Edwards, John W.

EDWARDS, GILLUM, SUMMEY, DAWSON, GARNANT, SIMPSON, FRANKLIN, RATR, ROMANS, MCCROSKY, MORTIMER, FARRIS, DEHOET, LUFKIN, MINEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 13:25:57

Edwards, John W.

Among the honored and worthy citizens of Jasper County who have taken an active part in the general development of their community and won an envied reputation for wholesome living is John W. Edwards, who was born in Fayette County, Iowa, May 18, 1858, and he is the son of Elias E. and Abigail M. (Gillum) Edwards, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller and in later years a farmer. They grew to maturity, were educated and married in the East and came to Fayette County, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Auburn, where the father conducted a general store until 1865, when he moved to Jasper County, where he purchased twenty-nine acres of coal lands near Monroe upon which he opened a coal bank, selling to the local trade. In 1898 he sold out and came to Reasnor, where he led a retired life until his death, in 1902, at the age of seventy-five years, the death of his wife occurring in October 1909, when seventy-nine years old. The father was a well-known, substantial and influential citizen, prominent in local politics. He has the good will and respect of all who knew him. In his family were six children, all of whom are living, namely: Mary E. Summey, wife of J. W. Summey, a farmer living in Canada; Emma C. married John M. Dawson, a farmer and carpenter, living near Monroe; Alpharetta M. married Frank Garnant, who resides at Monroe; Ella E. is the widow of John M. Simpson, and lives at Reasnor; John W., of this review; Leota M., wife of J. M. Franklin, a former resident of Missouri.

John W. Edwards received a good education and began life for himself as a farmer in Cass County, Iowa, in 1879, continuing thus for five years. He then operated a coalmine near Monroe for five years, after which he purchased a farm near Reasnor and farmed for two years. He then sold the farm and purchased the general store of Caldwell & Son in Reasnor, which he still conducts, having built up an extensive trade with the town and surrounding country through his honest and courteous dealings and the fact that he always carries a large and carefully selected line of goods, handling a general line of groceries, clothing, shoes, notions, hardware, in fact, almost everything used by the farmer and general public, and, according to the statement of many of the long-time customers of his neatly kept and well arranged store, his prices are always right.

On July 20, 1879, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Sarah E. Rater, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Romans) Rater, natives of Kentucky, both now deceased, after long and active lives on the farm, the father dying in 1904, and the mother in 1910, while living in Reasnor. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom seven are living, namely: W. G. is farming in Adair County, Iowa; G. A. is farming near Reasnor; John P. and Martha, wife of Zoro McCrosky, are deceased; Sarah E., wife of Mr. Edwards, of this review, was born June 26, 1861, and she was called to her reward on September 13, 1909. She was one of the most popular and best beloved women in Reasnor and vicinity, possessing those rare attributes of head and heart that win and retain friends. Her beautiful Christian character was reflected by the numerous kindly deeds she performed for those about her. Upon the eve of her death a most remarkable incident occurred, which indicated her perfect faith. While her husband and family waited about her bed for the final summons of the white-winged messenger to bear her gentle spirit to a higher sphere of action, she clasped her hands together and suddenly uttered these words, while a look of indescribable rapture came over her face: Glory, glory, glory; Don't be afraid; there is nothing to fear. He has answered my prayers. He has put my feet upon the solid rock, Christ Jesus. Glory Hallelujah! Glory Hallelujah! Praise His name, praise His name!

The other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rater are Philene, wife of Charles Mortimer, a farmer living in Adair County; Asbury D. is also farming in Adair County; Mary is the wife of James H. Farris, a farmer living near Monroe; Lulu D. is the wife of Peter DeHoet, a farmer living in Minnesota; Florence D. is the wife of William Lufkin, a farmer near Reasnor.

To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were born three children, all living, namely: Effie May, wife of Fred Minen, who resides in Reasnor, was born May 30, 1880, in Jasper County; Attie Faye, born in Cass County, Iowa, December 27, 1882, is living at home; Laurence E., or Pete, as he is familiarly called, was born in Cass County, Iowa, December 16, 1884, and is living at home.

Mr. Edwards is a member of Jasper Lodge No. 168, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Monroe. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Reasnor, of which he is at present secretary and treasurer, also trustee. He was steward of the same for ten years, and superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years; in fact he has always been an earnest Church worker and a liberal supporter of the Church. He is easily one of the very foremost citizens and businessmen of Reasnor and the southern part of the County; politically, he is a Prohibitionist, and he takes the interest of a good citizen in all public movements for the general welfare of the locality. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1186.