My Genealogy Hound

JOHN V. B. EDWARDS. One of the most pleasant and comfortable homes of Xenia, Greene County, is that owned by Mr. Edwards and occupied by him continuously since April, 1866. It is a very substantial, large, old-fashioned residence, located near the heart of the city on the corner of Third and West Streets, and surrounded by five acres of land, with smooth lawns and ornamental and shade trees. Mr. Edwards is a retired farmer, and still owns a fine farm of three hundred and five acres in Ross Township.

The Empire State was the early tramping ground of Mr. Edwards and in Kinderhook he was born June 22, 1812; he is the son of Elijah and Catherine (Van Buren) Edwards, the former born in Connecticut, not far from the city of Bridgeport, and the latter in Kinderhook. Mrs. Edwards was of a distinguished family, her cousin being Martin Van Buren, President of the United States. Elijah Edwards was by occupation a tiller of the soil, and when John was quite a boy, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Oneida County, and there the father died in 1864. The mother passed away in 1871. Mr. Edwards was a quiet, generous man, more devoted to his family than to any political affairs, and was a consistent and worthy member of the Baptist Church.

A family of five children came to Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Edwards, and they were named respectively: Nichols, John V. B., Charles W., Charlotte, and Catherine. Charlotte married Mr. Van Deusen and died in 1889 at Howell, Mich.; Nichols, resides in Waterville, N.Y.; Charles W. died in Iowa, May 23, 1889. The education of our subject was gleaned from books conned in rude log schoolhouses, in districts where the family resided, and was further increased by a course of study at Waterville Academy.

When ready to start out in life for himself Mr. Edwards came to Licking County, Ohio, and bought a good farm in Lima Township, which he improved by building a log cabin in the woods and clearing the land of the timber on it. He also erected out-buildings for the shelter of stock and storage of grain, and fenced the estate, subdividing it into pastures. He finally became the owner of four hundred acres of land there, and after his marriage left the old house to take possession of a more convenient and modern dwelling. On the estate he made the usual improvements suggested by the enterprising farmer, planting out an orchard, enclosing and sub-dividing the land with fences, erecting a commodious barn, setting out ornamental and shade trees, and still further embellishing it by a driveway of various trees, and a fine lawn.

At this pleasant homestead six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, and were named respectively: Catherine, who became the wife of D. Bemo, of Indian Territory; Francis, Charles, Ada, Jesse and Delia, now Mrs. S. Bonner, of Warren County, this State. These children were trained to become useful members both of society and business circles, and now reside mostly in Ohio. In 1864 Mr. Edwards sold his land and spent one year visiting the old home in New York, whence, returning to Ohio, he purchased a fine home for his declining years. By making his home in Xenia, he was able to take advantage of the excellent opportunities that city afforded for granting classical and finished educations to his children.

Not only has our subject accumulated a competence for himself, but he has assisted his children in starting in life, and recently deeded a farm of one hundred acres in Warren County to his daughter. He now owns a large number of houses in Xenia, and the rents therefrom bring him in a comfortable income. His property represents his unaided efforts, and is the result of industry combined with good business judgment. His life illustrates forcibly to young people what can be done by intelligent and well directed labor. He is highly spoken of among bis numerous acquaintances, and is esteemed as an honorable and upright man, of strict integrity. He has no political aspirations, but casts his vote with the Republican party.

Mrs. Edwards, who for forty-three years has been the devoted companion of her husband, bore the maiden name of Adaline C. Hall, and was a native of New York State. Her parents, John and Tempe (Reeve) Hall, moved at quite an early day to Michigan, where the parents died. Mrs. Edwards was united in marriage with our subject, April 29, 1847, in Ohio, and after their union they located in Licking County, Ohio. Mr. Edwards justly attributes much of the success which has met his efforts to his wife, who is possessed of a generous fund of practical knowledge, and whose refinement and pleasant womanly qualities make her a favorite in society wherever she may be.