JOSEPH EDWARD Joseph Edward, a prosperous horticulturist; devoting his attention principally to small fruits, strawberries and currants, is located in Ottawa County near Agnew, and is a long-time resident of his present locality. He has held with efficiency various local positions of trust, and for fifteen years has been a valued School Director and is now likewise Clerk of the home township. William Edward, the paternal grandfather of our subject, emigrated to Canada in the year 1847, accompanied by his two sons, but the father of Joseph Edward remained in his native country, Scotland, and was the trusty land steward of the Earl of Fife. Our subject, born in the year 1847, grew up to adult age in Aberdeen County, near Banff, and received his educational instruction in the public schools of his birthplace. Remaining in Scotland some time subsequent to arriving at his majority, he finally decided to follow the example of his paternal grandfather and seek a new home in America. In the year 1871 he finally bade adieu to the scenes of youth and, animated with the spirit of ambitious hope and courage, sailed for the land of promise beyond the sea. As was natural, our subject first located in Canada, and while in the dominion spent most of his time in Toronto and Montreal. During his residence in the city of Toronto he served on the police force, and was far from being a novice at the business, having been previously connected for five years with the Scotch police. In 1873 our subject emigrated to the States, and immediately located in Michigan, settling in Ottawa County, since then his permanent home. Three years later, in 1876, were united in married Joseph Edward and Miss Ellen Booher, a native of Indiana. Our subject and his worthy wife at once settled upon a farm, located seven miles south of Grand Haven, to which city Mrs. Edward had removed from her birthplace the same year. The six children who have blessed the union are in the order of birth: Mary, ten years of age; Maude, eight years old; Joe, a little lad of six; Millie, aged four; Jane, a little lassie of two; and Gordon, the baby of the flock. Mr. Edward owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, eighty acres of the homestead having been brought up from its wild state into most profitable cultivation. The entire farm when first purchased by our subject was covered by heavy timber, and hard work and tireless industry have been required to clear, cultivate and improve the fertile soil. The chief produce of the Edwards farm are hay, peaches and a large variety of choice berries, strawberries and currants, as before mentioned. Politically, Mr. Edward is a stanch Democrat, and has occupied, to the great satisfaction of the community, every office of the township with the exception of Supervisor and Treasurer. He was Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and his legal decisions, in accord with the law and evidence, were seldom carried to the upper courts. As an active member o the Good Templars, Mr. Edward gives earnest effort in behalf of the fallen, and firmly believes that temperance is the sure leaver with which to elevate the masses. While not connected by membership with any church organization, our subject is a ready aid in good work and benevolent enterprises, and is widely known as a man of liberal spirit and earnest purpose.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index