My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH WILSON EDMUNDS was born in the village of Lee, Oneida county, New York, January 14, 1847, and is a son of Venner and Louisa (Hicks) Edmunds. Grandfather John Edmunds was a native of New England, born in the year 1782, and married Nancy Chapman (born 1784) in the year 1801. He died in his native State at the age of forty-three years. Venner Edmunds, father of Joseph W., and his wife were both born in Massachusetts, and both held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Edmunds was a democrat until the formation of the Republican party, after which he became a strong supporter of the new party. His death took place on April 24, 1881, at the age of seventy-six years.

Joseph W. Edmunds removed with his parents to the county of Chautauqua in 1850, at which time they located upon the farm which he now occupies. Like other farmer boys, his time in youth was divided between farm duties and attending school. He went somewhat beyond the common schools, completing a course at the Fredonia academy. He remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, when he entered upon the struggle of life on his own account. Besides carrying on the ordinary line of farm work, he also runs a large dairy, deals somewhat extensively in registered cattle, and is a manufacturer of maple sugar. In political creed he is a republican, and at the hands of his party has served as assessor, collector and postmaster. He is a man of unblemished record, morally and socially, and is a member of the A. O. U. W., and of the Patrons of Husbandry.

Joseph W. Edmunds united in marriage, on November 15, 1869, with Alice Brown, daughter of Henry B. Brown, formerly of Cheshire, Massachusetts. They have five children: Louisa S., Lizzie M., Marv C., Henry B. and Rozelle.