to Van Zandt County "Post Offices, Cities, Towns and People" by Kitty Wheeler of Grand Saline, TX Kitty Wheeler of Grand Saline spent several years researching the post offices, cities, towns and people of Van Zandt County. A portion of her work was published by the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society in "Histories and Biographies of Van Zandt County, Vol. II," which is still in print and available for purchase by sending a check or money order for $60 to the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 1388, Canton, TX 75103. This volume contains a portion of her post office research plus over 500 biographies of Van Zandt County citizens. Kitty Wheeler has generously given us exclusive permission to use all or part of her 500 page original manuscript. We are beginning with only part of her entire amazing work but we will complete this site as quickly as possible.
Edgewood Post Office Edgewood Post Office was established 27 Aug 1877. The following is a list of people that served as postmasters and their appointment dates: John T. Gill, 27 Aug 1877; A. Larkin Towns, 25 Feb 1878; William H. Crow, 10 Feb 1879; and Marjorie Gill, 27 May 1879.
The Edgewood post office was discontinued 11 Jun 1879, and re-established 3 Feb 1880. It was again discontinued 18 Jan 1881. Three years later on 1 Apr 1884, the post office was re-established. The list of postmasters and appointment dates continue: John T. Gill, 27 Nov 1885; Thomas F. Jones, 3 Aug 1886; Benjamin F. Eleazer, 15 Jan 1890; Monroe S. Pickard, 15 May 1890; James R. Odom, 6 Jan 1891; Isham D. Russell, 6 Jun 1905;, John K. Cloyd, 20 Sep 1906; Sterling P. Wilcoxson, 29 Oct 1914; Frances C. Elam, 25 Apr 1923; Arthur B. Hobbs, 27 May 1936; John W. Melton, 21 Feb 1951; Thomas L. Cheatham, 13 Mar 1952; and Bee G. Cowgill, 25 May 1985, to present.
Edgewood is located about ten miles north of Canton and about seven miles due east of Wills Point on the T & P Railway and on State Hwy. 80. The following, taken from the Wills Point Chronicle, 2 May 1901, is a good explanation for the name chosen for the town: "In 1874, when the Great Texas and Pacific was extending its steel track toward the setting sun, it was necessary to have a place to build a siding where trains might pass, and in keeping with the custom of the railroad, they laid off a town. They were in Van Zandt County, and as the place decided on for a town was not far from the prairie--just in the edge of the woods, it was called Edgewood..."
The post office was located in what is claimed to be the first store in Edgewood, Erwin and Burress, owned by Mr. C.A. Burress.
Among the early pioneers that came to Van Zandt County was a young man by the name of Henry Brown Cartwright, born 1828, in Tennessee. Here he met, wooed and married Margaret A. Whisenhunt on 14 May 1857. Margaret was born in 1832, in Georgia, the daughter of George and Susannah Whisenhunt. Henry and Margaret made their home on 160 acres of land about two miles south of the location of what would become Edgewood. This land was a grant from the state of Texas. In July 1861, H.B. Cartwright enlisted in the army of the Confederacy at Mustang, Van Zandt County, Texas. By this time Henry and Margaret had two little girls, ages two and one. In 1862, Margaret had another baby girl and while this infant was still a baby she learned that her husband was camped along with his regiment near Nacogdoches, Texas. Despite the fact that Henry was almost 150 miles away and there were no roads to follow, only trails through the wilderness, undaunted Margaret saddled a horse. carrying only the essential things with her, wrapping her baby snugly to protect the little one against the elements, and leaving the other two children in the care of her family, she struck out for Nacogdoches. Along the way, as she would come upon an isolated farm house, she would stop for a brief rest and sustenance. She was able to find her husband and after a short time spent with him, returned home safely.
Joseph T. Ellis, another early settler, was born 23 Jan 1838, in Georgia, son of John and Nancy Roanne Cavender Ellis. Joseph came to Van Zandt County prior to 1861, for he is on the muster roll of the ones that enlisted at Mustang, Texas, in July 1861. His descendants say Joseph told them he split shingles that covered the Wills Cabin. For his services he received a dollar and a half and a cow and calf. He returned safely from the war for on 26 Jul 1866, he married Mrs. Mary Catherine Wills McEnturff, who had a son, George, six years of age. Mary was born 18 Nov 1840, in Missouri. This family lied about half-way between Edgewood and Wills Point.
