MR. WILLIAM JONES EDWARDS, PORTAGE, COLUMBIA COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
William Jones Edwards, an honored veteran of the Civil War and a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Columbia county, now makes his home in Portage. His early life was spent upon the other side of the Atlantic, being born in Dyffryn, Merionethshire, Wales, January 16th, 1843. His father, Captain William Edwards, went to sea when a boy, and finally became commander of a brig engaged in the coasting trade between Wales and Ireland.On coming to the United States in 1849, he located on a farm in Caledonia township, Columbia county, Wisconsin, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. There he died about 1875, at the age of sixty-three years. He was active in support of public schools, and served as an officer in his district for a number of years. In early life he married Susanna Jones, also a native of Dyffryn, and a daughter of John Jones, a farmer who lived and died in Merionethshire, Wales.
Our subject's paternal grandfather, Edward Edwards, was also a farmer by occupation, and a lifelong resident of Wales. Mrs. Susanna Edwards died in Portage, Wisconsin, in September, 1898, at the age of eighty-eight years. She was the mother of five children: Edward, who died in boyhood; Gwen, wife of Evan R. Evans, of Racine, Wisconsin; John, who died in boyhood; William J., our subject; and Robert, a resident of Portage.
William J. EdAvards was only six years old on the emigration of the family to America, and attended school more or less regularly in Columbia county, his services being needed on the home farm after the death of his two older brothers. In August, 1862, he joined the boys in blue of Company C, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the department of the Gulf. From Memphis the regiment went to Haines Bluff, taking part in the engagement at that place, and from there went to Arkansas Post. For forty-seven days they participated in the siege of Vicksburg, were also in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, and later went to New Orleans, where they joined General Banks' Red river expedition.
On their return they were in camp at Baton Rouge for a time, and then proceeded to Mobile, aiding in the capture of Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley. They were at the last named place at the time of Lee's surrender. During the Red river campaign Mr. Edwards was slightly wounded in the left arm by a spent ball. He took part in fourteen battles, and was constantly in active service with his company for nearly three years, when the war ended and he was honorably discharged at Mobile, Alabama, July 4th, 1865.
Returning home Mr. Edwards resumed farming in Caledonia township, where he still owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 17, 20 and 21, but since 1897 has made his home in Portage. During the summer season he is employed as a bridge tender by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company.
In June, 1870, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Miss Mary Owens, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Roberts) Owens, and a native of Schuyler, Herkimer county, New York, her parents having come from Wales and resided in the Empire state for a number of years. In 1855 they came to Caledonia township, Columbus county, Wisconsin, where the father died a few years later, and where the mother, also, died after surviving him some years. Her mother, Mrs. Gwen Roberts, died in New York, at the age of eighty-one years. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, three died in infancy. Those living are: Thomas, a carpenter of Baraboo, Wisconsin; and Susan.
Mr. Edwards is a deacon of the Baptist church at Portage, with whioch all the family are connected, and he is also a member of Rousseau Post, G. A. R., in which he has served as junior vice-commander. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican party, but has never been an active politician. He has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and in days of peace as in time of war is loyal to his adopted country.