Isaac Edwards

ISAAC EDWARDS.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

ISAAC EDWARDS has been a resident and respected citizen of Waukesha County for forty years, and in forwarding the interests of his community has ever been foreraost. He was born near llie historic city of (Quebec, Canada, in October, 1834, and was the third in a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters, of whom five are living. The parents of the children were Henry and Ellen (Emerson) Edwards, for further mention of whom see sketch of John Edwards. Until sixteen years of age the gentleman whose name heads this account remained with his parents in Canada, where the greater part of ids education was acfpiired; then leaving the parental roof he began the battle of life which he has waged heroically since. Going to the Green Mountain Stale he hired out at ijil4 per inoiilh, and after remaining there three years his father induced him to return home. Together they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854, landing in Milwaukee, which was then a place of no great importance. The first location of the Edwards family was on section 29 of Lisbon Township.

Mr. Edwards of this sketch made his home under the parental roof until his marriage, October

2.5, 18G2, to.Miss Sarah Ann Wilkins, a native of

Dorchester, England. Nine children were born of this union, two sons and seven daughters, of whom six are living, namely M. Melinda, who was very proficient in music, became the wife of Robert Taylor, a prosperous farmer of Delafield Township; G. Cora, who graduated from Carroll College in the Cla.ss of '86, and for a number of years w.as a successful teacher in the public school, wedded Elmer Weaver, son of Hon. Thomas Weaver; M. Julia wedded Alden J. Grover, a farmer and stockman of Hawkcye, Iowa; Ida II., who was a student of Carroll College and a successful teacher for several years, married George J..Stratton, a merchant of Janesville, AVis.; Irene, who is at home, was educated in Carroll College, and has developed quite a talent for elocution. That she jjossesses more than ordinary ability in that direction is shown by the fact that she has taken five or six prizes for which she has completed, among them being a gold and a silver medal. Nellie E., the youngest, has given especial attention to instrumental music. Mr. Edwards has four grandchildren, Delbert Ray and (Jrace.S. Stratton, (Wadys 15. Weaver and an infant of Mrs. Taylor's.

On the 23d of M.ay, 189.' Mr. Edwards was de)rived by death of his beloved companion, who for over thirty years had shared the happiness as well as the trials of life with him. Mrs. Edwardswas born October 4, 1841, and until twenty years of age remained in her native land. She was one of eleven children. In.liie, 18()l,lhe Wilkins family set sail from Liverpool, but so rough and unfavorable was the weather that nine weeks were consumed in making the voyage to New York. The first year after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edwards lived in the town of Lisbon; they then removed to their present home in the town of Pewaukee. They were without means, but as both were industrious and frugal the road to success was made much shorter and easier. In order to purchase their farm it was nece.ssary to go in debt 13,500, which in course of time was paid off; a beautiful home and large barns were erected and other improvements made. The home and all its surroundings evince enterprise, taste and culture. The unimproved farm with its log cabin has been transformed by Mr. Edwards into one of the valuable farms of Pewaukee Township. In addition

2&2 to farming be is interested in the dairy business. Politically Mr. Edwards is a true blue Republican, and with his party has been identified since he first voted for.luhn C. Fremont, giving every Presidential candidate since his unqualified support. His interest in political affairs h.as not been prompted liy selfish motives,.as he has never been an aspirant for places of public trust or emolument. He and his family are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the children belong to the Epworth League, of which Miss Irene is Second Wice-Presidcnt. The Edwards estate comprises one hundred and thirty-six acres of land on section 2, I'waukee Township, which has been the home of its present possessor for nearly a third of a century.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches of old settlers and representative citizens of the county (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.