In July 1878, there had been some heavy rainfall and two of Joseph's children, Mary Elizabeth and John Radford were wading in a small ravine on their farm and they were swept away and drowned on 4 Jul 1878. When their bodies were found, they were still holding hands. To earn a living, Joseph Thomas Ellis ran a freight line on the Dallas-Shreveport road between the two towns. For this business he had purchased a yoke of oxen and other necessary equipment. The trip between the two towns would require about three weeks. However, if heavy rains or bad weather was encountered, the trip would stretch out for many more days. The road was little more than a trail in some areas and the rivers and large streams had to be forded.
Once there was a freight wagon stuck in a creek at Big Sandy, Texas, and after unsuccessfully trying to get it out with horses, someone came to Edgewood to get some oxen to pull the wagon out. Joseph took a team, one named Buck and the other Broad, to pull the wagon out of the mud. It's told that men were wagering as much as $50.00 on whether Buck and Broad could pull the wagon out. The oxen team pulled so hard they were on their knees, but they were successful. Joseph had trained his oxen well. The oxen were first gentled by tying a team together, their necks with one rope and the tails with another. After they had been gentled, they were gradually taught to accept the yoke and to pull together. On one occasion, he used a team of oxen to move a large boiler from the Sand Flat community near Grand Saline to the Otis Joyce gin at Small.
One of Joseph's sons, William Wesley Ellis, born in Edgewood, Texas, on 31 Aug 1867, married Mary Lula Drake on 27 Nov 1890. They lived on a 180 acre farm in the Stringtown Community and ran a blacksmith shop and grist mill in Edgewood. He and his two sons, Harry and Sib, poured the concrete and built the building that is now the Edgewood Affiliated in downtown Edgewood. William Wesley was a master mechanic. He was one of the first men in our area to work on automobiles.
In the spring of 1912, W.H. Burch, while learning to drive his 1912, Cutting, drove into a tree in his yard. The car was a wreck, but when taken to William, he and his two sons, pulled the axle and straightened it on his blacksmith furnace using his eyes as guide. They repaired the fenders and the car was as good as new. William owned a 1908, chain driven Buick which was the first Buick and the twenty-fifth automobile to be registered in Van Zandt County.
The Commissioners Court met 19 May 1877, and the following was ordered: "It is ordered by the Court that Henry Manning, J.P. Blount, Alex Burge, Abe Bowles, Elbert Gary, M.M. Stoven, A.D. Parker, Smith Fitzgerald, Wit Nolen, Webster Nolen, Jack McClellan, Robert McClellan, Pete Taylor, John Taylor, W.O. Alexander, Green Scott, Baker Perry, be apportioned to Henry Engledow, Overseer on the new road to be cut out from Canton to Edgewood as additional hands for the purpose of opening a working said road." This quite probably was inspired by the election of the previous month that set into motion the "County Seat War". The people of Canton felt the need for another shipping point besides Wills Point.
The following was taken from the Wills Point Chronicle 15 Dec 1904; 'Back In 1878-Edgewood, Texas. - Edgewood, 14 Apr 1878, - Editors Chronicle: We read the Chronicle with pleasure. Times are hard and money scarce. Supplies of all kind are plenty. Fresh beef, venison and turkey, the latter are killed from the sidewalks of our town. We are well supplied with fish from our neighboring streams. We can see Edgewood a flourishing little city in the near future. Surrounded, as we are, with the best country in the county, all we need is money and labor to develop it. The coal discovered at this place is said to be the very best. We need a mill and cotton gin at this place. Will not some one who has the means put one in operation? The streets of Edgewood are being cut out by a company of men supplying wood for the railroad. Can't the editor of the CHRONICLE visit our little town. Respectfully, A.L.T."
In the summer of 1888, the Slaughter Well was becoming famous for the medicinal properties of its water. Numbers of people tried it and all pronounced it possessed health giving powers. It was believed to be valuable as a remedy for indigestion, biliousness, liver and kidney complaints and all malarial afflictions. It was greatly beneficial for sore eyes and chronic sores of all kinds. The water had been analyzed and the analysis showed it contained fine properties as a remedial agent. The well was only three quarters of a mile from the depot at Edgewood. Parties that notified the proprietor, Mr. John Slaughter, of their arrival would be met with conveyance at the train. Board could be obtained for only $1.00 per day. Certificates of the water could be had on application.
