Sketch of the Life of William Minshall Evans
My Grandfather, William Minshall Evans, was the 4th child of a family of six, five boys and one girl. He was born March 12, 1825 in Liverpool, England and was the son of David Jones Evans and Sarah Minshall. The family were Welsh and very devout Christians, always attending church and keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Grandfather was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice, while his brother David had an excellent bass voice, and they were always to be found in their places in the Baptist church choir. These two boys together with Mary Holding, Isaac Grace, Elizabeth Grace and John Cunliff were in great demand and, if not singing in their own church, could be found at other churches in that vicinity.
The children received their education in the public schools. In July of 1839 it is said that the name of William Evans was entered on the books of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Co. On August 31, 1841 at the age of 16 Grandfather signed his apprenticeship papers with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Co., for a period of four years. He was placed as an assistant generally in the engineering department and particularly as a fitter. For the first year he was to receive the sum of 4 shillings per week, which in our money would amount to about one dollar. For the second year six shillings per week; 8 shillings during the third year; 10 shillings during the fourth year and for the fifth and last year 12 shillings per week.
Grandfather was naturally adapted to his trade and while at this work became very efficient in making moulds of many kinds. He made candle moulds and fluting irons for home use. As a steel cutter and fitter he held an enviable record.
On September 26, 1845 his term having expired, his apprenticeship papers were returned to him with the accompanying statement: "He has conducted himself to the satisfaction of the company," signed Edward Woods, President. He remained with the for company some time, and at some time between 1846 and 48 he transferred to the Twickenham district of the London and South-Western Railway, becoming foreman of the locomotive department at Twickenham.
One beautiful Sunday morning in the fall of 1841 when he first became an employee of the railroad, he was on his way to church when he heard singing that thrilled him beyond anything he head heard. He followed the sound and it took him down an alley and up some rickety stairs into a room where a few people were holding a meeting. John Taylor was the singer and the song he sang was so beautiful that Grandfather remained to hear the sermon. He learned that they were Latter-day Saints and was so impressed with their teachings that he lingered to meet the missionaries.
On returning home he was severely reproved by his brother David for neglecting his duty at church. When asked where he had been, Grandfather told of the singing that had attracted him to a Mormon meeting and said, "I heard the true Gospel of Christ."
He attended other meetings and interested David and his parents in the teachings of the Mormon Missionaries. Before long he and David were converted and were baptized in the river Mersey November 28, 1841 and confirmed December 5, 1841. They were very faithful in serving in this new church and were instrumental in converting other members of the family to the Gospel.
On March 16, 1846 he married Ann Grace in Liverpool, England. Two daughters were born to them and both died in infancy. This companionship was not to last long for on March 9, 1848 his lovely wife Ann died. She was buried March 12, 1848 in Wesleyan Chapel Cemetery., Upper Stanhope St., Liverpool, England. This was a severe blow to him and he turned to his religion with more fervor than ever, realizing that the assurance of the truth of the Gospel would afford him the strength and courage to carry on.
A short time prior to his wife's passing, he had been ordained to the office of a teacher, May 27, 1847, in the Liverpool Branch of the LDS Church. His certificate of ordination was signed by Simeon Carter, Pres. and James Sherlock Cantwell, clerk. He also became a member of the choir and remained active until May 1848 when he decided to emigrate to Utah where he might have the advantage of mingling with the Saints and enjoying greater opportunities.
His wife's sister Margaret Grade Davis and her husband, John David, had joined the church and decided to emigrate to Utah with Grandfather.
When they arrived in New York they learned that President Brigham Young had asked that any mechanics arriving would stop there and help repair the wagons for the return journey across the plains. Grandfather went from one place to another helping with the repair work. After a time he worked his way to St. Louis and found employment there. Before very long he had saved enough money to help bring his brother David to America.
After David and his wife Mary Holding arrived they worked their way to Kanesville, Iowa - now Council Bluffs - and saved money to bring their parents from England. During the winter of 1849-50 their parents and brother Charles arrived. John, the oldest son remained in England. His brother Edward had died April 23, 1847 before grandfather left England and the only sister had died in infancy.
