Lafayette Edwards, eldest son of James R. and Emeline (Kenyon) Edwards, was born August 11, 1846, at Canonchet. As a lad he attended the local schools of his native place and the well-known Gate School here. He was still very young, however, when he abandoned his studies and began his business career, his first experience in that line being as an employee of his father in the latter's mill. In the year 1876, when twenty-one years of age, he formed a partnership with Lafayette Godfrey, and engaged in the manufacture of cotton yarns. At the time of his father's misfortune, he purchased Mr. Godfrey's interest, and took his father for partner. Later, in 1874, he built a stone mill at Canonchet, where he carried on his businsss. His partnership with his father continued until 1882, when it was dissolved, since which time he has been engaged on his own account. He purchased the interest of Mr. Wells in the Newstone mill and in 1903 built a line and twine walk about six hundred feet long, which he has since operated in connection with his other plant. The Canonchet mill manufactures the yarn used in the manufacture of fish lines made in the plant of the Union Twine Company. April 20, 1916, a fire caused by lightning completely destroyed the plant of the Union Twine Company and which plant has since been rebuilt. He has also become interested in other enterprises here and is now the most prominent figure in the business interests of this place. The fish lines manufactured in the plant of the Union Twine Company have a market in all parts of the Western Hemisphere and the high quality and standards maintained by Mr. Edwards have given the product an unimpeachable standing. Mr. Edwards has given much time to the public affairs of this region and has served in a number of public affairs of this region and has served in a number of public offices here. He is a staunch Republican in politics and has been elected on the ticket of his party to the town council, upon which he has served for a number of terms. He has also held the post of assessor of taxes and has performed an invaluable service to the community. Like his ancestors before him, he is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Rockville. Although his success as a manufacturer has been very great, Mr. Edwards has refused to benefit selfishly by the results of his labors. He might have been a very wealthy man had he so chosen, but he has given so liberally to every undertaking, the aim of which is the good of the community, and in private charities, that he may be said to have shared his fortunes with his fellow-citizens. His philanthropy and kindliness have won for him the respect and affection of all those with whom he has come in contact, and he occupies to-day a unique position in the community. Mr. Edwards has always been devoted to good horses and has owned some very fine Morgan stock. Although the owner of four automobiles, he nevertheless prefers to drive a fine carriage horse, and indulges himself in this pleasure to this day.
Lafayette Edwards married (first) Carrie Tucker, daughter of John Tucker, of Carolina, R. I., of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He married (second), December 10, 1883, S. Mattie Tucker, a sister of his first wife, born May 22, 1860, at Carolina, and they are the parents of two children, as follows: Emory L., born October 1, 1888, and Monna Corene, born April 2, 1899.
