User:TrustTruth/Isaac Robert Evans
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| Isaac Robert Evans | |
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| Born | February 1, 1829 Merthyr Tydfil, Wales |
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| Died | February 11, 1901 (aged 72) Castle Dale, Utah |
| Known for | Mormon pioneer |
| Spouse | Catherine Thomas |
| Children | William Thomas (1854 - 1926) Isaac (1856 - 1856) Isaac (1858 - 1859) Henry Thomas (1860 - 1938) Richard (1863 - 1863) David Thomas (1864 - 1900) Richard (1865 - 1865) John Isaac (1868 - 1945) Taliesin (1871 - 1944) Hector Thomas (1874 - 1963) |
| Parents | Isaac Evans and Catharine Roberts |
Isaac Robert Evans (February 1, 1829 - February 11, 1901) was a Welsh Mormon convert and an early settler of Castle Dale, Utah.
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[edit] Early life
Evans was born on Cwmyglo Farm in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, to Isaac and Catharine Roberts Evans. When Evans was two years old, his father died at the age of 31 in Glebeland, Merther Tydfil. When Evans was 23, his mother died in Troed-y-rhiw. She was 55.
Soon after his 24th birthday, Evans married 21-year-old Catherine Thomas in a springtime ceremony in Merthyr Tydfil's Zion Chapel.[1]
[edit] Affiliation with Mormonism
In February 1877, Isaac joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[2] Catherine (née Thomas) joined ten months later.[3] By the time the couple joined, all ten of their children (all boys) had been born, and six were still living, ranging in age from three to twenty-three. The entire family were apparently good singers.[4]
Unlike many families joining the church at the time, the Evanses did not immediately prepare to emigrate from their native country. Instead, they remained in Wales, where Isaac continued his profession. The family worked to establish a stronger church presence in and around their village, and Isaac would often speak at church services.[4]
By November 1886, at least two of the Evans' sons had immigrated to Utah. That month, Elder John Thomas, a Mormon missionary from Utah, began staying with the family at their home in Penrhiwceiber.[4] Thomas kept a detailed journal as a missionary and recorded more than one instance when he and the family would talk until late at night about Mormon doctrines and the gospel of Jesus Christ.[4] Thomas called Isaac Evans "quite a poet" and reported that the family had "two Sons at Pleasant Vally[sic] Coal Mines."[4] One night, after staying up until midnight talking, Thomas recorded that the Evanses "think their Sons that is in Utah will Send for them this Spring; their whole talk is about (Zion); when they go it will be a great loss to this Mission."[4] The next morning, Catherine made Welsh rarebit.[4] Another morning, on Good Friday, April 8, she made hot cross buns.[4] At the end of his stay, Thomas recorded "I have Enjoyed my Self with Bro & Sister Evans" and "they are So kind".[4]
[edit] Immigration to Utah
Isaac and Catherine finally sailed from Liverpool on August 11, 1888, aboard the ship Wisconsin. They arrived in New York City twelve days later, then traveled on to Utah where they settled in Castle Dale, a coal mining town near the center of the state where Isaac died in 1901. Catherine died 12 years later on August 24, 1913.
 Catherine Thomas in her later years |
 William Thomas Evans, oldest son, sailed with his parents in 1888 |
