Augustus Ralph Edmonds, druggist, P. O., Miami. The subject of this sketch is of Welsh descent, and was born in Lancaster county, Virginia, September 10, 1844, and is the son of Elias B. and Malana J. Edmonds. His father was a practicing physician of recognized ability, and also occupied a prominent position in the politics of his time, several times representing the counties of Lancaster and Northumberland in the general assembly of the state. Under these influences surrounding him, the subject of this sketch was raised in the village of Kilmarnock, on the Chesapeake bay. At the age of sixteen he entered college, having no higher ambition than to fill the position occupied by his father. He prosecuted the study of medicine until the beginning of the war. When the Old Dominion sounded her tocsin notes of war her sons from far and near responded to the call, and among them was young Edmonds, who, though exempt from military duty by his youth, volunteered in company D., 9th Virginia cavalry, and served under Gens. J. E. B. Stuart and Hampton until the war closed. Returning to what was once a peaceful and happy home, he found that the ruthless hand of war had been laid upon the place of his nativity, his home in ashes, old associations broken up and destroyed, and it devolved upon him to care for those who were left unprotected. After a few years’ effort in this direction, like many others, he sought another home in the west. In March, 1867, he landed in Miami! After serving in the capacity of drug clerk for three years, he formed a copartnership in the drug business with Dr. J. N. Dunlap. After several years of pleasant business and social relations, the doctor’s interest was purchased, and since that time the business has been conducted under the firm name of A. R. Edmonds. On the 2d day of February, 1871, Mr. Edmonds was united in marriage to Miss Annie J. Saufley, daughter of J. A. and M. J. Saufley, of Miami. To them have been born five children: Janie, Gussie, Ralph, Raymond, and Chubbie.