The year 1900, saw the coming of the first newspaper to Edgewood, the Edgewood Post, published by Kirby Foster. Through the years the newspaper in Edgewood would be known by many names and owned by various individuals until it finally evolved into the Edgewood Enterprise that it is today.
The following is taken from the Wills Point Chronicle, 2 May 1901: "The town is surrounded by fine timbered country, and while the shipping of wood is at present the principal industry arising from the timber, there is nevertheless, a fine opening for the shipment of timber for manufacturing purposes, as it is surrounded with an abundance of Spanish oak, post oak, red oak, burr oak, hickory, ash, walnut and many other varieties of fine timber. The cutting of timber for wood in such great quantities has a two-fold effect, that of getting good pay for the timber and putting the land in an easy way to go into cultivation.
"No town in this county has grown more rapidly within the past few years than Edgewood. This writer has known the town for a score of years, and, in fact, lived there many years ago when the place boasted of a depot, a few residences and a small store. The present neat looking town of 400 or 500 people is in striking contrast to what it was then. A great deal of this improving has been done within the past few years, so rapidly has it grown in its volume of business that the principal streets on which are some 17 business houses, present a nice appearance to the visitor. Most of the business houses are occupied by the owners, and likewise the residences, which gives a substantial foundation to the town that nothing else could do. Another thing that speaks well for the town is the fact that it has a set of enterprising businessmen. It would be hard to find a place where those upon whom rests the responsibility of building up a town were more willing to lend a helping hand. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but they are in the hopeless minority. Not only are the citizens enterprising, but a more sociable and law-abiding people cannot be found. A local option election was held there last year, as it was feared a saloon would be opened up, and all but three votes were cast for local option.
"The two organized churches have nice houses of worship, Baptist and Methodist, both of which have splendid Sunday Schools.'PUBLIC SCHOOL - Among the first things inquired about when a person contemplates locating in some particular place is its educational facilities. Edgewood takes second place to none when it comes to a good school. The public school is under the district system and the state fund is supplemented by a local tax of 20 cents on the $100 valuation. This makes ample provision for a nine months term of free school. There were enrolled for the scholastic year just closing 160 pupils and we are informed that there will not be less than 200 for the coming year. The school at present is under the efficient principalship of Prof. A.B. Chappell, one of the county's most experienced and best teachers. He is ably assisted by Misses Genie Engledow and May Whitten. The school building is a commodious frame structure, comfortably seated and supplied with modern appliances. The people of Edgewood are proud of their school, and they have a right to be. The social and religious influences are of the highest order, and parents who have not ample educational advantages at their homes and wish to send their children away, would do well to consider Edgewood. They may rest assured that their children could not be more favorably placed in respect to all external circumstances of topographical or climatical influences than there.
"BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT - As said before in this article, Edgewood has advanced in business greatly within the past few years. Through M.B.L. Platt, station agent of the T. & P., we learn that the volume of freight business for the first four months of this year has increased 300 percent over the same period last year, the ticket business being even more than that. Last season the town shipped 1,365 bales of cotton. The receipts this season are about 2,500 bales, some of which is still on the yard. The wood business is an important factor in the town. Besides three local wholesale dealers in wood, a party from Fort Worth has purchased considerable tiber and at present is shipping out a car of wood a day from Edgewood.
"The citizens of the town are very greatly inconvenienced by the fact that only one passenger train a day each way stops there. The business of the town would justify, it seems to us, the stopping of the night trains there. The T. & P. have an elegant little depot there.
"Not only is the town a splendid produce market, but cotton, the principal product of this country, finds a ready market during the season at top prices, which is evidenced by the increase in the receipts of this staple. A great many cotton seed are shipped from there and two good gins, one being put in at present, furnish the farmer ample facilities for getting his fleecy staple ready for market.
