The widowed mother removed to St. Louis City, and there reared her little family, acquitting herself in the great responsibility as only a true Christian mother can. She surmounted all the difficulties incident to one who was left without any resources, and her children are living examples of the fact that she did nobly. Edson learned the trade of a blacksmith and wheelwright, and thereto gave the rest of his busy life. He came to Winchester in 1847, bringing with his wife, whose maiden name was Martha Shibley, and to whom he was married at St. Louis, Mo. Here he reared his family and prosecuted faithfully his chosen avocation, accumulating thereat a handsome competency. He was known and respected as an honest man and a consistent Christian, being always mindful of his obligation to God and to man. His devotion to his family was proverbial, and the church to which he belonged, the Methodist Episcopal, had upon its rolls no man who was more devoted to its tenets. He was an enthusiastic member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Winchester, and was ever found ready to do his part in charitable works. In fact, there are not any of the duties of good citizenship in which Mr. Waters was delinquent. In the death of such a man the world sustains a great loss.
His widow survives him, and is now living at Winchester, and at the time of the writing of this sketch (1889) is about fifty-seven years of age. Of her children the following is believed to be a correct record: William Howard is the successor in his father's business; Eliza Jane is the widow of A. J. Hoover; Mary K. is the wife of E. G. Reynolds, now of Pueblo, Col.; John T. is a coal operator at Moberly, Mo., and is married; Edson R., Jr., is in business in Winchester; Marthelia died in infancy; Charles F. also died while very young; Ada Virginia is the wife of William A. Wells, a dealer in livestock at Winchester; Harry Moreland died at the age of eighteen years; Emma Nevada is a young lady, now in Colorado, and Forrest Rippey is a cigar manufacturer.
Edson R., Jr., to whom we are indebted for much of the foregoing information, is one of the married sons of the family. He was educated in the common schools, and has been in active business, which he has prosecuted successfully, ever since arriving to man's estate. His characteristics are that of a promising business man, and, it is safe to predict, that his name will be placed high on the roll of men who make a prosperous community. About eight years of the life of Edson R., Jr., were spent in Missouri and Kansas, and he has been in business in Winchester since 1884. He was married to Miss Julia Burns Jan. 19, 1887, and a bright baby boy in the household hears the euphoneous name of Russell.