Imperial Valley press., 1933-07-21
DEATH CLAIMS
v. A. EDGAR
Pioneer Resident Of Valley Dies
At Local Hospital Following
Recent Operation.

Death came to w. A Edgar IS,
shortly after noon today and I'M
perial Valley lost one of its earliest
settlers and man who gave the
best years of his life to the develop
ment of the region where he set
tied as young man.
He died at local hospital from
complications following an appen-
dicitis operation performed recent
ly. He was stricken suddenly and
his condition was serious from the
beginning of his illness. He ling
cred for days in a semi-conscious
condition while his rugged consti-
tuition and intrepid will fought to
overcome the creeping poison oc-
casioned by his ailment.
His wife, daughter and brothers,
who were summoned to his bedside
yesterday when his condition be-
came alarming, were present when
the end came.
In w. A. Edgar his family lost a
loving and greatly beloved husband
father, grandfather and brother
and friends ano acquaintance in
all sections of the valley lost 10y
al and helpful neighbor.
Mr.. Edgar was born in Mitchell
county, Iowa, September 10, 1867.
When Mr.. Edgar was young
man, a school teacher, he rode a
bicycle over the barren desert which
later he saw develop into a rich
cultivated area of homes and little
cities. He arrived in the valley in
1901, one of the first pioneers, and
had made his home here through
out the changing and swiftly NOV
ing 33 years which followed.
Mr.. Edgar arrived at Blue Lake
October /, 1901, with his wife ano
brother, Arthur. He began his ca
reer in the valley by hauling freight
from Flowing Wells, later, with his
three brothers, organizing Edgar
Brothers company, first of the large
business concerns in this section OF
the state.
The name of w. A. Edgar ap-
pears on the list of many commun-
ity organizations down through the
years and always was among those
striving for civic betterment. He
was widely know for his strictly
moral and upright character. His
fiery type of oratory made him :
foe to be respected in any contro
sersy. ... ....z.
First lmperiai Mayor
He was foremost of the Edgar
family members in public affairs
being an early director of Water
company No. 1, first mayor of I'M
perial, in which city he maintained
his residence, and helped to estab-
lish all the schools, libraries and
lodges which came in the wake OF
valley beginnings.
In June of 1904, Mr.. Edgar be-
came a member Of the first board
of trustees of Imperial and the
first mayor of that town, the
mother city of the valley. He
served as mayor in 1904 and 1905
immediately 3onowing incoL'pora-
ton.
He played an important part in
the business development of early
Gays and in 1908 Edgar Bros. COM
pany incorporated with $4,000
capital stock. He was one of the
directors of the company at that
time. He was one of a committee
in 1908 which sought to obtain an
independent telephone system for
this section.
When the first Imperial County
Chamber of Commerce was organ
lied in 1908, Mr.. Edgar was one OF
the delegates from Imperial In
1912 he again was one of the del
egates from Imperial. In 1912 he
again was elected a trustee of I'M
perial.
AS one of the most active and
influential members in the Imper-
!al Valley Pioneers association he
was one of those responsible for
keeping the intrepid band in touch
within recent years. When he was
president, the association enjoyed
enc of its most active years.
He is survived by his widow
Mrs. Mabel C. Edgar. one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Carol Davis, a member
of The Press staff, grandson
Richard Davis and three brothers
Ray, j. H. and Arthur of this city
The Press management and staff
join with a host of friends in all
parts of the valley in extending
sympathy to the bereaved family
Pending funeral arrangements
which were not completed at press
time, the body is at Lemons fun
eral parlors.