Person:Alfred Edwards (8)

BIOGRAPHY: Illustrated History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Mich. By John I. Knapp and R. I. Bonner Adrian, Mich. The Times Printing Company 1903 - Page 437 Alfred Edwards was born in the city of Adrian, October 19, 1843. His father, Daniel S. Edwards, was born in Glenville, Schenectady County, N. Y., February 8, 1807, being the son of Henry, born April 24, 1768, and Sally (Baker) Edwards, born August 22, 1769, at East Hampton, Long Island, N. Y. The ancestors of the Edwards family were Welch. The ancestors of Sarah (Baker) Edwards came from England and settled on Long Island, New York. Daniel S. Edwards came to Michigan in 1837 and settled in Adrian. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade in Ballston, N. Y., and followed that business in Adrian until 1850, when he purchased a farm on Section 30, in Adrian township, where he resided until 1872, when he went to Rome Center. He resided there for a years, and removed to Adrian, where he lived until his death, May 14, 1885. He was a prominent citizen of this township, and filled may positions of trust. He served many years as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. October 20, 1836, Daniel S. Edwards at Gorham, Ontario County, N.Y., married Miss Caroline A. Foskett, and they had five children, Alfred being the third. Mrs. Caroline A. (Foskett) Edwards was born in Pompey, Onondaga County, N. Y., September 2, 1807, and died in Adrian, November 22, 1850. Her father, James Foskett, was a native of Connecticut, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married Miss McClure, who was a native of Scotland, and became the mother of seven children. Alfred Edwards, subject of this sketch, was about six years old when his father purchased the farm in Adrian township. He was educated in the country schools and about two terms at the Normal School at Ypsilanti. He was always been a farmer and now owns his father's homestead on Section 30, in Adrian. His residence is a stone house, built by his father in 1857, and he has the most vivid recollection of picking up stone all over the farm and piling them up ready for use in the structure. Since Mr. Edwards arrived at manhood he has been active in public affairs, and has been a candidate for public office many times. He is a prominent Granger and was the first master of Adrian Grange. In 1897 the Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Lenawee County was organized, and Mr. Edwards was elected president, which position he still holds. He has been a successful farmer, and now owns 260 acres of land, having sold one farm in 1903. February 29, 1872, Alfred Edwards married Miss Julia Elizabeth Knight, daughter of William and Anna (Smead) Knight, of Adrian township, and six children, the first of whom died in infancy, have been born to them as follows: Gertrude Agnes, born August 13, 1876, graduated from Michigan University in June, 1901, and married, December 25, 1902, Lee Mighell, a lawyer of Aurora, Ill.; Merrick Knight, born June 25, 1880, just graduated from Michigan University; Sarah Elezabeth, born December 21, 1881, just graduated Michigan University; Mary Sophia, born September 23, 1884, student at Adrian High School. Mrs. Julia Elizabeth (Knight) Edwards born in Adrian township, Lenawee County, January 2, 1845. She was a graduate under Prof. Estabrook, at Ypsilanti, and was a student at the Michigan University, she being the first lady freshman to be admitted. Her father, William Knight, was an early settler of Adrian township, locating there in 1834. He first took up land in Rome, but afterwards exchanged for land on Section 18, in Adrian, which he owned until his death in November, 1901. He was a native of Massachusetts and was born at Northampton, January 17, 1807. He was the son of Erastus Knight, whose father, Joshua Knight, came from England and settled in Connecticut. William Knight was a prominent resident of Adrian township for over 67 years. December 24, 1834, William Knight married Miss Anna Smead, daughter of Rufus and Anna (Hawks) Smead, and they had seven children, Mrs. Edwards being the fourth child. Mrs. Anna (Smead) Knight was born September 14, 1810, and died July 4, 1885. She came to Michigan with her parents, from Massachusetts, in 1834. She was a pupil of Miss Mary Lyon before the founding of Mt. Holyoke College, at South Hadley, Mass.

CENSUS: 1900 United States Federal Census Name: Alfred Edwards Home in 1900: Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan Age: 56 Estimated birth year: abt 1844 Birthplace: Michigan Relationship to head-of-house: Head Spouse's name: Julia E Race: White Occupation: Farmer Household Members: Name Age Alfred Edwards 56 Julia E Edwards 55 Sarrah E Edwards 18 Mary S Edwards 15 Julia C Edwards 13 William Knight 93 Samuel Edwards 63 Samuel Mathias 58 Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan; Roll: T623 725; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 39.