Bishop David Evans and His Family

His Leadership in Utah, 1851-1883

Retirement and Death

On his arrival in the Utah valley, February 15, 1851, Bishop David Evans at once became the directing personality in the little settlement, and led the people in their struggle to obtain a foothold on Dry Greek. For this work he was eminently qualified, sturdy, determined, plain, outspoken, resourceful, a pioneer in every respect. Soon after his arrival, the Dry Creek Ward was organized with David Evans as Bishop, Charles Hopkins and David Savage as Counselors, and Jehial McConnell as ward clerk. For twenty-eight years Bishop Evans held this position, during the whole time when the infant city was struggling against colossal hardships, when it gained its feet sufficiently to combat the Indians and grasshoppers, when it acquired stability enough to make the future look hopeful, and finally when it blossomed into a flourishing city- -a wonderful transformation from the Evansville of 1851 to the Lehi of 1879.

By this time Bishop Evans had become an aged man, and with the addition of poor health to interfere with his duties, he concluded to resign. On September 21, 1879, after twenty-eight years of service such as few men have had the opportunity and ability to give, he was honorably released from his position.

On June 19, 1883, David suffered a serious stroke that left him speechless and partially paralyzed. Death occurred June 23rd. Funeral services were held in the Lehi Tabernacle, June 24th, followed by burial in the Lehi cemetery.

The following obituary appeared in the Deseret News:

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 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 Joseph 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 baptized himself. He settled on Shoal Creek, 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 baptized 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 2 3rd, 1841, she being a member of a family he had baptized in Missouri. In 1842, when Nauvoo was organized into wards, he was ordained a Bishop, August 2 1st, 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. in., 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 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 cemetery followed by a numerous procession, numbering 115 vehicles containing the relatives and friends of the deceased, this being the largest funeral cortege ever formed in Lehi.

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Bishop David Evans Family Association, 172 West 400 South, Lehi, Utah 84043
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