery was set up in Provo, Utah County, Utah.
28 Jan 1852David Evans, Jr., David's fourteenth child and seventh with Ann, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
5 Feb 1852David Evans introduces to the Legislative Assembly an act to
incorporate all the area west to the Jordan River and south to Utah
Lake from a point three miles north of the southeast corner of
Evansville as the City of Lehi.
18 Feb 1852David Evans introduces to the Legislative Assembly an act to grant
one-third of the waters of American Fork creek for use by the Dry
Creek settlement.
Spring 1852David Evans completes his term as representative in the Legislative
Assembly.
18 Oct 1852David Evans is sealed to Sarah Thornton Coleman, widow of Prime
Coleman and daughter of William and Elizabeth Thornton, for time only
at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Sarah was also sealed at this time to Prime Coleman, her first
husband, for eternity with David acting as proxy.
29 Jan 1853David Evans is elected as an Alderman of the City of Lehi at an election
held in the log schoolhouse. Silas P. Barnes is elected Mayor.
Spring 1853David Evans is appointed Postmaster of the City of Lehi using a small
room in his home as the post office.
8 Jul 1853Hyrum Evans, David's fifteenth child and eighth with Ann, is born in
Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
Jul-Aug 1853David Evans moves his log home together with other Lehi residents
into a fort centered at the present intersection of First South and
Second West in response to direction from George A. Smith to gather
in forts as a means of protection from the Indian raids. Earlier in the
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year, an Indian had been killed and Chief Walkara had incited the local
Indians to violence. The log schoolhouse was moved to the northeast
corner of the fort. David Evans and Abel Evans also direct the building
of a parapet north of the fort.
1853David Evans attends a general conference in Salt Lake City where
Brigham Young warns the saints to "fort up" against the Indians.
1854David Evans is elected as Mayor of the City of Lehi.
1854David Evans is elected as Major of Battalion of Infantry of the Lehi Post
of Utah Military District.
1854David Evans is sealed to Clymenia Shaw, daughter of Benjamin and
Phebe Shaw, for time and eternity at the Endowment House in Salt
Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
1854David Evans visits with Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, who
were returning to Salt Lake after having signed a peace treaty with
Chief Walkara and stopped in Lehi due to a heavy snow. They advise
the citizens to erect a fort wall for protection.
1854David Evans surveys a sixteen-block plat using a pocket compass and
carpenter's square. Lehi citizens begin building a wall around the
perimeter of the plat. The wall surrounds the cabins that had been
moved to form a fort in the fall of 1853.
1854David Evans in partnership with Thomas Karren and Daniel Collett
purchases and operates a threshing machine.
1854Large numbers of grasshoppers infest the fields around the Lehi City
and everywhere else in the settlements destroying crops. Most of the
harvest was complete so not everything was lost.
1854David Evans is sealed to Edna Hinchliff Woods, widow of Edwin Woods
and daughter of Elijah and Hannah Hinchliff, for time (and possibly
eternity) at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County,
Utah.
1855Barbara Ann Evans, David's sixteenth child and ninth with Ann, is born
in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1855David Evans leads a group of men on an exploration for a series of
large fertile valleys that could sustain a large population. Brigham
young was under the impression that this area existed in the
southwestern of the territory. The group explores the valleys west of
present day Fillmore and north and west of present day Delta. The
exploration is known as the White Mountain Mission.
1855David Evans and his White Mountain Mission group arrive back in Salt
Lake City having found only low mountain ranges and desert valleys
and not the fertile valleys hoped for by Brigham Young.
1855David Evans reports that the tithing wheat collected was very small,
due to the grasshopper infestations of the prior seasons.
1855David Evans proposes the building of a Ward meetinghouse. A
committee is appointed and construction begins soon after.
1855Samuel Evans, David's seventeenth child and first with Edna, is born in
Lehi, Utah County, Utah. Samuel dies the same day.
