Contra Costa-Tuolumne-Inyo County CA Archives Biographies.....Edwards, Thomas 1812 - 
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Author: W. A. Slocum & Co., Publishers (1882)

THOMAS EDWARDS.—The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work,
was born in North Wales, April 5, 1812. When fourteen years of age he left his
native country, and commenced a sea-faring life, which he followed for ten
years. After quitting the sea, he soon obtained the position of mate, and acted
as such on several steamers engaged in the immense trade of the Mississippi. It
was at this time that he formed the acquaintance of Captain Roe, afterwards the
great pork-packer of St. Louis, and with whom he served five years as first
mate; of W. C. Ralston, then steamboat clerk; and also of J. B. Crockett, who
had but just commenced the practice of law. The friendship which began then
remained firm throughout life. February 19, 1843, he married Mary Pugh, who was
born in North Wales July 20, 1819. In May, 1849, he gave up his position, and
left the Mississippi, with its bustling life, being attracted to the far West by
the California gold excitement, towards which all eyes were turned. Having
passed the Winter of '49 and '50 in Louisa county, Iowa, he, with his wife and
three children, resumed their journey westward the following Spring to Council
Bluffs, where a company of about forty men and ten wagons was formed, Mrs.
Edwards and a friend from St. Louis being the only ladies in the party. The
final march was commenced early in May, 1850, via Fort Hall and Lassen's
Cut-off. After traveling a few hundred miles together, Mr. Edwards and family
laid over for a day on the Platte river to rest the teams, thus allowing the
remainder of the party to hurry on. The balance of the way across the plains was
made alone. The Fourth of July, 1850, was spent on Green river. After journeying
two thousand miles, California was reached in September, 1850, the first
stopping place being on Mormon slough, near Stockton, where they remained three
weeks. A hotel was then engaged at Green Springs, Tuolumne county, for five
hundred dollars a month, but after remaining there three months the owner raised
the rent, so they were obliged to move. A site was then purchased about ten
miles distant, on the same road, where they kept what was known as the Owen
House. The business of stock raising was also commenced. In 1856 the place was
sold, and the residence of Captain John Dent (brother-in-law to General Grant)
was then bought at Knight's Ferry for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of
the school advantages which that place afforded. A stock ranch was also secured.
The latter part of 1863, there being great scarcity of feed, it was deemed
advisable to transfer the stock beyond the Sierra Nevada, to what was known as
the Owens' river country, Inyo county, in which they were the second foreign
settlers. The business of butchering and furnishing the Government with meat was
then commenced, and was followed up until 1865. The town of Independence was
then laid out on this farm, which is the county seat. In 1867, they moved to
their present home on Carquinez straits, and engaged in farming and stock
raising. The farm comprises one thousand eight hundred acres. In 1881 an
arrangement was entered into with Mr. Heald, by which a foundry was established
on the place, and the town of Crockett laid out. The family consists of six
children, viz: Hugh, John, Thomas, David, Edward and Susan.

Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,
INCLUDING ITS GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION;
TOGETHER WITH A RECORD OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS; THE BEAR FLAG WAR; THE MOUNT
DIABLO COAL FIELDS; THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, COMPILED FROM THE MOST
AUTHENTIC SOURCES; THE NAMES OF ORIGINAL SPANISH AND MEXICAN PIONEERS; FULL
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; SEPARATE HISTORY OF EACH TOWNSHIP, SHOWING
THE ADVANCE IN POPULATION AND AGRICULTURE;
ALSO,
Incidents of Pioneer Life; and Biographical Sketches
OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
AMD OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO: W. A. SLOCUM & CO., PUBLISHERS
1882.

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