Labette County Biographies
From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, 1894
A. F. EDWARDS, a farmer and contractor
residing in North Township, Labette
County, claims Kentucky as a state of his
nativity. He was born in Laurel County
in 1843, and is a grandson of William Edwards, a
native of North Carolina. His father, Charles
Edwards, was born in Wales, and bidding adieu to
that country, came with three brothers to America
during the Colonial days. All four aided the
Colonies in their struggle for independence.
Charles was killed at the battle of Yorktown, and
Thomas lost his life at Round Stone, Va., but the
other two survived the struggle. The parents of
our subject were John and Sarah (Elliott) Edwards. They had a family of twelve children,
who grew to mature years.
The subject of this sketch spent the days of his
boyhood and youth in Kentucky, and acquired his
education in the public schools. After arriving at
man's estate he was united in marriage with Sophia
Benjey, the marriage ceremony being performed in
1865. Previously he had enlisted in the Union
army as a member of Company L, First Kentucky
Cavalry, under Colonel Wolford, serving until the
close of the war. He also had three brothers in
the service, but none lost their lives in battle. Our
subject was always with his regiment, and participated in the engagements at Murfreesboro, Mills
Springs, Atlanta and the entire Georgia campaign.
He went with Sherman on the celebrated march to
the sea, and participated in the Grand Review at
Washington, the finest military pageant ever seen
on this side of the Atlantic.
Mr. Edwards began railroad contracting in 1869,
and aided in building the Cincinnati it Southern
Railroad. The year 1877 witnessed his arrival in
Kansas. Here he engaged in contracting with Mr.
Wolcott. They constructed the Kansas City &
Pacific Railroad from eight miles north of Parsons
to within fifteen miles of Paola. He also built ten
miles of the Frisco Line in the territory, and for
three years has been engaged in doing the repair
work for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were born six children: Irvin, Maggie, Sarah (deceased), Nannie,
John and Lee. Mr. Edwards has been a second
time married, the lady of his choice being Sarah
E. Chambers. Three children grace this union:
Arra Belle, Dellie and Effie. Eight of the family
are members of the Baptist Church and all are
highly respected people, who rank high in the social
circles in which they move.
Mr. Edwards has always been identified with
the Democratic party, and socially is a member of
the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of
United Workmen. His life has been a successful
one, and his business ability, combined with well
directed efforts and enterprise, has acquired for
him a handsome property. He now owns nearly
five hundred acres of good land, all of which he
has accumulated since coming to this county. He
is a man of sterling worth and strict integrity, and
his well spent life has gained him high regard.
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This website created September 18, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
� 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
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