"The business houses at present are mostly of wood but they are substantial and commodious. However, we predict that it will not be long until substantial bricks will take their place. In fact, one merchant stated that he contemplates building two bricks this fall. The stocks carried are nearly all large ones and many farmers are furnished supplies for making a crop.
"The town is reaching out after the trade of the county in all lines and, of course, are offering special inducements to people in the lower part of the county, and the business men are gratified to see their efforts meeting with success.
"In conclusion we say, and mean it, we have every natural advantage and resource here in Van Zandt County that heart could desire, and to those seeking homes, whether they lie back on the worn-out lands of the old states, or some other portion of grand old Texas, those who are seeking a place where they can purchase a home at a moderate price, educate their families and live happily and contented under their own vine and fig tree, come to Van Zandt County and before you come, investigate the inducements offered by Edgewood.
While land has advanced very much in price the last year or two, there is plenty of unimproved land that can be purchased from $3 an acre up, and improved land from $10 an acre up. W.B. Cheatham, or any of the business men mentioned elsewhere, will gladly answer any inquiries.
"Edgewood is not incorporated, but is the head of a justice precinct. J.T. McNair is justice of the peace and Tom Mallard constable. They have just completed a calaboose, which will likely remain unoccupied most of the time. J.R. Odom is the accommodating postmaster.
"BUSINESS MEN - A mention of the town like this would not be complete without speaking particularly of the business men. We have been doing business at Edgewood for several years and have always found them not only pleasant to deal with, but alive to the interests of the town. We take them just as we came to them the other day when we were there getting the data for this article. Gentle reader, having read this far, please read on.
"E. J. McFarland -- Among the men who have been with Edgewood longest is E.J. McFarland. Mr. Mc has lived at Edgewood for 12 years and at present is engaged in the family grocery business. He occupies his own building, which is 20x50 feet. He also carries a stock of hardware, queensware, tinware, glassware, etc. He is a wholesale dealer in wood, and does a large produce business. No man in the community has looked forward with more certainty to the future of Edgewood than he. His large acquaintance and fair dealing have built him up an enviable business.
"W.B. Cheatham, is another man who has been with Edgewood from its early days. For several years past he has been engaged in the real estate business and, while he has sold a great deal of land the past year, he still has several thousand acres of good farming, fruit, berry and general truck-growing land for sale at reasonable prices and on easy terms. If you want to come to Texas, or already live in the state and want to come where you can pay for a home, it will pay you to correspond with him. We have known him long and know him to be reliable.
"Ferguson Bros.--Ferguson Bros., both young men, went to Edgewood a few months ago and engaged in the hardware business, carrying a full line of this kind, including cutlery, barb-wire, implements, tinware, etc. They own their building, 20 x 30 feet, and are building up an excellent trade.
"J.T. Hooks-- J.T. Hooks runs a nice, clean restaurant and boarding house; also, sells cold drinks, canned goods, groceries, etc. He has a welcome for everybody.
"Miss Mattie Maness--No well regulated town is complete without a millinery establishment. This institution in Edgewood is conducted by Miss Mattie Maness, a young lady of splendid ability in her line, and considerable experience in millinery business. She carries a nice stock and trims hats to order.
"J.H. York--among the most substantial and reliable men at Edgewood is J.H. York. Mr. York was justice of the peace of that precinct for several years. He is public weigher there now, has a complete stock of lumber, shingles, door, sash and finishing material. A few months ago he opened up a stock of hardware that is complete in every respect and included queensware, glassware, implements, etc., and his success has been all that he could expect. Mr. York has a large acquaintance and as a business man is an easy winner, and when you go to Edgewood call on him.
"Dr. J.H. Hendrix--Dr. Hendrix located at Edgewood last year and is receiving a fine practice. He is a graduate of the Memphis Hospital and permanently located at Edgewood.
"Murrey & Starnes--This firm, composed of T.J. (Bud) Murrey and B.F. Starnes, is one of the town's most substantial firms. They are engaged in the family grocery business and carry in addition a line of hardware, tinware, queensware, cold drinks, etc., located in their building 20x50 feet, and in another house of their own, 30x40 feet, they have a fine stock of furniture from which the public can select. they are wholesale wood dealers and handle considerable produce. Both of these men are first-class business hustlers and it goes without saying that they enjoy a good business.
