J.C. EDWARDS AND FAMILY, Smith County, TX ***************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com 22 May 2001 ***************************************************************** J. C. EDWARDS AND FAMILY. "Some Biographies of Old Settlers." Historical, Personal and Reminiscent. Volume I By Sid S. Johnson, 1900: Sid S. Johnson, Publisher, Tyler, Texas Chapter LXXV - Pages 306-308 J. C. Edwards was born in Polk county, North Carolina, August 10th, 1833, and lived there until he was a grown man. He removed to Wilkinson county, Georgia, in 1855, and lived there three years. In 1857, he married Miss Mattie M. Blow, a daughter of Geo. W. and Elizabeth Blow, of Wilkinson county. They had twelve children, of whom three are dead and nine living viz.: David M., Robt. Lee., Henry Grady, Joe Jackson, Benjamin Franklin, Mrs. Annie Toneray, Mrs. Laura Guinn, Misses Mattie, Louisa, Ella Izora. Those dead are John W. and two boys died in infancy. Mr. Edwards came to Texas in 1858, settling nine miles east of Tyler. Before the war he was overseer for the Noland's, near Winona. In 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Lewter's company, 15th Texas, and served during the war---part of the time with the engineer corps. He came to Smith county a poor man, but by his industry, economy and energy has accumulated quite a competency in this life. He has educated his children and they are popular in business and social life. His word is as good as any man's in this county and no mortgage covers any of his property. He is a leading farmer. David M. Edwards married Miss Ella Jackson, of Henderson county, Texas, in 1879. She died soon after the war. In 1883, he married Miss Izora L. Ansley, of Erath county. They had six children---Fred Patterson, Birdie Miller, David Francis, Bonnie, Corrie Inez, Runa Wadel. Robert L. Edwards married Miss Jennie Weaver, a pretty daughter of Josh Weaver, a prominent Smith county farmer and citizen. He is now one of the popular clerks of Taylor, Boon & Wadel. They have two children---Lucy May and Robert Lee. Henry Grady Edwards married Miss Joe Noble, the lovely daughter of Capt. S. E. Noble, of Omen, Texas, who is a Mexican and a Confederate veteran. They have two children---Catherine and Joseph Emmerson. He is one of the teachers in the Omen High School. Anna Elizabeth married E.H. Toncray, who died a few years ago. The widow lives with her father, and has one child---Henry. Laura C. married J.C. Guinn, who resides on a farm eight miles east of Tyler. They have two children---Mason Earl and Arthur Lee. Mattie, Louisa, Joe Jackson, Benjamin Franklin and Ella Izoro live with their parents. J. C. Edwards came to Texas a poor man, but by thrift, energy and perseverance has acquired a good estate, while his children are following in his footsteps in business and moral life. The Edwards family stand well and are a go-a-head people along the lines of business success; all intelligent and business people---the material that goes to make up a solid, substantial community. The elder Edwards is a fair sample of what a man can do in Smith county, if he only has the nerve and vim to go to work in a way to succeed will reach the coveted prize, as he has done. The way is open and success assured, if the proper tact is at hand and the full physical and mental force is put in action.