Edwards, David F.

EDWARDS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:36:48

DAVID F. EDWARDS
born Apr 24, 1822, KY

David F. Edwards, deceased, was for many years one of the well-known and highly respected citizens of Warren county, Iowa. It was on the 5th of October, 1869, that he landed in Virginia township, this county, and on section 2 he purchased 120 acres of land, at that time only slightly improved. The little house which had been built before his arrival, and which now forms a portion of the family residence, was then the only one for miles around. The tract which Mr. Edwards bought was chiefly prairie. A few acres had been plowed, but the greater part of it was in its primitive state. The work of bringing the land under cultivation and making a comfortable home at once engaged his attention, and, as the years passed by, his earnest efforts were rewarded with fair success. Years before his death he and his family were nicely situated, and he left them in comfortable circumstances. David F. Edwards was born in Barren county, Kentucky, April 24, 1822. His forefathers were among the early settlers of the “Old Dominion.” William Edwards, his grandfather, removed from Virginia to Kentucky at an early period in the history of the latter State, there reared his family, and late in life removed to Monroe county, Illinois, where he died at a ripe old age. His son, John, the father of David F., was born in Virginia, grew to manhood and married in Kentucky, and lived there for a number of years afterward, and then he, too, went to Illinois, his location being in Warren county. At the time John Edwards removed to Illinois his son, David, was in his twentieth year and went to Monroe county and lived with his grandfather, William Edwards, about two years. The latter was there married, June 30, 1849, to Miss Martha S. Reynolds, a native of Kentucky who had accompanied her parents to Warren county, Illinois, when she was twelve years of age. Their marriage was consummated at a neighbor's house, the Rev. Alexander Davidson, a Christian minister, performing the ceremony which made them husband and wife. Of this union were born children as follows: Sarah C., born March 30, 1850, died October 8, 1852; William, born February 9, 1852; Warren C., born December 29, 1854, is a resident of Warren county, Iowa; Celestia, born October 28, 1857, died October 9, 1859; Harris and Harriet, twins, born November 26, 1860, both died in October 1862, - Harriet on the 16th and Harris on the 26th; U. S. Grant, born May 27, 1863, is at the old homestead and has of the farming operations; and David S., born October 8, 1866. After an active and useful life the father, David F. Edwards, passed June 17, 1889. He was in many respects a true pioneer, was public-spirited and ready to give his support to any enterprise movement which he believed would the interests of the community, and especially was interested in having good schools. He served most acceptably as Township Trustee. Politically he was a Republican. Mrs. Edwards still resides at the home place with her sons. She is a member of the Christian Church, is well known in the community where she has lived so long, and is greatly esteemed by all who know her. In 1870 she had the misfortune to have her right leg broken. It was not rightly set at the time, and for years gave her no little suffering. About four years ago amputation became necessary, and since that time she has used a cork limb. The sons, like their worthy father, are Republican in their political affiliations. U. S. G. cast his first presidential vote for the lamented Garfield. This son is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.444