1855Phebe Jane Evans, David's eighteenth child and first with Clymenia, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1855Phebe Jane, David's eighteenth child, dies in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1856David Evans is re-elected is Mayor of Lehi City.
1856Rozilla Evans, David's nineteenth child and tenth with Ann, is born in
Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1856David Evans is elected as a member of the House of Representatives in
the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
18 Nov 1856David Evans is sealed to Rebecca Coleman, daughter of Prime and
Sarah Coleman, for time and eternity at the Endowment House in Salt
Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah. David had been sealed to Sarah
Coleman in 1852.
22 Nov 1856Emma, David's seventh child, marries Prime Coleman, Jr., son of Prime
Coleman and Sarah Thornton Coleman.
26 Dec 1856Henry, David's third child, marries Anna C. M. Bruun.
30 Dec 1856David Evans, in a letter from Salt Lake City, admonishes his family to
live in health and peace, stating that he will endeavor to set his family
in order when he returns from serving in the Legislative Assembly.
Some of David's children may have been critical of Edna and this may
have created some contention.
4 Jan 1857Hannah Evans, David's twentieth child and second with Edna, is born in
Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
14 Jan 1857The Legislative Assembly approves an act for the organization of the
Militia of the Territory of Utah. A board of officers was then appointed
to more fully organize and strengthen the militia.
15 Feb 1857Hannah, David's twentieth child, dies in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
11 Apr 1857David Evans is appointed by Daniel H. Wells to supervise the
organization of the Lehi Military District which was one of thirteen
newly created military districts in the Utah Territory. The district
covered all of Utah County north of Provo City.
24 Apr 1857David and Ann Evans leave on an expidition to the Salmon River to the
north with a group led by Brigham Young.
8 May 1857David and Ann Evans arrive at Fort Limhi with the group of 142 people
led by Brigham Young.
26 May 1857David and Ann Evans return to Lehi from the expidition to the Salmon
River.
1 Aug 1857A letter is sent to David Evans, and to the commanders of each military
district, by Daniel H. Wells informing them of an army from the Eastern
States enroute to invade Utah. The commanders are instructed to keep
their commands ready to march on short notice and to prepare for a
winter campaign.
13 Aug 1857David Evans is instructed to keep one or two platoons of ten men each
out in the mountains on the approaches to the settlements as a corp of
observation. He is also instructed to keep an eye out for locations in
the mountains where grain can be cached and where women and
children can be safe if they are forced to flee.
14 Aug 1857David begins to fit-out and prepare a company of 50 men to carry out
the instructions of Daniel H. Wells.
17 Aug 1857James Evans, David's twenty-first child and second with Clymenia, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
18 Aug 1857The troops ordered from David Evans command are dismissed from
joining Colonel Cummings in Echo canyon with instructions to keep
their fit-out and be prepared to march on short notice.
Sep 1857David Evans is promoted to Colonel in the militia of Utah.
16 Sep 1857David is informed in a letter from Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells
of the governor's proclamation declaring martial law and that David
Evans command would probably not be called this fall. David was also
informed of the intent to desolate the territory, coneal their families,
stock and possessions in the mountains, while the men waylay the
approaching army. David is instructed to secure places in the
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mountains where the approaching army could not find the people, or at
least where they could not easily attack, and to continue to cache
grains and other supplies.
1858Representatives from the Utah Expiditionary force negotiate a plan for
Brigham Young to step down as Governor and Alfred Cummings to take
his place and for the army to camp for a short time west of Lehi in
Cedar Valley.
1858Thousands of people abandon Salt Lake Valley and pass through Lehi
with many staying in the homes of residents including David Evans.
1858George Evans, David's twenty-second child and first with Rebecca, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1858Peace commisioner Isaac Powell from the Utah Expiditionary force
speaks in an open-air mass meeting in front of David Evans home
reading a letter from Colonel Albert S. Johnston stating the army would
be faithful to their duty of peace while in Utah.
