James Pendry Edwards 1875-1959

EDWARDS, CARLSON, CARLSEN, DURHAM, WHITE, WAGSTAFF, CORNFIELD, CLAYTON, SANSOM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/25/2014 at 18:24:42

Former Halfa Area Farmer Dies at 84
James P. Edwards, 84, long-time farmer in the Halfa area, died of a heart condition today at 9 a.m. at the Balmer Rest Home, where he had lived since November 11.

He was born in Wales and came to this country at the age of 20 to live with relatives at Carmen, Ill. He came to Iowa in 1913 and farmed near Halfa for 38 years. Two years ago he bought a farm on the edge of Armstrong.

He was married to Hilda Carlsen Sept. 25, 1901. Survivors include five children, Wilmot of Ceylon, Minn.; Mrs. Joe (Thelma) Durham of Westminster, Colo.; Mrs. Don (Lillian) White of Carroll, Raymond of Armstrong and Vernon of Estherville. Also surviving are a half-sister in New Windsor, Canada, and one sister, two half-sisters and one half-brother in Wales, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife on June 1, 1958, a daughter, Violet, in infancy, and one sister.

The funeral is tentatively set for Tuesday at Armstrong, but further information will be given in Monday’s paper. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 20, 1959)

James Edwards Was A Native of Wales
Last rites for James P.Edwards, 84, were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday from First Presbyterian Church in Armstrong. The Rev. Eugene Olson, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Estherville was in charge of services. The Armstrong IOOF lodge conducted graveside rites. Burial was made in Armstrong Grove cemetery.

Mrs. [Mr.] Edwards died Saturday morning, June 20, at the Balmer Rest Home in Estherville where he had resided since last November. He had been in poor health for three years and during the past two weeks he had been seriously ill.

James Pendry Edwards was born June 1, 1875, at Monmouthshire, Wales, the son of William and Elizabeth Edwards. He was the eldest of a family of 12 children.

At the age of 20 years, he came to this country to join relatives at Carmen, Ill. On Sept. 25, 1901, he was united in marriage to Hilda Carlson at Carman. Six children were born to his union.

In 1913 the Edwards family came to Emmet county. They resided on a farm in the Halfa community for 38 years, moving to their farm at the northwest edge of Armstrong three years ago.

At an early age Mr. Edwards became a member of the Baptist church in Wales, in which he continued to be a member. He was active in church work for many years and sang with the choir at Carman and at the Halfa Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the IOOF lodge.

Surviving his death are five children, Wilmot of Ceylon, Minn., Mrs. Joe (Thelma) Durham of Westminster, Colo.., Mrs. Don (Lillian) White of Carroll, Vernon of Estherville and Raymond at home; nine grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Hannah Wagstaff and two half-sisters, Mrs. Winnie Cornfield and Mrs. Chriss Clayton, and one half-brother, George, all of whom live in Wales, and one half-sister, Mrs. Gladys Sansom of Windsor, Ont., Can.

Preceding him in death were his wife on June 1, 1958, an infant daughter, Violet, his parents, one sister, three half-sisters and two half-brothers. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 29, 1959)

Home for Funeral
Mr. and Mrs. James Durham and family of Topeka, Kan., concluded a visit Wednesday in Fairmont and Armstrong. They came to attend funeral services for James P. Edwards last Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 30. 1959)