Wakeman Edwards, 1826-1921; Vermilion Parish Obits, Louisiana Submitted by Kathy LaCombe-Tell Source: Meridional Submitted August 2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Meridional 3-12-1921 Edwards, Wakeman Wakeman, born 9-13-1826, died 3-10-1921 Judge Wakeman W. Edwards. On Thursday morning, at 7:55, at his late home "Grey Frairs [sic]" in Abbeville, Wakeman W. Edwards, was called to that great beyond from whence no man returneth. He was 94 years, 5 months and 27 days old. He was born at Charlton, Saratoga county, New York; September 13th, 1826. In 1847 he entered Union College at Schenectady, New York, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in the class of 1850. About 18 months previous to the close of the war [he] was conscripted into the Confederate Army, the company of which he became a member, formed a part of Bell's regiment; Harthorne's brigade in this he served until the close of the war. He was admitted to the bar in Louisiana and practiced law in Vermilion a number of years. During Gov. Nichols administration when the "regulators" were committing many depredations Wakeman W. Edwards was appointed by the Gov. to serve an unexpired term as Judge of this Parish, until the expiration of the term. He continued the practice of law until 1905 when he was obliged to retire on account of defective hearing. In 1857, Judge Edwards was married to Miss Martha Hollingsworth, to this union three children were born, the late Dr. C. J. Edwards, former editor of the Meridional, Mrs. Elizabeth Petty, and Ex-Judge William P. Edwards. During the many years he lived here he won the respect of the entire community. He was an upright law abiding citizen. In him the Meridional has lost a grandfather, and we shall miss him. The funeral took place from the residence at 3:00 p.m. Friday March 11th, with Masonic Ceremonies. Interment being made in Gracland [sic] Cemetery. ************* Meridional 3-19-1921 Resolution of Respect. To the Worshipful Master and Members of Abbeville Lodge No. 192 F. & A. M.: Your committe[e] appoint[e]d to draft resolutions of respect to the memory of our deceased brother Wakeman W. Edwards respectfully submit the following: Whereas, the Supreme Grand Master and Ruler of the Universe has seen fit to remove from Abbeville Lodge No. 192, F. & A. M. our esteemed brother Wakeman W. Edwards, who departed from this life March 10, 1921. Whereas, Brother Edwards has been an acceptable & examplary [sic] member of this lodge, has been an honored member of society, & a kind and helpful friend, a loving husband a useful and loyal citizen. Resolved, That in his death Abbeville Lodge has lost a worthy member, his family a loving father and society one of its valuable citizens. Resolved, That his virtue as a citizen and Master Mason are worthy of the honor, esteem and respect of this lodge, and that in token thereof for the memory of our departed brother Abbeville Lodge No. 192 F. & A. M. be draped in mourning and that the members of this lodge wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. Resolved, That the secretary of our lodge is hereby instructed to set aside a page of our record book for recording of these resolutions, that they may be published in the local papers, and that a copy be furnished to the family of our deceased brother as a token of our condolence and sympathy in their sad bereavement. Respectfully submitted, V. L. Caldwell H. A. Broussard J. R. Kitchell, Committee ********** Meridional 3-19-1921 Judge Wakeman Wakeman Edwards. Words can but feebly express the poignant grief of those whose nearest and dearest have been taken from them. Yet it seems fitting to attempt some expression of appreciation of a life so nobly spent that the mere mention of his name—Judge Wakeman Wakeman Edwards stirs the imagination. All of us, at some time in our lives, set up ideals. Few of us are able to hold to them. That ability to map out one[']s course in life with precision, and hold to that course in spite of adversity or handicap, is the quality that singles such a man out from the crowd and sets him in the front rank of men. Such a man was he. The details of the life on one whose memory could leap back over nearly a century would make an interesting chronicle. His life spanned a most important period of developement [sic] in the United States—from the time of ox-cart and flat-boat methods of travel to automobiles, submarines and aeroplanes[. F]rom the day when New England and the Coast States were the center of our civilization, to the present wonderful development of the South and West. From that period when each small community was self-sustaining—the days of homespun and the wooden plow—through to the era of industrialism and great cities, all interdependent. From days of slavery through the war for freedom—from the days of the private still to National Prohibition, and so on through the whole category of human at[t]ainment of the 20th Century. Such details would serve as a background against which to picture more vividly the true worth of his character, but they cannot be given here, although he has carefully chronicled them. The lessons which I have learned from my all-too-brief years of close association with him is this: that through war and peace, through panic or prosperity, in youth or in old age, he has never allowed himself to be swerved from the right. His integrity, high-mindedness and never failing good judgement carried him over every period and from each he emerged with greater knowledge, a deeper serenity, and increased faith in the ultimate triumph of good. The Civil War swept away his possessions, at a time in life when many men are about to retire and he was forced to start life over with only his knowledge to help him. Yet he was undaunted. By careful management he so arranged his affairs that the fruits of his labors in these later years of his life provided him his cherished home "Grey Friars," and every comfort he wished in his old age. And he lived in the truest sense of that word. Until he was ninety years of age his study of Astronomy gave him much solace and enjoyment and even after he was forced to give up the use of his telescopes, he daily observed all natural phenomena of the heavens. He translated the Greek and Roman masters, read history, studied the exact sciences and played his violin until failing sight compelled him to abandon them. Yet although thus removed from the main current of the stream of life, he remained always on the very edge of that current and kept in touch with every phase of life. He never grew old. His carriage was erect, his memory keen, his reasoning powers active, his humor unfailing, his faculty of observation remarkable and his spirit bouyant [sic]. Neither his family nor his friends, nor this community can yet fully realize how much they have lost. His work for education, Justice, Civic betterment and honesty in public affairs will stand as a lasting monument to his memory. And above all that subtle influence of a noble life, so difficult to describe, but so far reaching in its effects, has left its impress upon the Parish where he has lived and labored for nearly 50 years. It is vastly better and richer for his having lived. All whom [sic] knew him cannot fail to be different because of his love of Truth and Beauty, and his towering strength to stand for those ideals which, in every age, have signified the best there is in humanity. In his family and with those who had the rare privilege of know[i]ng him intimately, his lovableness and humor, together with that tenderness and spirit of chivalry which so often accompanies strong character, undiscovered or unrecognized by many, found free and daily expression. To them he bequeaths the possession of his influence upon their thoughts and aspirat[i]ons. And so, those who are left, saddened by the loss of his counsel and guidance, may gain some measure of comfort from the fact that, through our lives we may place and keep him among the Immortals, for "His influence, since it changes us and subtly touches, through us, our children and our friends," is "immotral [sic]." Ruth Chadwick Edwards. [Daughter-in-law]