The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-06-27
Sketch of the Life of Bishop
David Evans.

| David Evans was born in Cecil
county, Nd, October 81, 1914. When
a small boy his parents moved to
Pennsylvania, when he remained
until 1926, where he was married to
Mary Beck, and moved to Riehland
county, G.. He bought and opened
up a new farm, where be livea until
he was baptized into the Church Of
Jesus Christ OF Latter-day Saints,
April 6, 1888. On the 1ith OF the
same month ne was ordained
priest, and Immediately commenced
travelling and preaching. selling his
farm to enable him to prosecute his
missionary labors He was ordained
TO the Office of an elder on the 21st
of July Of the same year. In 1884
he went with lions Camp from
Ohio to Missouri with Joseph
Smith, the prophet, for the redemp-I
ton Of Zion, and received his ordin-
alton to the first quorum of seven
ties. under the hands of Joseph
Smith and Sidney Rigdon, April 30,
1885. He attended the School of the
Prophets in Kirkland in the winter
of 1S35s36, and ON May 10th, 1886,
left Ohio for Missouri in charge OF a
company of Saints, most of whom
he baptized himself. He settled on
ShoaI creek, Caldwell county, buying
some land and again m aklng him
self home. He was with the
Saints through all their persecu-
tions, among which was the bar
barous massacre at Haun's mill.
In December he was compelled
to leave the state, withLuJ his
family, which shortly after followed,
leaving all their property behind.
Arriving at Paysou, Adams County,
Illinois, in the spring of 1889, he
commenced preaching and babtized
many persons, some of whom are
now prominent members in the
church. Here he lost his wife, |
June 10th, 1841, after which he
moved to Nauvoo, and married |
Barbara Ann Ewell, November
Sd, 1871, she being a member of a |
family he baptized in Missouri. In
1912 when NauVoO was organized
into wards he was ordained bishop, |
August 21st, TO preside over the |
Eleventh ward. He remained here
until the saints were driven from |
NauvOo, when he was appointed
captain Of a company, many of the |
members remaining With the COM |
pany Until its arrival in the valleys
18th, 1850. He moved
to Lehi February 18th, 1851, over
which place he was appointed to |
preside as bishop, the duties of |
which Office he faithfully performed
for twenty eighth years, rendering |
his resignation August 24Uh, 1879, |
on account of old age and failing |
health. He located the city of Lehi, |
and laid it off in blocks and lots with |
a pocket compass, tape line and |
square. He was elected to the first |
Legislature in Utah, and acted for
many years In connection with that |
body. He was colonel of militia,
served as mayor of Lehi several |
terms and held other responsible |
positions. His death occurred June |
the 23d at 1870 pm. For several |
days he was unwell and on
Tuesday, June the 10Th, at |
1 p. m. he received a heavy paraly-
etic stroke, which completely paral-
lzed his whole right side, rendering |
aim helpless and speeches. in which |
condition he remained until his
death.
The funeral services were held
in the Leti Tabernacle at 8 D. m. on
Sunday, June oath. A special train
was dispatched from Salt Lake City
70 the benefit of his friends and ae-
quaintances, among whom were
President Woodruff. Bishop Hun
ter and others. also many came
from Provo and adjoining settle
men5s. The services were con-
Quoted by President Smoot, and ad-
dresses were made by Bishop Hun
ter, President Woodruff, Bishops
Hardy, Burton and others. After
the services the remains were car
ried to the cemetery, followed by a
procession numbering
lis vehicles, containing the rela-
tives and friends of the deceased,
this being the largest cOrtege ever
formed in Lehi. Bishop Evans is
the father of forty-one children,
thirty of whom are living; the
grand father of 102 grandchildren,
sixty five of whom are living, and
the greatgrandfather OF twenty-five.