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