Many tangible evidences can be given of the public spirit of Thomas Painter, mayor of Evanston and one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Uinta county. Well defined plans and purposes have carried him forward in his business career and the same spirit of determination and energy has been a factor in the accomplishment of his purpose in regard to the improvement of the city of which he is now the executive head. He was born in Southampton, England, February 28, 1862, and is a son of Erin and Sebina (Cowdery) Painter. The father remained in England throughout his entire life, engaged in the boiler making trade, and there he passed away in 1864. Eight years later, or in 1872, his widow came to America, making her way to Evanston, Wyoming, where she spent her remaining days, her death occurring in 1878. In her family were three children: William, who is now living in Bloomington, Idaho; James, a resident of Southampton, England; and Thomas, who is the youngest.
    Thomas Painter was a youth of sixteen years when the family home was established in Evanston. His education was that afforded in the public schools, and after starting out in life on his own account he was employed along various lines of business, eventually concentrating his efforts and attention upon the sheep industry, which he has developed to extensive proportions. He is today one of the foremost sheep men of the state, having numerous flocks pastured on large ranges, and his equipment for handling the sheep and caring for the wool is most modern. He likewise has a number of other business interests in this section of the state, being a director of the Evanston National Bank and vice president of the Western Wyoming Land & Live Stock Company of Evanston, as well as president of the Painter Sheep Company.
    On the 18th of May, 1887, Mr. Painter was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Downs, a daughter of James and Mary Downs, who were pioneer settlers of the state and were natives of Scotland. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Painter, but James and Mary have passed away. Thomas, the living son, born December 13, 1893, attended the public schools of Evanston and All Hallows College at Salt Lake City, after which he continued his studies in the Agricultural College at Logan, Utah, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He was married in 1913 to Miss Frances Joties, of Evanston.
    While Mr. Painter has most important and extensive business connections, he is also widely and prominently known through his official activities. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, have continued him in office for sixteen consecutive years. He was elected a member of the city council of Evanston and served in that position for two years. He was chosen county commissioner and served in that position for ten years. While a member of the county board he framed the bill to rebuild the front of the courthouse, which through the improvement thereby made has become one of the finest courthouses in the state. For four years he has been mayor of Evanston and is a most popular official whose efforts have been farreaching and resultant. He has made Evanston a "city beautiful." It is remarkable for its cleanliness, and Saturday is general clean-up day all over the town. Moreover, he has instituted many needed reforms and improvements. He was instrumental in bringing about the erection of the present magnificent city hall, which is one of the finest in the state and which was built at a cost of twenty-seven thousand dollars. It would be a credit to a city many times the size of Evanston. Mr. Painter is continually studying how best to advance the interests of his city, promote its welfare and uphold its civic standards. His labors have been attended with notable results and the present excellent condition of Evanston is due in very notable measure to the efforts, the public spirit and the enterprise of Mr. Painter, who has every reason to be proud of what has been accomplished. The weight of his influence, whether in office or out of it, is always on the side of advancement and improvement, and he is classed with those men who have been most active in the upbuilding of the best interests of the state.