LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 32

R. H. EDMONDSON

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        R. H. Edmondson, a farmer, resided on section 35, Concord Township, where he was one of the earliest settlers, and was born in Tennessee October 8, 1830. His parents David and Nancy (Scott) Edmondson were natives of Virginia, and immigrated to Tennessee at an early day.

        They reared a family of five children, of whom R. H. was the third, and in 1836, went to Indiana, where the father entered and improved a claim, selling it on his removal to Louisa county, Iowa. Purchasing land in concord township, he improved an excellent farm, upon which he resided until hi death, which occurred in 1866, at age of seventy-two years.

        R. H, received his education in Indiana, came to Iowa in 1855, and settled on a farm in Concord township where he wedded Miss Catherine Jane Reeder, who was a native of Louisa county, born March 22, 1839, daughter of Micajah and Nancy (Stirling) Reeder. They were among the pioneer settlers if this county of 1837 and were farmers.

        In 1835, while residing in Indiana, Mr. Reeder entered the ministry, and had charge over a circuit for two years. After leaving Indiana, he joined the Iowa conference and served in Crawfordville, Fairfield, Yellow Springs, Des Moines county, and Jackson county, also as a local minster in Louisa county, for several years. During the years 1852 and 1853, Mr. Reeder served as a member if the state legislature, and was one of the honored pioneers of the county.

        After his marriage Mr. Edmondson resided on a farm, about three miles from Fredonia. He held various offices of trust, was a township trustee for several years. Mrs. Edmondson was a member of the Fredonia Methodist church, and both were among the highly respected citizens.

        Mr. and Mrs. Edmondson were the parents of nine children: William L., Nancy Jane McDaniel, Micajah R., George W., Emma May, wife of Thomas Carey, Artemicis, David, Mary and Robbie.

        Below we mention more fully those married: Micajah Reeder was united in marriage, in 1885, to Ida McCleary, Emma May became the wife of Thomas Carey, son of Aden Carey, in 1888; William L., in 1881, was united in marriage with Eliza crow, who was born in Louisa County, Nancy became the wife of Corydon McDaniel, son of C. McDaniel in 1880; G. W. married Lydia Stephens.

        Of the above families residing in Fredonia at various times, were Mr. and Mrs. Corydon McDaniel.