William Edmondson

EDMONDSON, MCCUTCHAN, HOLLAND, STRAIN, WILLIAMSON

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 15:36:31

From the “Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties Iowa” 1890
WILLIAM EDMONDS0N
William Edmondson, deceased, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Van Buren County of 1846. He was born in Rockbridge county Virginia, March 3, 1795, and was descended from an old Virginia family. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent upon his father’s farm and in his native state he was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary B. McCutchan, daughter of William and Margaret McCutchan, and a native of Augusta County Virginia, born on January 27, 1805, of Scotch and Irish descent.
Mr. Edmondson was a soldier in the United States Army during the War if 1812. Shortly after his marriage, he removed with his bride to Henry County, Indiana, where they resided until the spring of 1846, when they came to Iowa and settled in the northern part of Jackson Township, Van Buren County. They traveled by team, and endured all of the hardships and disadvantages, incident to the emigration to a new country. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, three sons and two daughters. Henry the eldest, died September 24, 1834; Sarah, died at the age of eight years; Mary J. is now the wife of J.C. Holland of Jackson Township; John C. married Maria Strain and resides upon the old homestead; William F. wed Clara Williamson, the present Postmistress of Milton, and is now Cashier of the Citizens’ Bank in Milton.
With the assistance of his sons, Mr. Edmondson improved as farm in Jackson Township, placing under a high state of cultivation the land on which he settled and which in return yielded him a golden tribute for his care and labor. He was appointed Postmaster of the Oak Point post office, in Jackson Township, the first established office in that township; being the second to fill the position. He received his commission in 1856, and his term of service continued ten years or until he was called to his final rest on October 13, 1866. On the death of Mr. Edmondson, his son, John C. succeeded to the post office, which he held five years and in turn he was succeeded by the youngest son, William F., who held the position ten years, so that the office was in the family for a quarter of a century.
In early life, Mr. Edmondson was a Whig and after the dissolution of that party became a Democrat. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church and lived upright and faithful lives. Mrs. Edmondson survived her husband many years, dying on January 27, 1886, on her eighty-first birthday. Both were highly respected and useful members of society.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.