"W.H. Humphries--Foremost among the business men and merchants of Edgewood is W.H. Humphries. Mr. Humphries came to Edgewood from the old states about nine years ago and embarked in business with R.M. Millsaps. They dissolved after awhile and W.J. Presley became a partner with Mr. Humphries. Year before last they dissolved, Mr. Humphries continuing the business, and Mr. Presley opening up a new store. He carries an immense stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, fancy goods, groceries, hardware, leather goods, etc., contained in his own building, which is 24x74 feet. During the fall season he buys a great deal of cotton, and furnishes many of the farmers their yearly supplies. His business career since coming to this country has been a very successful one.
"W.J. Presley--Another dealer in general merchandise is W.J. Presley. He has been engaged in business five years but just opened up alone year before last. He owns his building, 22x50 feet, and it is filled with a choice stock of general merchandise. This includes everything in the dry goods line, groceries, leather goods, etc. He is also a cotton buyer.
"D.C. Hooks & Son--This firm, composed of D.C. Hooks, R.A. and R.O. Hooks, is one of the leading institutions of Edgewood. Like most other firms here they deal in general merchandise, which includes most anything a family would want from a paper of pins to a farm wagon. They are also wholesale dealers in wood. they are Mississippians, like many others in and around Edgewood, and as they buy their goods in large quantities, they are enabled to offer many bargains to the people. They have been in Edgewood several years and their business has been a signal success.
"J.W. Peavy--No town is complete without a tonsorial parlor. This is presided over in Edgewood by J.W. Peavy, who is an artist in his line. He is located in Mr. Bishop's store and in addition is a first class jeweler and clock repairer, and gives all work prompt and careful attention.
"S.P. Wilcoxson--Something over four years ago, Sterling Wilcoxson went into Eiley Garrett's drugstore here to learn the drug business. After staying here awhile he went to Edgewood and opened up a drugstore on a small scale. In four years his business has grown to large proportions and he now occupies his own building, which is 24x56 feet in size, and in addition to carrying a stock of fresh drugs, he has a full line of paints, oils, toilet articles, and in fact everything usually found in an up-to-date drugstore. Year before last he went before the district pharmaceutical board and stood a fine examination, showing him to be a competent druggist.
"Dr. F.M. Hamil--Dr. F.M. Hamil, who purchased the home and succeeded to the practice of Dr. Estes, is a graduate of Memphis Hospital Medical School and is a very fine physician. He has a fine practice since moving to Edgewood.
"N.A. Matthews Lumber Co.--This firm is composed of the Matthews Lumber Co. of Wills Point and Forney, and T.H. Cheatham and B.F. Starnes of Edgewood. The last named gentlemen have the management of the business and their large acquaintance and fine business qualifications make them especially adapted for the work in hand. The yard has just been put in but they have a fine stock and assortment of lumber, shingles, doors, sash, etc., and the location makes it very convenient for all sections of the county to buy their building material from this firm. Another thing of great importance is that this firm buying for three yards and having a man in the heart of the lumber region, get the best prices and can, therefore, sell as low as it is possible to sell lumber.
"Platt, Henry & Son--A new gin is being put in by the above firm. The building is to be of corrugated iron and the machinery will be the Munger system complete with four 70-saw gin stands, and this means that it will be modern in every respect. The plant will be ready for business by the time the cotton season opens up. They are determined that their patrons shall enjoy every convenience obtainable. Mr. Platt of the firm is the T. & P. Agent and the Messrs. Henry are experienced gin men.
"H.S. Chitty--H.S. Chitty, section foreman, has been in Edgewood for 23 years, 18 years of which time he has been section foreman for the T. & P. He has also been engaged in the tie, wood and grocery business. Mr. Chitty's health has broken considerably within the past few years.
"Humphries' Drugstore--The drugstore of W.H. Humphries is under the entire management and control of Dr. Albert O. Johnson, a young man of splendid ability and sterling worth. The store was opened up a year ago in March and has surprised the management with its success. Dr. Johnson has taken one course of lectures but thinks now that he will devote his entire time in future to a careful study of the drug business. He has a world of push and energy in him and enjoys the full confidence of the public.
