William Thomas Evans was born May 18,1839, in Pembrey, Carmathenshire, Wales. He was the first of nine
children born to Thomas Lewis Evans and Ann Jones Evans.
Grandfather
was baptized a member of the church in Kidwelly, Wales, in 1866.
Grandmother was baptized in 1867. Both were re-baptized in Malad City, Idaho,
on October 3, 1882. Rebaptism was a common practice in the early history of the
church.
Grandfather's
life-long occupation was that of blacksmith. While on my mission to Great Britain in 1929 to 1931, I had the
pleasure of laboring the last month in Kidwelly, Wales, and had
the opportunity of seeing the old blacksmith shop and home of Grandfather
Evans. I also saw the home and inn owned by his father Thomas Lewis Evans.
Grandfather
married Ann Jones, daughter of John Jones and Elizabeth Jenkins Jones. They
were the parents of ten children, two of whom died and were buried in Wales.
Grandfather and
his family came to America
in the summer of 1876, just five months before my father Hugh Jones Evans was
born. They settled in Malad City, Idaho,
a small Welsh community, on July 4, 1876. Their resources were very limited,
which necessitated their living for a time in a cave dug in the side of a hill.
An older cousin of mine, who had been in this temporary home many times, said grandfather lined the walls of the home with specially milled
lumber which made the interior of the home quite comfortable and attractive.
Soon after arriving
in Malad, Grandfather again started his trade as a
blacksmith. He taught two of his sons, Thomas and Hugh, the blacksmith trade.
My father Hugh and Grandfather worked together for years as father and son and
developed a substantial business built upon good work and fair and honest
dealings with their customers. It wasn't long until Grandfather was able to own
a much more suitable home for his large family. He acquired a small farm just
north of the town which, I presume, offered work opportunities for his growing
sons and provided additional income for his family.
Grandfather was
a hard-working, industrious man and earned the respect and confidence of his fellow
citizens. Two of his outstanding qualities were his absolute honesty and
dependability. These qualities were reflected to a high degree in his son, Hugh
Jones Evans, my father.
Grandmother was
a loyal and devoted wife who did her part well in helping to make the difficult
adjustment to life in a new country under very difficult circumstances. She and
Grandfather can be proud of their large posterity.
Grandfather died
of pneumonia July 14, 1902. We, the members of his posterity, can be very
grateful to our grandparents that they made the necessary effort to investigate
and embrace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, thereby making it possible for
us to enjoy the opportunities of this great country of America and the
blessing of the gospel.
Written by: Myrthus W. Evans,
grandson
Submitted by: Maydell Barfus
