David Evans (1804-1883)
Obituary -- 1883
Sketch of the life and ministry of Bishop David Evans. David
Evans the son of Israel and Abigail Evans, was born in Cecil County, Maryland,
October 17, 1804. When a small boy his parents moved to Pennsylvania, where he
remained until 1826, when he was married to 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 the11th of the same month he was ordained a Priest, and immediately
commenced traveling 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, same year.
In 1834 he went in Zion’s Camp from Ohio to Missouri, with Joseph
Smith the Prophet, for the redemption of Zion, and received his ordination to
the First Quorum of Seventies, under the hands of Joseph Smith and Sidney
Rigdon, April 19, 1835. He attended the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, in
the winter of 1835 and1836, and on May 20, 1835, left Ohio for Missouri, in
charge of a company of Saints, most of whom he baptized himself. He settled on
Shoal Creek, Caldwell County, buying some land and again making him a home; was
then with the Saints through all the persecutions in Missouri, among which was
the barbarous massacre at Haun’s Mill. In December he was compelled to leave
the State without his family, who shortly after followed, leaving all their
property behind. Arriving at Payson, Adams County, Ill., in the spring of 1839,
he commenced preaching and baptized many persons, some of whom are now
prominent members in the Church. Here he lost his wife, June 20, 1841, after
which he moved to Nauvoo and married Barbara Ann Ewell, November 23, 1841. She
being a member of a family he baptized in Missouri. In 1842, when Nauvoo was
organized into Wards, he was ordained a Bishop, August 21, to preside over the
Eleventh Ward,. He remained there until the Saints were driven from Nauvoo,
when he was appointed Captain of a company, many of the members remaining with
the company until its arrival in the valleys, September 15, 1850.
Moved to Lehi, Feb. 15, 1851, over which place he was appointed
to preside as Bishop, the duties of which he faithfully performed for 28 years,
tendering his resignation August 24, 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. 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 23, at 1 p.m. he received a heavy paralytic
stroke, which completely paralyzed his whole right side, rendering him helpless
and speechless, in which condition he remained until his death.
The funeral services were held in the Lehi Tabernacle at 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 24. A special train was dispatched from Salt Lake City, for the benefit
of his friends and acquaintances, among whom were President Woodruff, Bishop
Hunter, and others; also many came from Provo and adjacent settlements. The
servies were conducted by President Smoot, and addresses were made by Bishop
Hunter, President Woodruff, Bishops Hardy, Burton, and others. After the
services, the remains were carried to the cemetery, followed by a numerous
procession, numbering 115 vehicles containing the relatives and friends of the
deceased, this being the largest cortage ever formed in Lehi. Bishop Evans is
the father of 41 children, 30 of whom are living, the grandfather of 102
children, 65 of whom are living, and the great-grandfather of 22, all living.
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