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 HENRY EDWARDS. Among the enterprising and progressive agriculturists that 
improved large and valuable ranches in Merced county was the late John Henry Edwards, whose 
farm, now occupied by his widow and children, lies about seven miles south of Newman. He 
was well known throughout this section of the country as a man of great ability, thrift and in- 
tegrity, well worthy of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow-men. Public-spir- 
ited and far-seeing, he willingly assisted in the establishment of beneficial projects, and well per- 
formed his part in advancing the intellectual and moral status of the community. A native 
of Alabama, he was born August 5, 1830, in Russellville, and died December 17, 1895, on his 
home ranch near Newman, Cal. His father, James Garrett Edwards, was born in Kentucky 
of Welsh descent, and removed from there to Alabama and spent his later years in Arkansas. 

Educated in the common schools of his native state, John Henry Edwards remained be- 
neath the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when he began life on his own account. On 
hearing of the discovery of gold in California, in 1849, he joined the tide of emigration that 
was traveling across the plains to the valleys of California, and located mines in Eldorado 
county. Subsequently settling in Suisun, Solano county, he, in partnership with his brothers, 
Charles and James Edwards, began the manufacture of flour, owning mills there for a num- 
ber of years, and also buying a ranch in that vicinity. Selling out his interests, Mr. Edwards 
removed to San Francisco, where he was in business as an assayer until 1881. In that year 
he took possession of the ranch now occupied by his widow. This property, which was sub- 
sequently sold, contained six hundred and forty acres above the canal and one hundred and 
sixty acres below the canal, on which he made his home, he had purchased in 1869. In the 
years that followed, Mr. Edwards made substantial improvements on his home farm, ren- 
dering it one of the best and most desirable estates in the neighborhood, and was here pleas- 
antly engaged in his independent occupation until his death as above stated. In politics Mr. 
Edwards was a stanch Democrat, active in the management of public affairs, and for seven 
years was supervisor of Merced county, dying while in office. 

On October 4, 1864, in Suisun, Cal., Mr. Edwards married Sarah Martha Ish, who was born 
in Saline county, Mo., a daughter of Carroll Whitfield Ish. A native of Tennessee, Mr. Ish 
first migrated as far westward as Missouri, whence, in 1850, he came across the plains to 
California. Here he lived in various places, including Sacramento and Sonoma, being engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. For a time he was a resident of Contra Costa county, later 
owning land in Solano county, from there going to Winters, Yolo county, where he resided un- 
til his death at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jane 
Baldridge, was born in Tennessee and died in Yolo county, Cal. 

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards three children were born, namely : Cora Lee, de- 
ceased ; Grace Walston and John Henry, both living at home. Under the management of Mrs. 
Edwards and her son, the home ranch is carried on with marked ability, being devoted largely 
to dairy purposes, one hundred and sixty acres being sown to alfalfa.