Edmonds, David R. (1850-1927)

EDMONDS, THEILEN, EWERS, COOPER

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/7/2011 at 19:37:05

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
9-6-1927

BUGLE SOUNDS
FOR COMRADE
Dave Edmonds, Civil War Veteran,
Answers Last Taps
Sunday Evening
ENLISTED WHEN A LAD
Came to Le Mars the Year
Town Was Founded

D. R. Edmonds, a resident of LeMars since the town was founded, passed away at the Community hospital about six o'clock Sunday evening after a prolonged illness. Mr. Edmonds was a sufferer from asthma for many years, and in recent times had sought relief in California, at Hot Springs, S. D., .and other places to alleviate his malady by change of climate, making frequent trips back to his old home town. His illness never affected-at least as far as the outward world could judge, his temperament. He was always the even tempered, pleasant and jovial man to meet and his gifts and Information made him an admirable companion in circles in which he moved. He had by reading and observation acquired a fund of knowledge which was remarkable and was a most entertaining recounter of early day history, both national and local.

He came to Le Mars in the year the town was founded and this was his home ever since, although he traveled in different states widely at times and was away on many prolonged
absences.

Enlisted As a Boy

David R. Edmonds was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 16, 1850, where he went to school and when only thirteen years of age enlisted for service in Company A, Thirty-fifth Kentucky volunteers, at Louisville. His regiment was in a number of the big battles in the South during the war of the North and South. He served also in the Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry.

At the close of the war he was discharged from service and roaming westward landed in Sioux City, then a frontier post, and engaged in the trade of tinsmith. He came from Sioux City to LeMars in 1869 when the Iowa Central line was completed here from Fort Dodge.

He was united in marriage in 1861 to Miss Louisa Herman, daughter of a pioneer settler family which homesteaded land near where the town of Oyens now stands. Twelve children were born to their union, ten of whom are living. They are Dr. H. D. Edmonds, of Glendora, Cal., Dr. C. W. Edmonds, of Omaha, Neb., Richard Edmonds, Richmond, Cal., David Edmonds, of San Francisco, Mrs. Oscar Theilen, Mr. Claire Ewers, Miss Elsie Edmonds, Miss Esther Edmonds, all of Los Angeles, Cal., Mrs. L. B. Cooper and R. Edmonds, of LeMars. R. J. Edmonds is the present postmaster of Le Mars.

Knew Town from Infancy
Mr.Edmonds came to LeMars when there were less than a dozen buildings clustered on the spot. He saw and felt-the growth from a frontier village to a thriving little city rivaled by many, but equaled by few.

He engaged in the hardware business for a number of years and later was in the furnace and tinsmith business, being an expert tinner from boy.hood. Of late years, owing to his health, he had dropped active occupation and spent a good deal of time at Hot Springs and in California.

He was a member of Mower Post, G. A. R., and also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a charter member of Giblem Lodge No. 322, A. P. and A. M.

Mr. Edmonds, through his long residence and associations, enjoyed a large acquaintance and was universally well liked and esteemed. His departure marks the passing of another pioneer who did much towards the settlement and development of a new colony and wrought better than they knew for the comfort and welfare of coming generations.

The deceased will be accorded a military funeral and also will be given Masonic honors.

The funeral services will be held at the L. E. Cooper residence, 1000 Central Avenue SE., at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev, J. J. DePree, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.

Civil War Record
 

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