William S. EDGAR, b. 16aug1825
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biography from
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
WILLIAM S. EDGAR, deceased, a pioneer
of Mahaska County, was born in
Springfield, Ohio, Aug. 16, 1825. He was the
son of James and Margaret Edgar, who came to
Iowa in 1844, and settled in Cedar Township, Mahaska
County, when William S. was quite a young
man. Here he assisted his father in tilling the soil,
receiving such education as the common schools of
that day afforded. He was in reality a self-educated
man, was a great reader, a close student, and
possessed a wonderful memory. In 1845 he came
to Oskaloosa with his parents, when his father, who
was a carpenter and joiner, built the first courthouse
for the county. Soon after coming to the
city he started the first harness-shop in the county,
and conducted the business for some time. He
was subsequently appointed Deputy Clerk of
Courts, under Hon. M. T. Williams, serving in that
capacity two years, when he was elected Clerk of
the Courts for four terms, proving himself an
efficient officer, his management of the office being
creditable alike to himself and his friends.
Mr. Edgar was married, Oct. 20, 1851, to Miss
Sarah M. Kinsman, a lady of English descent, and
a daughter of Melitiah Kinsman. He was born in
Nova Scotia, and, when a young man, removed to
Susquehanna County, Pa., where he engaged in
blacksmithing. Here he became acquainted with
and was married to Miss Rhoda Wright. Six children
were born to them, three sons and three
daughters: Orson, deceased, came West at an early
day, when Iowa was a Territory; he built and was
proprietor of the first hotel in Oskaloosa, where he
lived for many years. Jerusha was married in
Pennsylvania to a man by the name of Sherman
Canfield, who settled in White Oak Township, Mahaska
County, at an early day; Mr. Canfield died
in this county several years ago. Tirzah married
Elijah Canfield, and resides in Polk County, Iowa;
Melitiah is a farmer, residing in White Oak Township,
this county; John N. is railroad agent at
Cedar, a station on the B. & W. R. R.; Sarah M.
resides in Oskaloosa. Mr. Kinsman died in Susquehanna
County, Pa., about 1830. The children,
soon after his decease, came West and settled in
Mahaska County, Iowa, the mother coming with
them, and residing with her daughter, Mrs. W. S.
Edgar, until her death in 1866. Mr. and Mrs.
Kinsman were members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church from early life.
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar became the parents of five
children, all of whom are living: Lillis J., born
July 30, 1853, is the wife of James Root, now engaged
in the marble business at Washington, Kan.;
Owen N., born Nov. 26, 1855, is engaged in the
hardware business in Washington County, Kan.;
Oscar S., born July 26, 1857, is Assistant Superintendent
of the Standard Coal Company of this
city; Sallie B., born March 8, 1860, is the wife of
Rev. William M. Semones, of the Christian Church
of Oskaloosa; Jessie M., born Aug. 4,1862, is the
wife of Prof. H. S. Philips, late of the Faculty of
Oskaloosa College, now Principal of the High
School of Oskaloosa.
After retiring from the Clerk's office Mr. Edgar
engaged in the nursery business, which he followed
for several years. He was an active working member
of the Republican party, representing it frequently
in its conventions, county, judicial, district
and State. He was Secretary of the Mahaska
County Agricultural Society for several years, in
the success of which he took an active and deep
interest. He was a man small in stature, but of
great vigor and full of life, and so continued until
afflicted with the disease which carried him away.
He was a Master Mason, and one of the first
initiates after the organization of a Masonic lodge in
this City, and was also a member of Hiram Chapter
No. 26, of this city, and upon his decease was
buried by that order, with all the honors to which
his rank entitled him.
In every avocation of life Mr. Edgar measured
up to the full stature of the perfect man. As a
county official the records kept during his term of
office are a monument to his ability in this particular.
In society he was a genial, social gentleman;
at his home a loving husband and indulgent father;
in his church, an acceptable and active member;
and by all who knew him he was a man greatly
esteemed for his noble qualities of head and heart.
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar were members of the
Congregational Church. His widow still survives, and
lives in Oskaloosa, where she is highly respected by
all who know her.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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