The three brothers and their parents worked hard to prepare for the journey to Utah. Their Mother steamed the timber to bend into wagon bows and the boys and their father helped in making and repairing wagons.
While in Kanesville, Grandfather and his brothers David and Charles became identified with Captain Ballow's famous band, membership in which was resumed in Salt Lake. They also joined the church choir of which David had been appointed leader.
During the cholera epidemic in Kanesville, his Mother was stricken with the dread disease and died after an illness of only three hours, August 10, 1850. This was a terrible disappointment to all of them, but his father was so broken hearted that he had no desire to continue on to Utah and so returned to England to live with his son John. After five years on February 27, 1855 he passed away. He was buried Mar 4, 1855 in Tooting Cemetery just five miles out of London.
In June of 1851 Grandfather started the journey across the plains in Orson Pratt's company. Grandfather drove an ox team for his sister-in-law, Margaret Grace Davis. He was bugler for the company playing the canopeon, an instrument similar to our modern cornet. His duty was to sound the bugle at 5 o'clock in the morning as a signal for every man to arise and attend prayers before he left his wagon, and at 7 o'clock, at which time the train was to move. All movements of the train were made at the sound of the bugle. At 8:30 p.m. the bugle sounded again, the signal to hold prayers in their wagons and retire by 9 o'clock.
Little did Grandfather realize that his future wife was traveling in the next company and heard his bugle call all through the journey.
The company arrived in Salt Lake the 26th of September 1851 and Grandfather and his brothers were soon busy working at their different trades; Grandfather in the construction of buildings and homes.
Soon after settling in Salt Lake he resumed his membership in Captain Ballow's Band, the first band organized in Utah. Before long a choir was organized of which Grandfather was an enthusiastic member.
At the first party given by Ballow's Band, my grandfather met Charlotte Jarrold Hyder. He fell in love with her and before long this charming romance culminated in their marriage on July 15, 1852. The ceremony was performed at Shurtliff's home on 3rd South and 1st West Streets. On July 26, 1852 they received their endowments in the Council House.
Their first home was a front room in the Shurtliff home. In a short time Grandfather had made enough adobes to start their own home, which was built in the 11th ward, on First South between 7th and 8th East. Only two rooms were completed at this time for Grandfather, David and Charles were busy a great deal of the time. They were great favorites with Captain William H. Hooper, one of early Utah's "Big Five" in contracting.
On August 28, 1852 he was ordained to the 29th quorum of Seventies.
When the cornerstone of the Salt Lake Temple was laid, April 6, 1853, Grandfather was one of the singers at the ceremony and also played with Ballow's Band.
Immediately after this Grandfather decided to go to Salt Creek, now Nephi. Here his brother-in-law, Isaac Grace and other friends were making new homes and were anxious to have him with them. The prospect there appealed to him and he decided to start a home. As soon as he had the foundation laid and the adobes made he decided to return to Salt Lake for Grandmother. He left Nephi and walked by way of Utah Lake. In the meantime Grandmother had become anxious about getting to Nephi and without letting grandfather know, set out on the trip. She expected to surprise him and went by way of Spanish Fork. Crossing the swollen Spanish Fork River was a terrible ordeal for her. A Mr. Mott who was taking the mail, after much persuasion consented to take her across the river. The wagon bed was nearly washed from the bolsters and when they got across the river her fingernails were all bent back from holding to the wagon.
When she arrived in Nephi and found that Grandfather had gone to Salt Lake, she was sick at heart. Just three weeks after leaving Salt Lake on June 14, 1853 her first baby, Charlotte, was born in a wagon bed. The courageous little Mother was alone except for a friendly neighbor, sister Ellen Miller, who had heard her in distress, and came to her aid.
