Edwards, John A. Mrs. 1840-1917

EDWARDS, THEOPHILUS, DAVIS

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 5/6/2013 at 16:11:14

Mrs. John A. Edwards was born in South Wales, in May 25, 1840. It was there she grew to womanhood in the environment of her ancestors, becoming identified with the interests which predominated them. Among others was the attraction for the simple religion of her fathers, and at the early age of 14 she united with the Welsh Methodist church. At the age of 23, or in 1863, she was united in marriage with Mr. John A. Edwards, and they established their home in the old vicinity for a few years following their marriage. In 1867 they left Wales, coming directly to Cambria, Columbia county, Wis. But they did not remain there very long for they were persuaded to join a large and important Welsh settlement at Lime Springs, in northeastern Iowa. Here Mrs. Edwards and her husband lived for about eleven years when they were attracted by the opportunity to acquire cheaper land in South Dakota and in 1880 they identified themselves with a Welsh settlement which was being formed a few miles south of the present town on Winifred. Here for about twenty-five years they lived upon the old homestead until approaching age made if advisable to sell the farm and retire to the cozy home which they built in the edge of town.

Not many of those who knew Mrs. Edwards during the last few years knew her during those years of toil and struggle when the country was new and it was a veritable struggle to make a living. But we know from our later acquaintance with her, what must have been her spirit during those years. Too many of us have shared her hospitality, have been ministered unto by her hands, and have seen something of her indomitable spirit, even as the end approached, not to have formed some idea of her worth and place in our midst. She was the sort of a person who went about doing good. She thought she could not do much, but was glad to do what she could.

Besides the husband there are left to mourn her passing from the earthly tabernacle, a brother, David Theophilus, 85 years of age, who still resides in Wales; and five children of another brother, who, for the most part at some time or other made their homes with their aunt and whom she cared for with most tender regard, as if they had been her own: William Theophilus of Davenport, Iowa, David Theophilus of Howard; Morgan and John James Theophilus of Iroquois, and Mrs. Anna Davis of Longmount, Colo.

The Howard County Times April 10, 1917 Page 7
Transcribed by Jill McCarville from the files of Janice Sowers