"J.C. Heard - Last winter this gentleman purchased the gin and residence of B.F. Starnes. Mr. Heard is a native "Free Stater" and has been in the gin business for years. His plant consists of the Munger system complete with 70-saw gins. He is overhauling everything and when cotton ginning times comes the many patrons of the reliable ginnery will find everything as convenient as the hand of man can make it. Joe Heard has spent many years of his life running gins and he knows how to treat people, and knows the conveniences that people appreciate.
"W.J. Bishop--Mr. Bishop began business in Edgewood two years ago and has increased his stock from time to time until now he has his own building 20x56 feet, full of desirable dry goods, groceries, etc., and his trade is increasing all the time. He is an accommodating business man, and it is this kind that succeeds. When you go to Edgewood, be sure to call on him.
"Dr. Ben Ward--Dr. Ward's home is in Robeline, La., but after prospecting at Edgewood he likes the country so well it is his intention to locate there at once. He is a splendid physician and is a graduate of the University of Alabama also of the medical department of Tulane University and has served two years in the Charity Hospital of New Orleans.
"So here ends our little piece about Edgewood. We have not misrepresented anything intentionally and if we have left out anything that ought to have been mentioned here, that was not intentional either."
The following is taken from the Wills Point Chronicle, 11 Aug 1904, about the postmaster James R. Odom: "...I was born on the red hills of Georgia, 30 Jan 1837, and reared in the swamps of Louisiana. Joined the Pelican Rifles, 2nd Louisiana Infantry, 27 Apr 1861. The first soldiers I saw slain in battle were at Big Bethel, Va., in June 1861, (have forgotten the exact date.) 'Fit, bled and died' at the second battle of Bull Run or Manassas. Payrolled in 1865. Am now living in God's country, the 'Free State of Van Zandt.' Been a resident of Edgewood since 1889, and if the Good Lord is willing will spend the remainder of my days here. Have been helping Uncle Sam with his business since 1890, and when the last roll is called, I hope to meet Lee, Stonewall, Gordon and all true Confederates that have gone on before..."
On 3 Nov 1904, the following appeared in the Wills Point Chronicle: 'NEWS AROUND EDGEWOOD--Edgewood, Tex., 1 Nov - J.K. Foster has moved his press to Edgewood and will get out the first issue of the Texas Fruit Grower and Edgewood Trucker from this place on Thursday of next week. The office will be located at the west end of North Front Street.
"Dr. J.W. Ellis and family of Evan, Hamilton County, visited relatives and friends here last week. We think the doctor worth of much success and are glad to know that he is doing well in his western home.
"Edgewood Lodge, W.O.W., unveiled the monument of Mrs. Dena Hamil Smith at the Edgewood Cemetery last Sunday. A large crowd was present and the ceremony very interesting. Hon. Morg Sanders delivered the address at the grave.
"Dr. Smith of Argo and Rev. W.C. Hamil and little brother, Heber, of Waco attended the unveiling ceremony Sunday.
"Dew Millsap and wife of Ben Wheeler spent Sunday in Edgewood.
"E.T. Baldwin took charge of the Edgewood-Canton mail line today. He starts from Edgewood at 6:30 each morning and makes two round trips daily with his hack.
"E.T. Baldwin has purchased the J.O. Ferguson residence.
"Geo. Hamil of Houston County was here prospecting last week.
"Tom Smart and family of Dallas visited his brother here last Saturday and Sunday.
"Jno. Abbe and wife of Canton attended the unveiling Sunday.
"L.N. Pettigrew and family and B.T. Buntyn leave tomorrow night to spend several months in Mississippi.
"The Baptist ladies of Edgewood will give a 25 cent dinner at Edgewood on election day for the purpose of raising funds for the Baptist church. All the ladies of the neighborhood are invited to assist with the dinner and everybody is expected to come and eat.
"J.A. Henry has been sick with erysipelas for several days.
"The gin is running less than half time now, and as people are getting their cotton gathered syrup-making is beginning in dead ernest. The ribbon cane crop is fine; the only trouble is the acreage is small. The people here hardly raise enough to supply the home demand, when it could easily be made one of our best money crops.
"Murry Bass opened up a new stock of groceries yesterday in the York house south of the railroad."
