Joseph H. Evans, son of David Evans and Barbara Ann Ewell Evans, was born April 7, 1847 in Nodaway County, Missouri. The home in which he was born was a log cabin without windows, doors and dirt floors. Blankets were put to the doors.

In the spring of 1851, with his parents, he arrived in Salt Lake Valley at the age of four years. His father was called to Lehi by Brigham Young to preside over that colony as he had been captain of that company while on the trek to the valley. His father, David Evans, was the first Bishop of Lehi and served as Bishop of the Eleventh Ward of Nauvoo under the leadership of the
Prophet Joseph Smith.

He was baptized when eight years old by Lorenzo H. Hatch in the summer of 1855 and re-baptized by his father, David Evans, in 1859. He was then baptized into the United Order by Heleman Pratt and confirmed by A. K. Thurber for the ordinances of that order on July 7, 1876.

In the year of 1865 there was a company of young people of Lehi called to receive their endowments in the Salt Lake Endowment House. He, with his two sisters, Sarah and Susannah, were among the group. It was at this time, October 15, 1865, that he was ordained an Elder. This was a highlight in his life, as he often spoke of it with much joy and pleasure.

He was called to go back to the Little Laramie River to assist a handcart company under the leadership of Captain Joseph Rollins. He was away ten weeks.

In the year of 1871 (age 24 years) he took all his possessions and went to Richfield, Sevier County, to farm. During the summer he was called to serve as home missionary. While serving in this calling, he became acquainted with Sarah Jane Casto who became his wife. They were married in the Salt Lake Endowment House on 21 April 1873. Sarah Jane Casto was the daughter of Matthew Galland and Elizabeth Daniels Casto. Joseph and Sarah Jane made their home in Richfield. He was road supervisor of Sevier County, Stake M.I.A. President and then elected a Justice of the Peace in Richfield.

Their eldest child was born in Richfield, September 13. 1874, and died in Manti, Sanpete County. Her name was Elizabeth Ann. The second child. Sarah Jane, was born January 14,1877, in Richfield.

They lived four years in Richfield in the United Order. He then moved to Gooseberry Creek where his wife's brother held some land about ten miles from Salina and there two sons, David Galland and Joseph, Jr., were born.

At Gooseberry he was superintendent of the Sunday School and was very active in church work. From Gooseberry the family moved to what is now Emery, Emery, Utah, where he became very active in civic offices as well as church positions. Here he was Postmaster, Constable, Justice of the Peace and Counselor to Bishop George Petty. He was also one of three supervisors of commissioners over a large canal.

Here at Emery, seven more children were born to them: Mary Ellen, Emma, Susannah, George, Pyreana, Virda, and Azer.

During these pioneer years, there were many trying and difficult circumstances. As the town was without sufficient trees, he contributed and planted trees of many varieties. At one time on Arbor Day, the people of Emery were asked to bring a nice tree for the Park and the nicest one was brought by Joseph Evans, for which he won First Prize. He was given the privilege of naming the tree which he did name "Liberty." It was a grey willow tree. His family was very proud and delighted over the occasion.

He was a very wonderful father never complaining, never tiring and ever faithful to the principles of the church.

Six years prior to this death, he became very ill and never recovered. He died at the age of fifty-two years on June 30, 1899.

Written by daughter, Emma Evans Miller Peterson