Roswell Allen Edwards

EDWARDS, BIRCHARD

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/17/2014 at 12:12:30

OBITUARY

EDWARDS

AT his home, the residence of his daughter, Mrs. C. E. Birchard, 1051 Arlington avenue, at half past 1 o’clock this morning occurred the death of Roswell Allen Edwards, known to the greater part of Scott count as Squire Edwards, of Le Claire. Two or three years ago he begun to feel the approaching of an ailment that proved in the end to be progressive paralysis.

The advance of the malady was regular and continuous. For several months past Mr. Edwards has been helpless, depending on the unfailing care of the relatives with whom he was lodged for everything. He passed away very quietly and easily.

Mr. Edwards was born in Washington county, New York, May 14, 1835, and was in his 69th year when he died. He was trained to the vocation of the carpenter and builder, his specialty being the building of boats. He was married at Willsboro, Essex county, N.Y. to Miss Mary J. Palmer, March 16, 1851.

The Empire state was their home for eight years thereafter, and then they came to the west, settling in LeClaire in 1859. This place was then in the rise of its important era as a steamboat point, and Mr. Edwards found there a suitable place for the establishment of his particular business. He worked there as a builder and mender of boats for years. When the LeClaire Marine Railway company was organized he had an active interest in it, was its leading spirit, and for 16 years was its president. In the course of those years he did a vast amount of work on the crafts of the upper Mississippi, and the excellence of that work carried his name up and down the river, as well as that of the town.

Mr. Edwards was always active in desiring and seeking to promote the welfare of his town. He was once honored with the office of its mayor, and for many years he held the office of justice of the peace, whence his commonly accepted title of Squire was derived. His probity and uprightness and his conscientious interpretation of the statue, and his unfailing desire to see even-handed justice done between man and man, made his court synonymous with the equitable administration of the law, and confirmed him in the office as long as he was willing to accept it at the hands of a satisfied people.

Mrs. Edwards died at LeClaire two years ago last march. She was buried on the anniversary of her wedding day. Mr. Edwards had retired from active business about a year before, and after her death, which was a sad shock to him, he came to this city and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Birchard, and here he has lived ever since. His only other daughter, Miss Carrie E. Edwards, was also an inmate of his home, and the two sisters united in bestowing filial care upon him in his declining days.

Mr. Edwards was a member of the LeClaire lodge of the United Workmen, but belonged to no other secret order. He was for many years an active man in the Methodist church, and his openhanded to the clergy of that denomination made his house known as a sort of Methodist preacher’s home. Its doors stood open to those men as long as they cared to stay.

Mr. Edwards is survived by one son, Frank A. Edwards, beside the two daughters named. The eldest of the family of four children, James H Edwards, died at LeClaire seven years ago. Of his immediate relatives only one is left, a sister, Mrs. Amelia Francis, of Ohio.

The funeral will be held at the home of Mrs. Birchard, at the number given, at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. Upon the conclusion of the services carriages will be taken for the drive to LeClaire, where the remains of Mr. Edwards will be laid to rest beside those of his beloved wife. The services will conducted by Rev. Mr. Doner, pastor of the Methodist church at Olin, Ia., the clergyman who conducted the funeral of Mrs. Edwards, and who has been for years highly esteemed by the family.

Source: The Davenport Democrat, Davenport, Ia., 07 Aug 1896, p.1.

ROSWELL ALLEN EDWARDS

A Prominent Resident of Scott County Passes Away.

R. A. Edwards, one of Scott County’s well known and respected citizens, and for many years a prominent citizen of LeClaire, died at an early hour this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. E. Birchard, 1031 Arlington Avenue. The announcement of his death has not been entirely unexpected, but it will be received with sincere regret and sorrow by a wide circle of friends in Davenport as well as his former home up the river. For the past year he has been an invalid and during the past few days the members of the family and other friends knew that his death was only a question of a short time. The immediate cause of his death resulted from paralysis and death came to his relief at 2 o’clock this morning.

The deceased was sixty eight years of age and has been a resident of LeClaire since the early 50’s until a few years ago, when he made his home with his daughter in this city. During his long residence in LeClaire he was tendered a number of public offices and met the requirements of all trusts placed in his care. In the early 80’s he was elected mayor of LeClaire on a prohibition ticket and also served many years as a member of the board of alderman. From 1880 until the time he removed from LeClaire he was justice of the peace. From a religious standpoint Mr. Edwards was a consistent member of the Methodist Church and a prominent pillar in the church of that denomination in LeClaire. From the time of its organization until after his removal from LeClaire Mr. Edwards was the president of the LeClaire Marine Railway and Lumber company. Three children survive him, Mrs. C. E. Birchard and Miss Carrie Edwards of this city, and Frank Edwards of Rock Island.

The funeral will be held from the late residence tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock with interment in the LeClaire Cemetery.

Source: The Davenport Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 07 Aug 1896, p.2.