An article in the Wills Point Chronicle, 30 Mar 1905, is as follows: "SOMETHING DOING IN TOWN OF EDGEWOOD--Edgewood, Texas, 21 Mar - Two weeks ago we predicted a bank for Edgewood but did not hope to announce one so soon. Ere this is published the bank of Edgewood will be on duty, fully prepared for any kind of business. This bank has been established by O.S. Houston of Fort Worth, Tex., with a capital of $15,000, C.H. Fischer cashier. The private responsibility behind this institution amounts to $200,000 and in due time it will be converted into a state or national bank. The bank is located temporarily in the starnes furniture building but expects within sixty days to be permanently located on the west corner of Houston and South Front streets in a nice brick or stone building which will be erected at once for that purpose.
"D.C. Hooks and son are making some improvements on their building occupied by the Edgewood Company, also an addition to the post office building as Uncle Sam's business at this place is getting to be too large for the building used heretofore.
H.W. Ferguson has sold his farm one and one-half miles south of Edgewood. Consideration, $850.
"J.A. Pettigrew sold fifty acres of land on Mill Creek three miles east of Edgewood, to B.F. Livingston for $345.
"C.H. Fischer purchased one-half of a lot on the corner of Houston and South Front Streets for the bank of Edgewood, consideration $200.
"J.O. Ferguson has painted and otherwise improved his new home until it is quite attractive.
"Miss Eleanor Gray is opening a stock of millinery goods in the Mrs. Richards' building. W.J. Presley went to Dallas last week.
"Can't the T. & P. Railway be prevailed upon to give us separate waiting rooms for the whites and blacks, a new cotton platform, a larger freight room and other improvements which the growth of our town demands? It's a measly shame that our people do not get better accommodations at the hands of the great T. & P. Railway Co.
Belah York and wife and Janie Lowthorp of Grand Saline and Miss Jeffie Wilhite of Dallas visited the home of J.H. York last Sunday.
"Born to Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Millsaps the 20th inst., a fine baby girl.
"D.C. Cartright and family have removed to Edgewood from Ellis County. Dave says there's no place like home--"Van Zandt".
"Some potatoes reported rotting in the ground on account of wet weather, yet with a fair yield and price we estimate that about $75,000 or $100,000 will be turned loose in Edgewood the coming season to the potato farmers but, people remember, diversify, don't depend on potatoes alone or any other one thing.
"Quite a lot of freighting going on between Edgewood and Canton now.
"Who said Edgewood wouldn't incorporate? Well just watch and see.
"The doctors are getting more rest now as health is considerably better.
"Quite a number of our people are in attendance at district court this week at Canton.
"J.C. Stepp has purchased the Chappell place from H.S. Chitty.
"R.M. Millsaps has succeeded in moving his residence to the vacant lots just east of the Baptist church and will begin erection of a modern residence at an early date on the old home site.
"There are now 61 phones in the local exchange here and we believe within a shot time a phone will be in almost every home in this part of the country."
During the late 1920s, and early 1930s, there was much activity in Van Zandt County as the roads were being improved all over the county. The Austin Bridge Company had been contracted to build the bridges across the County from east to west as preparations were being made to pave highway No. 15, later to be called State Hwy. 80.
Many of the crew that worked on these bridges found accommodations at various boarding houses in Edgewood because it was a central point from which to work. The superintendent of the bridge crew was Mack Kline, from Illinois. Yankee though he was, it would be here in Edgewood that he would meet his future wife, Earlene Chaney and for the next ten years prior to entering the gasoline refinery constructing business, would continue to live in Texas.
A gentleman that was a Van Zandter by birth at the time of all this highway improvements was Brady P. Gentry, Chairman of the Texas State Highway Commission. (See Section on the town of Owlet Green.) While chairman in 1942, Mr. Gentry wrote the following article: 'HISTORY OF VAN ZANDT'S STATE HIGHWAYS--In 1942, the State Highway Commission designated as State Highways and assigned for maintenance certain roads in Van Zandt County. These roads were: State Highway No. 15 running east and west through Wills Point, Edgewood, Fruitvale and Grand Saline; State Highway No. 64 from Wills Point, through Canton, Ben Wheeler and Edom to the Smith County line; and State Highway No. 19 extending from Henderson County line through Martins Mill to an intersection with Highway No. 64 seven miles east of Canton, thence over No. 64 to a point just east of Canton and thence north to Grand Saline.