Of course, as soon as Grandfather arrived in Salt Lake and found Grandmother had left, he hurried back as fast as possible. Within 3 weeks the 2 room house was ready to move into. The floors were of dirt and the roof of poles and willows, so naturally it leaked. Light was secured by burning grease. There was no stove, all the cooking was done in the fireplace. The table, chairs, bedstead and cupboard were homemade and the few good cooking utensils they possessed had been brought from England.
There were trying times in more ways than one, for during the summer of 1853 the Ute Indians under their notorious Chief Walker went on the war path. The motto of the Mormons was: "It is better to feed the Indians than to fight them," and this motto was strictly adhered to. But in spite of this disposition on the part of the settlers, the Indians continued warlike preparations. The men were under necessity of going for wood and to their fields and other work in large armed bodies as protection against the Red Men.
It soon became evident that greater protection was needed for their homes. It was decided that a fort would furnish this need. The wall of the fort was to encompass an area of nine blocks, being three blocks square. The wall was 12 feet high, 6 feet wide at the bottom and 2½ feet wide at the top. There were two large gates, one at the north and one at the south. People whose homes were not in the confines of the fort wall abandoned them and moved into the fort.
Every available man was in demand and Grandfather was among those helping in the building of the fort and the homes within it.
No sooner was the fort started than Chief Walker appealed to the authorities and forbade the building of the wall, saying that he couldn't shake hands across it and that he didn't want his earth torn up as they were doing.
For many days all was uncertainty. The town was surrounded by Indians. There were rumors that Walker had twice set a time to massacre the people but had been outwitted.
During the summer of 1854 a partial treaty was effected, and Chief Walker and his band went away on a hunt and were gone until fall. When he returned, he found the fort completed. Observing that they could either lock him in or out as they chose, he had nothing more to say, and for some time there was comparative peace.
That fall on October 6, 1854 the second child, John William was born. The baby didn't thrive and it was thought they could obtain better medical care for him in Salt Lake and according they family returned to the home there. During the winter Grandfather worked for Captain Cooper. The baby didn't improve and when only ten months old on July 30, 1855 passed away.
The following February 1, 1856 the third child Alice Ann was born and when she was four months old the family returned to Nephi, arriving in time to put the crops in.
Soon after their arrival, Grandfather received word from President Brigham Young calling him to the position of choir leader with instructions to organize a choir. His response was immediate and in a very short time the Nephi choir was organized. For a time practices were rather difficult as candles were the only light to be had, and each member took a turn in furnishing them. Later on, however, they had lamps.
There was no instrument to accompany them so Grandfather used his tuning fork to give the correct pitch. Later they were fortunate in having four violinist to assist them. There were no funds with which to buy music and it wasn't so plentiful as today. To offset this difficulty Grandfather would obtain the soprano part and arrange the other parts on homemade music paper. Sometimes he could obtain anthems and special selections from which copies were made. In order to furnish new material and keep his members interested Grandfather supplied many original songs and choruses for special occasions, composing both the words and music for these numbers. As time went on the choir was able to entertain the public with lovely musicals, concerts, dances and short operas. The funds form these performances made it possible for the choir to buy their first organ, which event called for a grand celebration. Although their hardships were many, their joys in spreading cheer and goodwill were unnumbered.
Grandfather was a natural leader. His jovial good humor was contagious and his singing a joy to hear. He possessed the ability to direct and hold people together in harmony, which accounted for his success. During the twenty five years he directed the choir his success was not obscured, for on one of his visits to Nephi, President Young paid him a glowing tribute in which he said, "In my opinion, the Nephi choir rates second only to the Tabernacle choir in Salt Lake."
Grandfather was busy in other capacities as well, helping in the building of the Nephi Tabernacle, the Social Hall, the Co-op and homes. During his spare time or when his friends needed it he repaired implements and machines.
The year of 1857 was a hard one for all the Mormon people in Utah for the seeds of persecution had been sown in a letter to the attorney general of the U.S. This letter was written March 30, 1857 by William W. Drummond of Illinois, as associate judge of Utah. He made false charges against Governor Young and the Mormon people. He declared that the records of the supreme court of Utah had been destroyed; that Brigham Young had approved and had pardoned Mormon criminals and imprisoned innocent gentiles and had insulted judges; that the American Government had been traduced and men insulted, harassed and murdered for doing their duty.
