J. H. EDWARDS.

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          Among the citizens of Louisa county, now deceased, whose names are held in loving remembrance was J. H. Edwards, who died October 19, 1888. He spent nearly his entire life in this county and by his industry, enterprise and good judgment accumulated a competency, becoming the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which he bequeathed to his family.

          He was born in Blount county, Tennessee, May 17, 1842, a son of Madison and Esther (Johnston) Edwards, both of whom were natives of Blount county, Tennessee. The family came to Louisa county, Iowa, in the ‘40s and located on government land. Both the parents are deceased, the father having died many years ago, and the mother’s death occurring June 10, 1911, at the age of eighty-seven years.

          The only son of his parents, J. H. Edwards grew to manhood at his mother’s home, and he possessed such advantages of education and training as were available in the country districts in Iowa in the years preceding the Civil war. After arriving at maturity he began farming on his own account, applying himself with a diligence that soon yielded substantial returns. He became the owner of a productive place in Union township, the neat appearance of the farm indicating that he gave to it his close attention. He was a general farmer and also engaged in stock-raising, and as he was thoroughly acquainted with the most approved methods he marketed his stock to good advantage.

          On September 4, 1866, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage in this county to Ella T. Carson, a native of this county and a daughter of Mark and Mary (Colton) Carson, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in the pioneer days and settled in Louisa county upon government land, which became the family homestead. Ella T. was their only child. Her father went to California during the gold excitement of 1849 and it is supposed that he died there. His widow and daughter then lived with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were the parents of ten children; namely: Margaret H., now deceased; Harry L., who makes his home in this county; Mary M., a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bessie, who married Charles Holada, of Columbus Junction; Roy, of South Dakota; Grace, . . .

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. . . the wife of Harry L. Foster, of Johnson county, Iowa; Maud, who married M. McGuire, of Louisa county; Rose, at home; and Nellie and Mark, both of whom are deceased.

          Mr. Edwards voted in support of the democratic party and was from the time of casting his first ballot an earnest supporter of its candidates and principles. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order whose teachings of brotherhood he greatly admired. Successful in his calling, he wielded an influence for good wherever he was known, always doing what he could to advance the permanent interest of the community. Mrs. Edwards still owns two hundred acres of the old homestead, and also is the owner of a fine residence in Columbus Junction, where she makes her home. She has a large circle of friends throughout this section and is a consistent member of the German Reformed church, with which she has been connected for many years.