William J. Evans, a retired iron worker of Catasauqua, was born in South Wales, December 13, 1845. Coming to America in 1862 he remained in Philadelphia one year and came to Allentown in 1863 and followed the rolling business, and in the Lehigh Valley until he retired from the Bryden Horse Shoe Co. in 1900. He is a Republican and has been actively identified in the party's advancement. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 269, since 1869, serving it as Past Grand; Beaver Tribe, No. 62, O. R. M. of Norristown; K. of P., No. 130, of Manyunk; also of the Fraternal Encampment of Catasauqua; Roxboro Lodge No. 130, F. and A. M.; the Jerusalem Chapter No. 3, of Philadelphia and the Welsh Society of Philadelphia. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran church and has served in the church council many years. He was married to Jane Roberts, a daughter of Owen Roberts formerly of North Wales later of South Wales. Their children are as follows: Margaret, married to John Ritter, connected with Koch Bros., of Allentown, and William, of Allentown.