President Buchanan accepted these accusations at their face value and without investigation determined on changing the governor and appointment new judges. He further directed that an army must accompany the new appointees to sustain these authorities and suppress rebellion among the Mormon people-a rebellion which did not exist.
It was Abraham O. Smoot who learned that an army was coming to Utah. While on his way east with the mail he met troops and trains of government supplies at Independence. He and Porter Rockwell, and Judson L. Stoddard returned to notify Governor Young as soon as possible.
After a council Governor Young proclaimed martial law throughout the territory of Utah and General Daniel Wells issued a call for volunteers for the militia. He established headquarters at the Narrows in Echo Canyon, a defile [sic] rugged and steep where a few men could hold an army.
As soon as Grandfather heard this news he enlisted and came to Salt Lake to take his turn standing guard. Because shoes were hard to get Grandmother made some slippers for him to wear. They were made by hand by sewing many thicknesses of an old suit together. They proved to be practical as well as very comfortable.
Early in November, Johnston's army arrived at Black's Fork but didn't enter the valley until June 26, 1858 when they were ushered through the city to the opposite side of Jordan River and three days later went on to camp Floyd leaving the city and inhabitants unharmed.
On November 19, 1857 the 4th child, Lucy-my own beloved mother-was born to this couple. Two years later April 16, 1859 Charles was born, and when he was a year and a half old on November 2, 1860, David was born.
By this time Grandfather was busy making plans for a new home to accommodate the growing family. Before the home was completed another son, Richard Hugh, was born September 16, 1862. When Richard was a little over a year old the family moved out of the fort to their new home, on what became known as Railroad Street.
This home had more conveniences than the other for Grandfather made the first kitchen sink in Nephi, in this home. It was made of wood with a square wood drain pipe through the wall, and lined with tin from five gallon molasses cans. When the drain pipe became clogged, the poker solved the difficulty. In the winter when the pipe became frozen the poker was heated and put into use again.
Matches were scarce. The custom was to cover the fire with ashes at night and rake them off in the morning and coax the fire into a blaze. When the fires went out, it was a common sight to see people running to their neighbors to borrow live coals on a shovel or in a pan.
Grandfather made a cheese press and a leach tube for making lye from hard wood ashes. These articles made the rounds of the neighborhood every spring and fall. He made an Italian fluting iron. Then there was the trundle bed for the children which could be made up and slipped under the big bed during the day. He used most of his spare time making things more convenient and pleasant in the home.
On August 24, 1864 another daughter, Sarah Jane, came to this home and when she was nearly a year old in the summer of 1865 the Black Hawk Indian War broke out.
In order to protect the people against the attacks of the Indians it was necessary to organize for war and maintain a constant guard. The fort which had been erected eleven years before was now of great assistance. The Indians had camped in the big hollow which runs east and west through Nephi on the north side of the town. The plan was to massacre the people during the night, but through the generosity of a friendly Indian the people were warned and prepared to outwit the warriors. It was two years before peace was declared and attacks from the Indians ceased.
On October 26, 1866 another daughter, Martha Elizabeth was born to this couple.
In the year 1869 Grandfather was ordained a High Priest and also became a member of the High Council of Juab Stake of Zion. In those days people settled their difficulties in the Bishop's court and because Grandfather could control his own feelings and handle people with firmness and diplomacy, he was often called to assist in this court.
On March 10, 1869 the fifth son, Edward William was born and two years later August 2, 1871 the sixth girl, Grace was born. As the family grew up they became members of the choir, most of them having very fine voices. Indeed he had a choir at home.