1858The army travelled through Salt Lake Valley and sets up camp at the
mouth of West Canyon.
1858Ephraim Evans, David's twenty-third child and eleventh with Ann, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1858The army moves its camp ten miles south near Fairfield and
establishes Camp Floyd.
1858Some of the officers of Johnston's Army who are camped west of Lehi
at Camp Floyd in Cedar Valley, when passing through Lehi, generally
without permission, turn their horses into the enclosures and gardens
of the citizens and ignored the requests of David Evans for
compensation. David Evans finally presents the accounts to General
Johnston and he reimburses the citizens for the tresprasses and states
that it is not his policy to infringe on the citizens.
1858A number of cattle belonging to the army wandered south in blizzard.
Colonel Patrick Conner herded the cattle north around the east shore of
Utah Lake and passed though Lehi late in the evening. David Evans,
after prompting from a spouse, helped Colonel Conner corral the cattle
at David's home and invited him into his home to provide a meal and
bed for the night.
1859David Evans and Edna divorce before this time due to the unbearable
friction she felt between her and some of David's children. Edna moves
to Riverdale, Utah and in May 1859 married William Stimpson.
1859David Evans is admitted as a member of the Deseret Agricultural and
Manufacturing Society by Edward Hunter, president of the society.
1859David Evans is re-elected to a two-year term as mayor of Lehi City.
1859David Evans receives a subpoena to testify in the court of Judge
Cradlebaugh. David, feeling that the truth will not be acceptable to the
court and that he will be coerced through a bench warrant to lie, leaves
the court and goes into hiding in the mountains, occasionally returning
to the valley for short periods when safe.
1859Amanda, David's nineth child, marries William Edwards. David misses
the wedding because his is hiding in the mountains from Judge
Cradlebaugh's court.
1859Martha, David's eighth child, marries William Winn.
1860Edwin Evans, David's twenty-fourth child and third with Clymenia, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
1860Prime Coleman Evans, David's twenty-fifth child and second with
Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
11 Feb 1861David Evans finishes his last term as Mayor of Lehi City having served
four terms from 1854-1861 after serving as Alderman from 18531854.
24 Feb 1861Eleazar Evans, David's twenty-sixth child and twelth with Ann, is born
in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
Apr 1861David Evans voices opposition to enlarging the city due to a lack of
water. His concerns are remedied and the City Council adds additional
blocks to the original surveyed blocks.
4 May 1861David Evans is sealed to Margaret Christine Holm, daughter and Jens
and Margaret Christine Holm, for time and eternity at the Endowment
House in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Jul 1861Johnston's Army closes down Camp Floyd, selling material for a
bargain to area settlers before heading east to participate in the Civil
War.
1 Nov 1861Abigail, David's tenth child, marries Ole Ellingson.
Spring 1862David Evans and Canute Peterson build a small tannery on Dry Creek
at the northwest corner of Third North and First West and had Jonas
Holdsworth operate it.
11 Jun 1862Harriet Coleman Evans, David's twenty-seventh child and third with
Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
29 Jul 1862Hyrum, David's fifteenth child, dies at Pelican Point on the west side of
Utah Lake. He drowned while helping to wash sheep.
22 Sep 1862Mosiah Evans, David's twenty-eighth child and thirteenth with Ann, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
5 May 1863Ephraim, David's twenty-third child, dies in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
29 Nov 1863John Holm Evans, David's twenty-ninth child and first with Christine, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
17 May 1864Mary Evans, David's thirtieth child and fourteenth with Ann, is born in
Lehi Utah County, Utah.
22 Sep 1864Sarah Coleman Evans, David's thirty-first child and fourth with
Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
3 Oct 1864John, David's twenty-ninth child, dies in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
29 Aug 1865Margaret Christine Holm Evans, David's thirty-second child and second
with Christine, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
5 Sep 1865David Evans resigns his position as commander of the Lehi Military
District. His military service in Utah covered 1852-1865. He retired as
a Colonel.
