David J. Evans

Biographical Summary:

"...David Evans, of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Bishop of Lehi, Utah county, Utah, from 1852 to 1879, was born October 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.

During the Great Apostasy of 1837 and 1838 Elder Evans left Ohio for Missouri in charge of a company of saints, part of the Kirtland Camp. Most of those he led he had baptized himself. In Missouri 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. 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.

Elder 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..."

SOURCE: Jensen, Andrew; LDS Biographical Encyclopedia; Vol 3, page 627. Retrieved from:http://www.gapages.com/evansd1.htm

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Son of Israel Evans and Abigail Alexander

Married Mary Beck, 25 Jul 1826
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Married Barbara Ann Ewell, 23 Nov 1841, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois

Married Sarah Thornton, 18 Oct 1852

Married Clymenia Shaw, 16 Mar 1854, Provo, Utah, Utah

Married Edna Hinchliff, 23 Nov 1854

Married Rebecca Coleman, 18 Nov 1861, Salt Lake City, Utah

Married Margaret Christine Holm, 4 May 1861

"David Evans the son of Israel and Abigail Evans, was born in Cecil County, Maryland, October 27th, 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 6th, 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 prosecute his missionary labors. He was ordained to the office of an Elder on the 21st of July the 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 Seventy, under the hands of Jospeh Smith and Sidney Rigdon, April 29th, 1835. He attended the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, in the winter of 1835 and 1836, and on May 20th, 1836, left Ohio for Missouri, in charge of a company of saints, most of whom he baptised himself. He settled on Shoal Creak, Caldwell County, buying some land and again making him a home; was with the saints through all their 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 baptised many persons, some of whom are now prominent members in the Church. He lost his wife June 20th, 1841, after which he moved to Nauvoo and married Barbara Ann Ewell, November 23rd, 1841, she being a member of a family he had baptised in Missouri. In 1842, when Nauvoo was organized into wards, he was ordained a 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 company, many of the members remaining with the company until its arrival in the Valleys, September 15th, 1850."

"Moved to Lehi February 15th, 1851, over which place he was appointed to preside as Bishop, the duties of which he faithfully performed for 28 years, tendering his resignation, on account of old age and failing health, August 24th, 1879. He located the City of Lehi and laid it off into 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 Major of Lehi Military District several terms, and held other responsible positions. His death occurred June 23rd, 1883, at 12:30 p.m. For several days he was not well, and on Tuesday, June 19, 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 death."

"The funeral services were held in the Lehi Tabernacle at 3 p.m., Sunday June 24th, 1883. 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 services were conducted by President Smoot and addresses were made by Bishop Hunter, President Woodruff, Bishops Hardy, Burten and others. After the services the remains were carried to the cemetary followed by a numerous procession, numbering 115 vehicles containing the relatives and friends of the deceased, this being the largest funeral cortage ever formed in Lehi."

(bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=4" target="_blank Utah State Historical Society)] Maintained by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46932087 Schott Family] Record added: Feb 02, 2000

Find A Grave Memorial# 95601

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via daughter Eliza Jane Hinckley (born Evans) by SmartCopy: Nov 28 2015, 14:26:35 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

Occupation: Mayor of Lehi, Utah State Legislator, Colonel of Militia

Ordained a Priest, 11 Apr 1833

Ordained an Elder: 21 Jul 1833

Attended School of the Prophets

Was a member of Zions Camp, 1834

Ordained to First Quorum of the Seventy: 27 Feb 1835 by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery

Served a Mission to Iowa, 1841, Calling was extended by the Council ofthe Twelve

Served a Mission to Virginia, 1844

Was living at Haun's Mill, Missouri at the time of the Massacre (Hisname is noted in church history -- Captain Evans -- in connection with that event) 30 Oct 1838

Ordained Bishop of the Eleventh Ward in Nauvoo, Illinois, 1842

Arrived in Salt Lake Valley: 15 Sep 1850 in the David Evans Company

Elected to the First Legislature of Utah

Colonel of the Militia

Funeral was attended by Wilford Woodruff

Served as Mayor of Lehi from 1854 - 1861