EDWARDS, S. A.

EDWARDS, CRAWLEY, SPENCER, DE VOSS, BOTT, GRIMES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 06:20:04

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 305-06. Chicago. 1915.

S. A. Edwards

S. A. Edwards, of Pleasanton, has built up a large produce business and is respected as a man of ability and good judgment. He was born in Pleasanton on the 16th of April, 1861, a son of Charles and Ann (Crawley) Edwards, natives of England and of Tennessee respectively. The father emigrated to America when a young man and located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, whence he removed to Pleasanton, this county. He was a carriage maker by trade and worked at that occupation here and in Leon until the beginning of the Civil war, when he left to find a more favorable location and was never heard from again, the supposition being that he joined the army and was killed in battle. His widow survived until 1902.

S. A. Edwards grew to manhood in Pleasanton and acquired his education in the local schools. Upon starting out in life on his own account he worked as a farm hand for three years, after which he rented land which he operated for five years. He was next with a railroad bridge gang for eight years and then turned his attention to the produce business, in which he is still engaged. He is energetic, pays close attention to all the details of his business and the volume of his trade is constantly increasing.

In June, 1892, Mr. Edwards was united in mariage to Miss Vena M. Spencer, a daughter of Elijah and Etta (De Voss) Spencer, who are now living in Oklahoma although for many years they resided in this county, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Edwards taught school in Pleasanton for thirteen years and was very successful in that profession. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have been born two children: Arthur L., who was married June 24, 1914, to Opal Bott and is engaged in the piano business in Humeston, Iowa; and Anna L., who was married November 25, 1912, to F. Leslie Grimes, of Leon, and has one son, Paul.

Mr. Edwards is a republican but has never desired to hold public office although he discharges all the duties of a good citizen. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Homesteaders, and his religious faith is that of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, of which Mrs. Edwards is a member. She also belongs to the Royal Neighbors, the Rebekahs and the Homesteaders. Mr. Edwards has been a lifelong resident of this county and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014