David Edwards was born in Fulton County, Illinois, the son of a Kentucky-born father who died the year he was born, and he left home at thirteen. He enlisted in Company E, 103rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864, and married in Fulton County after the war. In the fall of 1869 he brought his wife and two children by covered wagon to Richland Township, Adair County, built a log cabin of hewn logs, and in time owned sixteen hundred acres. His son Frank H. Edwards farmed on section 19 of Richland Township, and his nephew L. H. Edwards, whose father Haden Edwards brought his family to Washington Township in 1869, worked for him before buying his own farms in Richland Township. Every fact below is cited to the 1915 History of Adair County.
Where the family starts
David Edwards and Melinda (Heddy) Edwardsthe earliest generation in the recordMost recent in our records
Frank H. Edwardsborn 1871Tap a name to jump to that person.
Pioneer settlers of Fulton County, Illinois
Civil War soldier; farmer and cattle feeder, Richland Township
David Edwards is now living retired in Fontanelle but for a long period was connected with agricultural interests, and through the careful management of his farm and his well directed business affairs in that connection he won the competence that now enables him to rest from further labors, enjoying all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 11th of July, 1810, and is a son of David and INIelinda (Heddy) Edwards, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of South Carolina. They were married in the former state and afterward removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where they cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers. They established their home upon a farm and there the father resided until his death, which occurred in March of the year in which his son David was born. The mother afterward married a Mr.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, section 19, Richland Township
FRANK H. EDWARDS.
Frank H. Edwards, who is successfully following agricultural pursuits on section 19, Richland township, is a native of that township, born January 3, 1871, and is a son of David and Emily (Maxwell) Edwards. An extended sketch of the father's life with his portrait appears elsewhere in this work.
Frank H. Edwards was reared under the jDarental roof and at the usual age entered the district schools, where he acquired his education. After reaching mature years he continued to reside at home and assisted his father in the latter's extensive farming operations. Following his marriage in 1902 our subject removed to his present farm which was deeded to him by his father the year before. He continued to reside upon that place until 1912, when he removed to Saskatchewan, Canada, where he had previously purchased a half section of land eighteen miles from Moosejaw. However, he remained upon his Canada farm for but one year, after which he returned to Adair county, where he has since resided. He is one of the representative farmers of Richland township]) and his labors return him a gratifying annual income.
On the ist of January, 1902, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Clara McKee, a daughter of William IcKee, one of the well known residents of Massena, Cass county. To this union have been born three children, tM'o of whom survive, namely, Glenn M. and Lawrence E.
Mr. Edwards is a republican in his political belief and takes the interest of a good citizen in everything relating to the public welfare. He has made many friends in this county, where he has lived for the greater part of his life, and he is a valued resident of his township.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Settlers of Washington Township, later of Missouri
Farmer, section 20, Richland Township
L. H. EDWARDS.
L. H. Edwards, a successful agriculturist and representative citizen of Ricliland township, makes his home on section 20, where he owns two. hundred acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 11th of August, 1868, his parents being Haden and Eliza (Beekstadt) Edwards, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Canada. Their marriage was celebrated in Fulton county, Illinois, to which place they had removed as children with their respective parents. In 1869 Haden Edwards came with his family to Adair county, Iowa, spending the winter in the old Avondale schoolhouse in Washington township while he was Uuilding a home. In the spring of 1870 they took up their above in their new log cabin in Washington township. Five years later they removed to another farm in the same township and the father erected a log cabin thereon. Aljout 1880, however, he made his way to Gentry county, Missouri, and three j'ears later went to Holt county, that state, where he has resided continuously to the present time.
L. H. Edwards was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the district schools. He was living in Missouri when he attained his majority and thence returned to Adair county, here working as a farm hand for his uncle, David Edwards, during about three falls and winters. In 1895 he purchased his first land, coming into possession of a forty-acre tract in Holt county, Missouri, on which he resided for two years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought a farm of sixty acres in Holt county, on which he made his home for a similar length of time. In 1900 he again came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 18, Richland township, which he sold two years later. Going back to Holt county, Missouri, he there resided for three years and at the end of that time returned to this county, purchasing his present home farm of eighty acres in Richland township. In 1911 he bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on the same section and still owns both farms. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a well deserved and gratifying measure of success and entitle him to recognition among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the community. The Nevinville Telejahone Company numbers him among its stockholders.
In 1896 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Anna Steinhauer, a daughter of Henry Steinhauer of Lincoln county, Illinois, who has passed away. To them have been born three children, namely: Louis F., Herman A. and Mary E. Mr. Edwards gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of road overseer. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Fontanelle. He is one of the hard-working, capable citizens of Richland township, where his honest and upright methods of conducting his business interests have won him the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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