Charles K. Edwards

Charles K. Edwards, farmer, section 20, Orient Township, was born Jan. 29, 1846, o the Isle of Wight. His father, John Edwards, was born Nov. 9, 1803, in Wales, and is of mixed English and Welsh origin. He married Elizabeth Kinver, a lady of English birth, born in 1793, and in 1855 emigrated with his family to Oakwood, Victoria Co., Ont., whee he is now living, in advanced age. The mother died there June 3, 1877.

Mr. Edwards was educated in the public schools of Victoria County chiefly, and was sent for a few months to a school of higher grade. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and, on obtaining his kajority, rented a farm in the vicinity of his boyhood's home, which he conducted two years. Soon after he determined to test the runored advantages of the Peninsular State, and in December, 1870, he came to the township of Orient, where he made a homestead claim of 40 acres of land, to which his family removed in March, 1871. He has made a late purchase of 60 acres additional, and the whole has improved 50 acres; has also erected a frame barn of good quality, and suited to the increasing demands of his farm.

On coming to Orient township, Mr. Edwards drove an ox team from Lake Station on the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad, which then terminated there, and worked between seven and eight days to cut a road to his present place of residence.

He was married Jan. 29, 1867, to Mary E. Toole. She was born Feb. 24, 1845, in Oakwood, Ont., and is the daughter of William and Finette (Pillen) Toole. The former is a native of Pennsylvania and is of American birth and Irish and German descent. He was born in December, 1814, and is living in Oakwood, Ont. Her mother was of German extraction, born in POrtland, Ont., and died in Oakwood, Jan. 24, 1869, aged 47 years and four weeks. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are recorded as follows: Finette S., born Oct. 5, 1869; William W., May 28, 1872; Cecil W., June 27, 1874 (died by accidental drowning May 19, 1877); Sidney J., June 28, 1876; Clarence B., Dec. 3, 1878; and Percy B. Sept. 2, 1882.

Mr. Edwards is an asherent and sustainer of the principles of the Republican party. He served a vacant term as Justice of the Peace, and was elected to the position twice successively, discharging its incumbent duties 11 years. He has been Highway Commissioner three years, School Inspector five years and Moderator three years. Mrs. Edwards belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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