In the early spring of 1872 Grandfather and his brother David went to Soda Springs, Idaho to do some building for Captain Hooper. In July his son David who was then about 12 years old, took sick. He had what we now call appendicitis, and in spite of the best treatment that could be given, he did not improve. Grandfather sent word to Grandfather but it took two or three days to get a message to him. When Grandmother realized David couldn't get well, she sent for the Elders and taking the bottle of oil she said, "Oh! My dear boy, you mustn't die until you are ordained to the priesthood." The Elders ordained him and during the night of July 6 he passed away.
As Grandfather was on his way home he saw an orchid cloud from which a figure appeared and he said to himself, "Oh! My David's gone."
Ten months later they had to go through this harrowing experience again, for Charles, then 14 years old, was stricken with the same trouble as David. He was busy tending the teams when the attack overtook him and on May 3, 1872 passed away.
On September 21, 1874 Grandfather became a citizen of the United States of America in the Territory of Utah and received his papers at that time.
The next month on October 18, 1874 the sixth son, Ernest Isaac, was born making a family of 12; and a very happy family it was, for no couple could have been more united in purpose or more devoted to each other and their children.
At the October conference in 1875 Grandfather was called to fill a mission in Europe. His call was dated October 11, 1875 and was signed by President Brigham Young and Daniel Wells. He set about immediately to make preparations for his departure. He sold part of his hay to pay his expenses and arranged for a man to look after the team and farm. On October 25 he left Nephi for Salt Lake and stayed one week, leaving November 2 for New York and arriving there at 7:30 a.m. November 8.
The steamship Wisconsin, on which he sailed, left New York for England at 2 p.m. November 9. Early the morning of November 19 the ship reached Queenstown, England; and though it was rather rough sailing up the Irish Channel, it arrived at Liverpool at 5 a.m. on Saturday, November 20.
The following Monday, Grandfather reported at the conference house in London for duty. While awaiting his assignment he spent a little time with his brother, John, in Twickenham, about an hour and a half's ride from London. Meeting his brother and family again brought him great happiness and it was arranged that he should spend Christmas with them.
A few days were spent at Kingston and Richmond renewing old friendships and visiting relatives and participating in the branch meetings.
On Saturday January 8, 1876 he received his appointment form President Carrington, who presided over the British Mission at that time. His assignment was that of traveling elder in North Wales in the Liverpool Conference, headquarters of which were at 42 Islington Street.
May 4, 1876 while laboring in the town of Birkenhead, he received word to return to Liverpool. He left by boat that morning at 11 o'clock and arrived in Liverpool in time for dinner. After dinner President Carrington told him he had been chosen to preside over the Bristol Conference, consisting of twelve branches with headquarters at #11 Harding Street, Bristol, England.
This assignment brought with it many duties. Some days he walked form eight to twenty-five miles in his travels through the branches; and many times his feet were so badly swollen and blistered he had to take time off to doctor them. One afternoon he left Cheltenham for the countryside. After walking nine miles, part of the time in the rain, he arrived at the home of Brother Hanks. He had no accommodations to offer Grandfather, and the place he was to have stayed was two miles away. Grandfather was so tired and wet that he was glad to stay there and have a bed on some chairs.
The next few nights the accommodations were not much better, for he had to make his bed on a bench. When he left this community he had to walk a distance of seven miles to the railroad station. He had been traveling eleven days, mostly on foot, and when he arrived in Bristol he was suffering form a severe cold and a violent pain in his back which confined him to his bed.
Aside from traveling there were the finances of the conference for him to take care pf; statistical reports to keep up, and the literature such as the Millennial Star to be distributed among the elders. Nevertheless he was always full of faith and good cheer, happy to be in the service of his God; never complaining, merely mentioning some of the conditions under which he labored. Before long his health began to break and by August he was in a serious condition, having contracted Bright's Disease. He said little about himself, but his secretary, Brother Irwin, and companions were so concerned over his failing health that they wrote President Carrington of his condition. Accordingly, on August 12 when President Carrington came to visit the Bristol Conference, he spent most of his time with Grandfather and found his health was very poor.
