My Genealogy Hound

Amos Edwards, ex-county judge, and farmer of Hooker Township, was born in Brown County, Ohio, June 5, 1842, being the son of Darius and Jane (Geeslin) Edwards, and grandson of Col. George Edwards, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1781, and came to Ohio in 1806. He located on 2,000 acres of land, where he remained until the breaking out of the War of 1812, and then served as colonel of his regiment. He was in a number of the leading battles, and was a brave and gallant officer. He took an active part in all political, national and public matters, and was a very prominent man in his day, being one of the leading men of the State, as well as one of the early settlers. After the War of 1812 he returned to the home place and resumed farming, but after the country had become somewhat settled he engaged in general merchandising, which he followed for many years. He was elected as representative to the Legislature for many terms, and was also a prominent member of the Christian Church. He made many public speeches, and when he got too old to stand up and talk he would sit in a chair. When the Civil War broke out he made one of the leading speeches of his life, directing the people to enlist as soldiers to protect the Union, put down slavery, etc. He died in 1880, at the age of ninety-eight years and eight months. His wife was also a native of Pennsylvania, and died when Amos Edwards was a small boy. She was the mother of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, but only two of whom are now living, Sandy and Orange; Sandy lives in Kansas, and Orange lives in Ripley, Ohio. Darius Edwards was born in Brown County in 1804, and was reared in that county. He followed farming, etc., all his life, and took an active part in church matters, being a member of the Christian Church. He died in 1879. His wife, Jane Geeslin, was born in 1805, in Brown County, and is now living on the old home place, where their son, Amos, was born. She has good health, is a member of the Christian Church, and is the mother of fifteen children, twelve of whom lived to be grown, and ten are now living: Josiah, Cinderella, George W., Alexander C., Darius (deceased), John B., Mary, Mandania, William H. H., Amos, Martha and Nancy J. (deceased). Sarah Ellen was one of the three that died when a child; the others died in infancy. Amos Edwards grew to maturity in Brown County, where he received his education in the common schools. October 3, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and served three years. In 1865 he was transferred to the invalid corps. At the cessation of hostilities he came to Missouri, Audrain County, where he remained six months. He then moved to Polk County, thence to Laclede, where he has since remained. July 14, 1867, he married Miss Sarah E. Freeze, a native of Tennessee, born May 21, 1845, and the daughter of Martin and Dorcas Freeze, who were old settlers of Laclede County. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were born eight children, six now living: Rosa M., Cora B., Charley D., Lula G., Lillie and Nettie (twins); and those deceased were named Ally D. and Floyd. In 1882 Mr. Edwards was elected county judge for a term of two years on the Greenback ticket. He takes an active part in politics, and affiliates with the Greenback party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.