Abel J. Evans
(1852-1939)
Dublin Core
Person Item Type Metadata
District
7th District Senator
Political Party
Democrat
Latter-day Saint
Yes
Age at Election
42
Birth Date
December 20, 1852
Birthplace
Lehi, Utah, Utah Territory, United States
Death Date
December 8, 1939
Spouse(s)
Louisa Emmeline Zimmerman (1855-1942) Married January 26, 1874
Occupation
Lawyer and Farmer
Biographical Text
At twelve years old, Abel John Evans was tasked with helping support his mother and eight younger siblings when his father left to serve a church mission in Wales, where he died shortly after. He tended the farm and did any other labor he could find. As such, he had few educational opportunities. However, the Utah State Supreme Court granted him a certificate to practice law in Utah. Throughout his life, Evans tirelessly administered to the sick when called upon.
He was likewise civically minded and was active in community affairs, serving as a member of the Lehi City Council, Lehi mayor in 1891, alderman, and justice of the peace. Evans also actively participated in affairs of the state, first as a member of the Constitutional Convention, then as a senator for the first four legislative sessions. During his final session, he was unanimously chosen as senate president.
Following his death in 1939 from the effects of age, an obituary in the Deseret News said of Evans, “he faced life and its difficulties with courage and resourcefulness and was a fearless defender of what he believed to be true and just and for the welfare of mankind ” (“Abel John Evans” 1939). During the first legislative session, Evans chaired the Fish and Game Committee.
He was likewise civically minded and was active in community affairs, serving as a member of the Lehi City Council, Lehi mayor in 1891, alderman, and justice of the peace. Evans also actively participated in affairs of the state, first as a member of the Constitutional Convention, then as a senator for the first four legislative sessions. During his final session, he was unanimously chosen as senate president.
Following his death in 1939 from the effects of age, an obituary in the Deseret News said of Evans, “he faced life and its difficulties with courage and resourcefulness and was a fearless defender of what he believed to be true and just and for the welfare of mankind ” (“Abel John Evans” 1939). During the first legislative session, Evans chaired the Fish and Game Committee.
Bibliography
“Abel John Evans.” Deseret News. December 11, 1939.
Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7.
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KW8L-43Z
Image of Abel J. Evans by courtesy of HathiTrust Cropped from page 40 of Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7?urlappend=%3Bseq=46
Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7.
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KW8L-43Z
Image of Abel J. Evans by courtesy of HathiTrust Cropped from page 40 of Drumm, Mark. "The Bee Hive State." Drumm's Manual of Utah, and Souvenir of the First State Legislature, 1896. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Salt Lake City, Utah: M. Drumm, 1896. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hx4jb7?urlappend=%3Bseq=46
Collection
Citation
“Abel J. Evans
(1852-1939),” Utah State History Digital Exhibits, accessed May 6, 2024, https://utahstatehistory.omeka.net/items/show/220.
(1852-1939),” Utah State History Digital Exhibits, accessed May 6, 2024, https://utahstatehistory.omeka.net/items/show/220.