Edwin H. Edwards

EDWIN H. EDWARDS, who for many years has been one of the most enterprising citizens of Parsons, Labette county, Kansas, is president of the Parsons Commercial Bank. He has been identified with many public enterprises, which have inured greatly to the benefit of the citizens of the community.

Mr. Edwards was born in Jefferson county, New York, August 31, 1833, and was reared and educated in DeKalb county, Illinois, whither his parents had moved in 1846. He first attended school in a little log schoolhouse, and subsequently attended Lee Center Academy and Mount Morris Academy. With C. L. Allen, now of Los Angeles, California, and Gen. Smith D. Atkins, now of Freeport, Illinois, he went to Savanna, Illinois, and established a paper, which they conducted for a few years. Mr. Edwards then went to Earlville, Illinois, where he was engaged as a merchant until 1875. On January 1, 1875, he located in Parsons, Kansas, where he was engaged in the hardware and implement business for many years, which he relinquished in 1883. He has been identified with the Commercial Bank since 1878, and since 1883 has served in the capacity of president. He is a man of superior executive ability, and of keen foresight in business transactions, and under his efficient management the bank has been exceedingly prosperous. He also built the Parsons Water Works, in 1884, in connection with Charles H. Kimball, who now serves as president of the company, - Mr. Edwards being vice-president and treasurer. The plant was rebuilt in 1892, at a cost of $226,000. He has also erected many modern buildings in the city. He enjoys the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens not only for his great business ability, but also on account of his many excellent traits of character.

In 1858 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Verona Palmer, by whom he has two children: Grace and Myra. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight Templar. Politically, he favors the Democratic party.