Fall 1865David Evans is elected as a member of the House of Representatives in
the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
Fall 1866David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
26 Apr 1867Jacob Evans, David's thirty-third child and fifteenth with Ann, is born in
Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
30 May 1867Sarah, David's twelth child, marries David Hodge.
Fall 1867The Deseret Telegraph installs a telegraph line into David Evans home.
Fall 1867David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
18 Dec 1867Jane Holm Evans, David's thirty-fourth child and third with Christine, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
10 Jul 1868Rebecca Susannah Coleman Evans, David's thirty-fifth child and fifth
with Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
23 Jul 1868The Lehi Union Exchange begins operations with David Evans as
President.
27 Oct 1868The Lehi Ward Relief Society is organized with Sarah Thornton
Coleman Evans, David's third wife, as president. David Evans presided
at the organization with Eliza R. Snow and Sarah Kimball in
attendance.
Fall 1869David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
11 Dec 1869Ema Jane Coleman Evans, David's thirty-sixth child and sixth with
Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
27 Dec 1869Susannah, David's thirteenth child, marries Isaac Alldredge.
1870The tannery built by David Evans and Canute Peterson is closed.
4 Feb 1870Hannah Holm Evans, David's thirty-seventh child and fourth with
Christine, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
Fall 1870David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
17 Jul 1871David writes a letter to his sister Nancy stating his enjoyment of of the
just completed Fourth of July celebration held in Provo. He also talked
of the visit his brother Israel had made during that time.
Fall 1871David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
1872The Utah Southern railroad line from Salt Lake is completed into Lehi
with a station being built on State Street.
1872The telegraph office in David Evans home is discontinued due to a lack
of business.
24 Jul 1872Martha Ann Coleman Evans, David's thirty-eighth child and seventh
with Rebecca, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
31 Mar 1873Rozilla, David's ? child, marries William Emil Racker.
21 Apr 1873Joseph, David's eleventh child, marries Sarah Jane Casto.
Fall 1873David Evans is re-elected as a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislative Assembly of Utah.
Spring 1874David Evans retires from the Legislative Assembly after serving during
the years 1851-1852, 1856-1858, 1865-1874.
28 Apr 1874David Evans is appointed president of the Lehi United Order by Wilford
Woodruff, Abrham O. Smoot and Angus M.Cannon.
25 Apr 1874Rachel Holm Evans, David's thirty-ninth child and fifth with Christine, is
born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
11 Jun 1874David writes to his sister Eliza stating his gratefulness for his current
abundance and mentions that he feels "age is beginning to crawl on
him."
23 May 1875Ellen Coleman Evans, David's fourtieth child and eighth with Rebecca,
is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
9 Aug 1875Barbara, David's fifteenth child, marries John Pettit Bush.
21 Dec 1876Clara Holm Evans, David's fourty-first and last child and sixth with
Christine, is born in Lehi, Utah County, Utah.
21 Sep 1879David Evans resigns as Bishop of the Lehi Ward due to his age and
failing health.
1880Lehi Union Exchange is sold to the People's Co-op.
15 Jan 1880Edwin, David's ? child, marries Catherine Lewis.
1 Dec 1881David, Jr., David's fourteenth child, marries Leah May Naegle.
20 Apr 1882James, David's ? child, marries Sarah E. Wanlass.
14 Dec 1882Mosiah, David's ? child, marries Catherine Esther Carter.
19 Jun 1883David suffers a paralyzing stoke and is confined to bed.
23 Jun 1883David Evans dies at his home at age 79.
24 Jun 1883A special train is dispatched from Salt Lake City for the funeral of David
Evans. Wilford Woodruff, Edward Hunter and several other leading men
attend and speak at the funeral. David Evans is then buried in the Lehi
Cemetary.