"Highway 64 from the Smith County line to Wills Point and Highway 15 from Wills Point to Kaufman County line had been graded and graveled about 1919-1920, with funds derived from a County bond issue with some help from the State. The other roads were unimproved earth and were virtually impassable in wet weather.
"In 1925, the first concrete pavement in the County was constructed from Grand Saline west to Fruitvale. This was a nine foot pavement about five miles in length.
"In 1928, an asphalt surface was placed on six miles of Highway No. 64 from the Smith County line west. This old gravel road through the County had deteriorated rapidly. In dry weather its "washboard" surface shook the eye teeth out of hardy travellers and in wet weather the "prairie section west of Myrtle Springs was one long mud hole, concrete "dips" serving as drainage structures where traffic must wait after a rain fall for the water to recede before they could be crossed.
"In 1930, an extensive construction program got under way with the placing of concrete pavement on Highway 15 from Wills Point to the Kaufman County line. From this time on improvement was rapid. In 1931, ten miles of concrete pavement were constructed from Wills Point east on Highway No. 15 and eighteen miles of asphalt surfacing were placed on No. 64 from six miles west of the Smith County line through Edom and Ben Wheeler to four miles East of Canton. In 1932. concrete pavement was finished from Canton to Wills Point and from Grand Saline east to the Smith County line. In 1933, the four mile section of No. 64 from Canton east to the asphalt surfaced portion was paved with concrete, and the section of No. 15 from ten miles east of Wills Point to Grand Saline completed with concrete pavement and widening of the old 9' section between Fruitvale and Grand Saline to 20 feet.
"In 1934, the Highway No. 19 was re-routed and graded from the Henderson County line direct to Canton and in 1938-39, No. 19 north of Canton was rerouted and built due north from Canton to an intersection with U.S. 80 west of Fruitvale. Both these sections of No. 19 were surfaced in 1941.
"In 1934, the road from Canton to Mabank which had been built and graveled by the County was designated State Highway No. 198 and surfaced with asphalt.
"State Highway No. 110 was built in 1936, and surfaced in 1938, from Van to Grand Saline, giving the Van oil field it's first State Highway outlet.
"In 1941, two sections of newly designed State Highway No. 243 were completed, one between Van and Colfax and the other from Canton west five miles toward Kaufman.
"The State Highway Department is at this time constructing an improved roadway from Grand Saline to near Alba on U.S. Highway 69. When this roadway is completed, it will be designated as a State Highway by the Highway Commission and maintained as such. The Commission has also pledged assistance to the people of Wills Point area in the construction of a paved roadway from Wills Point north. This is being held up because of the freezing order of the War Production Board. It now appears that its construction must await the termination of the war, but it will be accomplished and will then be maintained by the State Highway Department.
"Although Highway No. 243 has not as yet been completed entirely across the County and some portions of Highway 64 need reconstruction to bring it up to modern standards, it is a far cry from the dust and mud of 1924, to the Van Zandt road system of today, when practically the entire State Highway designations in the County are paved and only the rubber shortage controls the motorists' speed.
"The immediate future of highway construction is in much doubt because of the war. The War Production Board feels that the materials which we utilize in the construction of highways can now be better utilized directly in the war effort. It is regrettable that we cannot proceed with the construction of much-needed highways but it is felt that the people, generally will understand and appreciate our position. It is gratifying, that Van Zandt County will have a fine highway system, indeed, when the planned construction can be completed." Through the years Edgewood suffered several fires, especially in the old wooden structures. However, they always recovered and rebuilt brick buildings replacing the wood.
Since Edgewood incorporated in 1913, when A.O. Johnson was elected the first Mayor, it has operated under the Mayor-Council form of government.
The discovery of rich deposits of oil and sulfur in the area of Edgewood brought new prosperity to the town. New homes, two large refineries, new businesses, a new school plant, etc. have contributed to the growth of the town. There are several churches for the people to worship in and the heritage of Edgewood is proudly being preserved and displayed by the Edgewood Historical Society.Back to Post Offices Index Page Back to the Genealogical Research Group's Home Page You are the person to visit this page since June 7, 2006
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