During this visit President Carrington found some of the Elders had served their time and were eligible for release, and so he suggested that Grandfather be released at the same time. He said that the families of these missionaries needed them so badly at home. He felt Grandfather had labored in very difficult conferences but was more than pleased with his labors and the results obtained.
Grandfather began at once to set the business of the conference in order, and on October 14 he left Bristol for Twickenham to spend a little time with his brother John and other relatives. They were very good to him and made his visit a very pleasant one. He visited the workshops of the railway company for which he had previously worked and met many of his old friends.
Bidding his folks goodbye he left Twickenham on Saturday morning, October 21 and arrived in Liverpool by late afternoon. The next few days he spent with President Carrington visiting the Saints and a few relatives living in Liverpool and its immediate vicinity, holding meetings and taking his part with the Elders.
Grandfather didn't have the necessary funds to pay for his passage home, so he signed a promissory note for $74.88 to the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company in Liverpool, England on October 25, 1876. This fund had been established by the church in 1867 to help bring its scattered members to Zion. This note was paid in full by Grandmother June 13, 1878 and returned to her by order of Apostle Joseph F. Smith, acting secretary of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and Albert Carrington, President of the British Mission.
The night before Grandfather and his companions left, the missionaries and Saints held a social wishing them Godspeed on their journey home.
On Wednesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. aborad the steamship Wyoming he and his companions set sail for America. The trip through the Irish Channel was calm, but the next few days Grandfather was quite ill and spent most of the time in bed.
On Sunday, the 29th he got up feeling much better and attended the Church of England services conducted by traveling missionaries en route to Canada. In the afternoon having been granted permission by the captain, the LDS Missionaries held a meeting in the steerage. It was very well attended, many of the cabin passengers being in attendance. At 6:30 that evening they held another service. Besides my grandfather, other missionaries present were Brother McKenzie, Brother Platt D. Lyman and Brother Llewelyn.
On Tuesday they sailed close to the banks of Newfoundland and found it too cold to stay on deck very long. They passed two ships on their way to England that day.
The rest of the journey was quite pleasant as far as weather conditions were concerned.
On Saturday, November 4 Grandfather arrived in New York. The time in crossing was only eleven days. He crossed the Hudson River to New Jersey and left by train for Philadelphia., arriving there at midnight. Sunday November 5 he crossed the Allegheny Mountains and got to Pittsburgh by 10 p.m. and stopped there until Monday at 2 a.m. when he boarded the train for Utah. The following Sunday, November 12, at 6:40 p.m. he arrived at Ogden, Utah, and to his great surprise found his brothers David and Charles there to meet him. They went on to Salt Lake and arrived about 9 p.m. to be welcomed by the families of his two brothers.
He was soon in his beloved home with his loving family about him. His happiness was somewhat dimmed when he found they had suffered so many hardships, too. The man who had promised to care for the team had used them for sleighing and because of his neglect, they had died. The winter of '78 was very severe. The cows and some of the sheep had died because of the scarcity of feed.
Grandfather's health didn't improve, but he worked with the boys hauling wood-enough for the remainder of the winter. He and his brother David worked two weeks in Salt Lake for Captain Hooper. Upon his return home he was confined to his bed, and on January 5, 1877 at the age of 51, he passed from this life. On his deathbed he bore a strong and faithful testimony to the truth of the principles of the Gospel fo Christ in which he died in full faith.
His funeral took place on Sunday, January 7, his remains being carried from his late residence to the meeting house by the members of the High Council, the Nephi brass band, of which he has a member, playing the funeral march. The large meeting house was filled to overflowing, and his remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of citizens, over 80 teams being in the cortege. While his remains were being deposited in the grave the choir sang a favorite hymn.
His brother David said of him: William Evans was a true pioneer in his own family. He was first to hear the Gospel, first to be baptized, first to come to America and Utah, first to fill a Mission and first to answer the final call."
This history was compiled and written by Grace McLachlan Foxley, granddaughter of William Minshall Evans from notes and information given to me by my mother, Lucy Evans McLachlan, February 12, 1940.
