Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-19

semblvman. John Edwards, were met
by a detachment of Fort Winnebago
commandry, No. 4, of that city, of which
Mr.. Edwards has been a member the
past twenty years, and arrangements
were made for the funeral, which was
held in this city, Sunday afternoon at
2 O'Clock, under the auspices of Fort
Winnebago commandry.
PORT EDWARDS.
The funeral train arrived at Port Ed
wards Thursday evening at six O'Clock,
from which the remains were removed
to the residence of the deceased where
they remained in state until Sunday
afternoon.
RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.
On Thursday morning both branches
Of the legislature met, past resolutions
in honor Of their deceased member,
and then adjourned out Of respect for
him. His seat was appropriately draped
in mourning and flowers. Gala lilies
and smilax we're arranged about it.
Hon. John Winans, of Rock county,
offered the following resolutions which
were adopted:
WHEREAS, The earthly career of one of the
most highly respected citizens of the state has
been terminated in the death of the Hon. John
Edwards, member of this honorable body, and
WAEREAs, In his death the state has not only
lost one of its most enterprising, successful and
honored citizens, but also a legislator of sound
Judgment, unquestioned integrity and great
usefulness, therefore
RESOLVED, That a committee of five, three as
semblymen and two senators, be appointed to
accompany the body ofthe deceased to his late
home at Port Edwards.
RESOLVED, That the sergeant alarms of the
assembly accompany the committee and render
such service on behalf Of the state as the circum
stances require.
RESOLVED. That as mark of respect to the
memory of the deceased, the assembly and SEN
ate do now adjourn.
BIOGRAPHY.
"John Edwards was born III England,
September 18th, 1881, being in the six
tieth year Of his age at the time of his
death. He came to Wood county in the
year 1859, when but twenty-eight years
Of age, and was given charge of his
fathers interests in the firm of j. Ed
wards & Co., who operated a saw-mill
about half mile above the present site
of the mill now located at port edwards.
His father died in the year 1864, and
soon thereafter the property came into
the hands of the four Edwards brothers
John, George, William and Richard.
In the year 1873, Thos. B. Scott and
John Edwards jointly purchased the in
terest of the other three brothers, and
became the sole owners of this valuable
property. Thus it remained until the
18th day of last October, when the John
Edwards Manufacturing company was
incorporated, with John Edwards, L..
NJ. Alexander, Walter A. and T. B.
Scott as subscribers to the capital stock.
Mr. Edwards was married to Miss
Frances j. Morrill, on the 10th day of
January, 1861. One child, q daughter,
has blessed this union, and has been
their comfort and JOY all these years.
She became the wife of Mr.. l.. NJ. Alex
ander one year ago the present month,
and both have since done what they
could for the comfort and happiness of
their deceased father"
A MASON AND KNIGHT TEMPLAR.
"Mr. Edwards was a Mason of high
standing. He was u member of the
Grand Rapids Lodge No. 12S; of the
Chapter at Mauston; of Fort Winnebago
Commandry No. 4, of Portage; and of
the Wisconsin Consistory at Milwaukee.
His Masonic history dates from the Goth
day of October, 1860, when he look the
first of the thirty-two degrees of which
he aftervard became possessed"
POLITICAL HoNoRs.
Mr.. Edwards has held many public
positions. He was school treasurer of
his town from 1860 up to the date of his
death; was postmaster at Port Edwards
from 1864; was chairman of the town OF
Port Edwards since 1873; chairman OF
the County board in 1884 and 1885. He
was delegate to the National Demo
cratic convention held in st. LOUIS in
1888. and to the Democratic State con-
yention III 1890. He was elected mem
Der of assembly at the recent election
by majority of 297 over James w
Cameron, Republican.
THE FUNERAL.
During the forenoon on Sunday q
special train from Stevens Point arrived
containing fifty people; one from Mer.
rill and Wausau with forty, and one from
Marshtield with thirty-eight. At l:
O'Clock, noon, about forty members O.
the local lodge went to Port Edwards
also large number of intimate friends
! to accompany the remains to this
city. In the mean time the knight
Templars and Masons formed in line
and marched over to CentralIa and me-
the funeral pocession at the Hotel Lyon
where they counter-maTched and pro
ceeded to Opera Rink in this city. The
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