EDWARDS, Josiah

EDWARDS, MARSHALL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:19:46

JOSIAH EDWARDS 

Josiah Edwards, the popular and efficient mail messenger at Clinton, Iowa, was born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, April 30, 1839, a son of Anthony and Jane (Marshall) Edwards, both of whom spent their entire lives in that county. The mother died in October, 1869, aged sixty-five years, the father December 31, 1873, at about the same age. They reared a family of seven children, but only two are now living, namely: Anthony, a farmer of Chatham, Canada; and Josiah.

The subject of this sketch spent his early life at King’s Head Hotel, Harrow-on-the-Hill, where the members of the royal family received their primary education, and he there became acquainted with different members of it. He received his education in the schools of his native land, and continued his residence there until 1871, when he crossed the broad Atlantic, landing in New York on the 15th of October. Five days later he reached Clinton, Iowa, and here he has since made his home, though he once returned to England on account of ill health and spent two months. He had been suffering from dyspepsia, which was practically cured during his stay there.

When Mr. Edwards first came to Clinton he worked as a farm laborer until 1873, and then went to Negaunee, Marquette county, Michigan, where he worked in the iron mines with his brother one summer. On his return to Clinton he was employed by the Clinton Iron Works as a teamster for five years, and then worked on a farm for a short time. In 1882 he was appointed assistant mail messenger under Charles Ott, and in 1885 secured the contract in his own name under Postmaster Tole. He has held it ever since with the exception of six months in 1888 when he was local mail agent. By an order issued May 1, 1890, he was redesignated as messenger at Clinton for the five railroads, and has held the position ever since, having been reappointed three different times, the last in May 1900, with an increased payment of four hundred dollars a year. His duties have always been discharged in a most faithful and conscientious manner, and he has the best record among the railway postal clerks of any messenger between Chicago and Council Bluffs. They say that on reaching Clinton they are always sure to find the mail ready for them. When Mr. Edwards was first made messenger there were only seven mail trains came to Clinton every twenty-four hours, but now there are thirty-eight. He has one sub-messenger. In connection with the duties of his position he is also engaged in the baggage transfer business, and in this employs two assistants and two other teams.

Mr. Edwards is what the world terms a self-made man, his success in life being due to his own unaided efforts. In 1890 he purchased his present pleasant residence at No. 224 Seventh avenue. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Republican party. While a resident of England he was a member of he Ancient Order of Foresters, but at present is connected with no secret societies. In 1867, at Harrow-on-the-Hill, he was personally presented with a watch-chain by the Prince of Wales, now Edward VII of England, but he had the misfortune to lose it in Michigan in 1873. He also has a picture taken at Windsor, England, after a supper at which the Prince and Princess of Wales were present.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.