Untitled Document

FRANK HERBERT EDWARDS.

Among the many agriculturists of Western township, who have now relin quished the burdensome cares of farm life, is Frank Herbert Edwards, whose home is on South State street, Geneseo. Although he has resigned the heavier responsibilities of his vocation he still retains an interest in farming, for he still owns five hundred and sixty acres of land in Western township. He was born in Moline, Illinois, on the 2d of August, 1857, and has grown up upon the property secured by his paternal grandfather, William Edwards, almost three-quarters of a century ago.

The latter was born and reared in the town of Brattleboro, Vermont, where he was united in marriage to Miss Hulda Bangor. In 1835 the couple made the journey across the mountains and prairies to Greene county, Illinois, where Mr. Edwards spent the winter teaching school. In the spring of the next year, he bought a tract of land where the city of Moline now stands and upon it passed the remaining years of his life. His son, Herbert R. Edwards, grew up in that locality and in the course of years married Miss Harriet

Gordon. Of their union were born seven children: Carrie M., who married F. M. Stewart and died in Colorado, leaving five children; Frank Herbert, the subject of this sketch; Clarence, who has married and is a civil engineer in Kearney, Nebraska; Flora B., who is the wife of William Tully and lives in Grand Island, Nebraska; Grace F., who became the wife of Clarence Ward, of Atkinson township, this county; Nellie, who married Abel D. Ward; and Charles. About 1866, the father removed to Western township, where he acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land and where his death occurred November 21, 1874. His wife is still living in Geneseo at about the age of seventy-six and has witnessed the success which has come to her children.

Frank Herbert Edwards spent his boyhood under the parental roof and at tended the district schools of his locality. After the death of his father he assisted his mother in the operation of the home farm, for as the oldest son the heavier burdens naturally fell upon his shoulders. He inherited a small tract of land, when he attained his majority, but he added to it continuously as the years passed, buying several of the shares in the homestead belonging to his brothers and sisters, until the farm in his possession today represents the greater part of a section. In 1908 he built a new home of cement blocks, which is as fine a structure of its kind as may be found in Western township. These material evidences of his success afford no insight into the reputation he has attained among his fellow townsmen but as an able farmer and a man of sound principles, he is well entitled to the respect they accord him.

On the 23d of January, 1883, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Smith, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, but at that time a resident of Livingston county, Illinois, whither her parents had moved. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards : Ella B., who is the wife of William Tennant, Jr.; H. Royce, who was born October 29, 1887 ; Ethel H., who graduated from the Geneseo high school with the class of 1909; and Elwood Glenn, who is now in the public school. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Congregational church of Geneseo, and has always given his support in political matters to the republican party. He has, however, neither been active in its ranks nor in the public life of his locality.

History of Henry County

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Illinois Ancestors