J[ames]. B. EDWARDS, farmer, section 22, Clinton Township, is a native of Hancock County, Tennessee, where he was born April 22, 1836, son of William and Mary (BISHOP) EDWARDS. He was the second of seven children, and when fourteen years of age his father removed to Davis County, Iowa, where the family resided three years, then removed to Clarke County. He was reared a farmer, and received he education in the common school.

He was married January 26, 1860, to Miss Sarah MINER, a daughter of R. H. and Sarah A. (WRIGHT) MINER.

In December [28], 1863, Mr. EDWARDS enlisted [as a Private] in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and was on post duty at Fort Smith, Arkansas, most of the time. He was [mustered out of service on July 20, 1865, Little Rock, Arkansas, and] honorably discharged in August, and returned to Clarke County, where he resided a few months, removed to Worth County, Missouri, where he lived until 1882, then located upon his present farm, where he has since resided.

He purchased this land of one Jacob HUNTSMAN. He owns 194 acres in a good state of cultivation and well improved, located one mile south of Redding. He has a good one-and-a-half story residence, well furnished, surrounded by native shade trees, a good orchard and small fruits, and everything about the premises indicates the thrifty farmer.

Mr. and Mrs. EDWARDS have two children living - Oliver H[arvey]., born October 31, 1861, and Elbert E., now thirteen years of age.

Oliver H. was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. he was married November 26, 1884, to Miss Mary E[mma]. ABARR, born in Ringgold County, and the daughter of Daniel and Ann M. ABARR. They have one child - Orville R.

Mr. EDWARDS is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and in politics is a Republican. He is a man very highly esteemed and is considered one of the leading men of the township. Postoffice, Redding.

NOTE: James' grandparents were Arthur EDWARDS, born September 17, 1786, New York, died April 28, 1860, Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa; and Freelove (CLOUSE) EDWARDS, born circa 1788, Virginia, and died January 1, 1859, Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa.

William EDWARDS was born January 30, 1914, Cumberland Gap, Claiborne (present-day Hancock) County, Tennessee, and died May 9, 1898, Grand River, Decatur County, Iowa. Elizabeth (BISHOP) EDWARDS was born in Claiborne (present-day Hancock) County, Tennessee, in 1806, the daughter of Joseph BISHOP (1763-1845) and Lucy (WEAVER) BISHOP (1775-1850). She died in 1843, Claiborne County, Tennessee, at the age of 37 years.

James B. EDWARDS died on November 11, 1916. Sarah (MINER) EDWARDS was born in 1839, and died February 11, 1895. James and Sarah were interred at Middle Fork Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Oliver Harvey EDWARDS was born near Hopeville, Clarke County, Iowa, on October 31, 1861, and died December 9, 1925, Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas. Oliver was married at Redding, Iowa, on November 26, 1884, to Mary Emma ABAR. Mary was born September 12, 1866, Redding, Ringgold County, Iowa, the daughter of Daniel Carl "D. C." ABARR (1828-1882) and Anna Mariah (POORE) ABARR (1844-1932). Mary died in Abilene, Kansas, on September 3, 1949. Oliver and Mary were interred at Abilene, Kansas. Oliver and Mary were the parents of nine children:

1) Orville Ray EDWARDS, born 19 Sep 1885, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA; died 14 May 1948, Enid OK
    interment at Enid, Oklahoma
    married 12 May 1912, Nevada MO to Tot Ellen SINCLAIR
    Child: Eleanor EDWARDS, born 27 Jun 1919, Abilene KS; married 1945 Robert HOOD

2) Zelma Maude (EDWARDS) FULLER
    born 12 Aug 1888, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA; died 25 Apr 1959, Kansas City MO
    interment Green Lawn Cemetery, Kansas City MO

3) Elmer Lee EDWARDS
    born 26 Apr 1890, McFall MO; died 22 Jan 1949, VA Hospital, Leavenworth KS
    Elmer was a World War I Veteran

4) Estelle Olive (EDWARDS) MOORE
    born 01 Jun 1892, Redding, Ringgold Co. IA; died Newport Beach CA

5) Claire Carl EDWARDS, born 13 Apr 1894, Knowlton, Ringgold Co. IA; died 20 Apr 1964

6) Ivor Elbert EDWARDS, born 15 Nov 1896, Garret KS; died 08 Sep 1938, Arrow Rock MO
    interment Arrow Rock MO
    married 1921 Clarksburg MO Margaret Clarinda DAVIS (1897-1972)
    Child: Ivor Elbert EDWARDS, born 14 Mar 1923, KC MO; died 14 Mar 1923, KC MO
    Child: Georgia Emma EDWARDS, born 01 Nov 1924, KC MO; died 03 Nov 1924, KC MO
    Child: Charles Elmer EDWARDS, born 21 Sep 1926, KC MO; died 01 Oct 1991, KC MO
    Child: Son EDWARDS
    Child: Son EDWARDS

7) Inda Merle (EDWARDS) HANDLEY
    born 11 Apr 1899, Pleasanton KS; died 08 Sep 1938, Excelior Springs MO

8) Oliver H. EDWARDS, born 13 Apr 1902, Pleasanton KS; died 16 Feb 1946, Kansas City MO
    interment Green Lawn Cemetery, Kansas City MO

9) Mary Emma (EDWARDS) NEWMAN, born 12 Jun 1908, Schell City MO

Elbert E. EDWARDS was born in 1873, and died in 1952, with interment at Redding Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. He married Lula M. WILLIS who was born in 1878.

The ABARR FAMILY genealogy is included with Ringgold County's Family Pages.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 379, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z