(Thursday, July 29, 1976, The Idaho Enterprise)

Another 1864 Settler

(Headshot picture of Edward J. Evans at the beginning of this article)

According to family history, Edward J. Evans first came to Malad Valley in October 1864, after talking with Henry Peck and sons. He was so impressed with the Valley that he located a farm on Devil’s Creek where the water was cool, clear and sparkling, and the grass tall.

He returned to  Brigham City for his young wife Ann and baby daughter Janet.

The early settlers were mostly of Welsh descent and spoke that language. Edward J. Evans could speak and write both languages, so he became clerk and kept all the minutes of this new settlement in both English and Welsh.

In the three-room home the Evans’ built, they held dances and always welcomed friends. He developed a large herd of cattle and purchased a pure-bred sire – encouraging other Valley residents to also register their cattle. His dairy farm on Devil’s Creek became noted for its excellent butter and cheese, and fine mild cows. He was active in all agricultural improvement movements until his death in 1904.

They had eight more children all born in Malad. Their second child, Sarah Ann, was born Oct. 22, 1865. When Edward Evans died, his wife sold the farm to their son William Morgan Evans in May 1905. 

William and his wife Mary Jones were the parents of nine children. William Evans died fairly young, but his wife kept the farm for many years as a means of livelihood for raising her large family.

Eventually she sold the place to her son Raymond J. Evans. It was January 1930 when Raymond and his wife Mabel moved onto the farm. They lived there for 40 years raising six children.

In June 1970 they sold the original farm to their son William Donald Evans and his wife Christine, who now live there with their two daughters.

History of the Oren J. Jones’ farm was compiled from LDS Church biography accounts written by ancestors, Margaret P. Metcalf, Will Ellis and Mrs. Norman Crowther.

History of the Donald Evans’ farms was compiled from family records and histories by Anella Price, family historian.

[This was hand written on the bottom of the newspaper article] This farm was one of the 4-5 generation farms in Oneida County still operating under the care of direct family members.

(A large Family photo on the next page is of the Edward Evans Family. Alice is labeled on the left hand side of the photo, and her twin is labeled on the right hand side of the photo.)