California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN GILBERT EDWARDS. The people of Madera are justly proud of the character and 
enterprise of their business men and claim that no city of the same size in the entire state can 
boast of a larger number of progressive, capable and resourceful men of affairs. Whether as mer- 
chants, mechanics or tradesmen, whether as professional men or men of commerce, they have 
been, with few exceptions, men of the highest principles of honor and unwavering integrity of 
character. As an example of this class of citizens mention should be made of John Gilbert Ed- 
wards, who, with his brothers, David Franklin and James H. Edwards, has long been a factor in 
the business progress of the city. Mention of his ancestry and the record of his parents will 
be found elsewhere in this volume, in the sketch of his brother, David F., and from it the reader 
will see that the family is numbered among the pioneer settlers of California, having come west 
during the period of the great gold excitement. From that time to this the various members have 
contributed to the progress of the communities where they have resided. 

While the family were living in Tuolumne county, this state, John Gilbert Edwards was 
born August 31, 1852. Primarily educated in grammar schools, he has added to the informa- 
tion thus acquired by subsequent habits of reading and observation, so that he is now a well- 
informed man. Upon starting out to earn his own way in the world he went to Borden and 
took up the trade of wagon-maker. After a year as an apprentice, in 1875 he started a shop 
of his own in that place, engaging in work especially as a repairer of wagons and carriages, 
but also manufacturing certain parts of the vehicles. During 1882 he operated not only this 
shop but a blacksmith's shop as well. Since he came to Madera in 1889 he has been engaged in 
the management of his wagon and carriage shop. Through his skilled workmanship he has gained 
a large share of the trade of Madera and the surrounding country. Among his patrons he is known 
as a reliable workman and an honest and honorable man. Many of them have retained his serv- 
ices ever since he came to the city, having been so well pleased with his work that they have nev- 
er desired to look elsewhere for such labor. While he has never been prominent in political affairs 
nor has it been his wish to become an office holder, yet he is a pronounced upholder of the Re- 
publican party and at every election, whether local or general, votes for the men and measures of 
the party. In addition to his property in town, he is the owner of a grain farm in Madera county, 
situated near Borden, and comprising one hundred and sixty acres.