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Sarah Thomas |
Edward Richter was born January 17, 1829, in Germany and died February 16, 1876, in Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 47. He was the son of Unknown. Sarah Thomas was born July 4, 1832, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and died March 10, 1923, at her home, 355 Doty St., Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 90. She was the daughter of Unknown Thomas of Alsace-Lorraine, France, and Marguerithe "Margaret" Heil of Alsace-Lorraine, France. Leigh Larson note: Adam Shidell and Elizabeth Shidell were the brother and sister of Jacob Scheidel, while Sarah Edwards was a half-sister. Sarah Thomas immigrated to the United States from France about 1853. Edward Richter and Sarah Thomas were married Unknown. Edward Richter and Sarah (Thomas) Richter had two children:
After Edward Richter died, Sarah (Thomas) Richter married William David Edwards. William David Edwards was born October 31, 1823, in South, Monmouthshire, Wales, and died February 17, 1901, in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 77. He was the son of David J. Edwards of Gellygaer, Glamorganshire, Wales, and Ann Lawrence of Trevethin Parish (Pontypool) Monmouthshire, Wales. Unknown was born about 1825 in Wales and died Unknown. She was the daughter of Unknown of Wales. William David Edwards and Unknown were married about 1847 in Wales. William David Edwards and (Unknown) Edwards had one child:
William David Edwards then married Lydia Ann Wheaton/Whitton. Lydia Ann Whitton was born March 25, 1829, in New York, and died January 15, 1875, in Fond du Lac, WI, at age 46. She was the daughter of Unknown. William David Edwards and Lydia Ann Wheaton/Whitton were married May 12, 1849, in Wayne Co., OH. William David Edwards and Lydia Ann (Wheaton/Whitton) Edwards had Unknown children:
William David Edwards and Sarah (Thomas) Richter were married July 18, 1876, in Fond du Lac Co., WI. William David Edwards and Sarah (Thomas) (Richter) Edwards had no children. TIMELINE Edward Richter was born January 17, 1829, in Prussia, Germany. William David Edwards was born October 31, 1823, in South, Monmouthshire, Wales. Sarah Thomas was born July 4, 1832, in Alsace-Lorraine, France. The 1850 U. S. Census taken on August 27, 1850, shows Wm. Edwards (age 27) born in Wales is a Collier and is living in Chippewa Twp., Wayne Co., OH. Living with him is Lydia Edwards (age 22) born in New York. Also living there are: Anna Edwards (age 3) born in Wales; Jane Whidon (age 3) born in Ohio; Hugh McGracy (age 25) born in Ireland, a Collier; Cath. McGracy (age 25) born in France; and Jno. McGracy (age 2) born in Ohio. When Catherine emigrated to the USA at age 14, she must have been traveling with an adult, probably a relative. Listed in the ship manifest as coming from France were: Elisa Sailz (age 21), Friedrich Kerng/Kang (age 4), and Salome Kerng/Kang (age 23). The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 9, 1860, shows Edward Richard (age 29) born in Germany with personal estate of $200 is a Shoe Maker and is living in the 5th Ward, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY. Living with him are: Charlotte Richter (age 27) born in Germany; and Charlotte Richter (age 5) born in New York. The 1860 U. S. Census taken on August 8, 1860, shows William Edwards (age 36) born in Wales with real estate of $2,300 and personal estate of $400 is a Farmer and is living in Eldorado Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Lydeona Edwards (age 31) born in New York. Also living there are seven Edwards children: Anna M. Edwards (age 13) born in Wales; Mary J. Edwards (age 12) born in Ohio; Eliza R. Edwards (age 7) born in Ohio; Sarah A. Edwards (age 5) born in Wisconsin; David A. Edwards (age 4) born in Wisconsin; Wm. H. Edwards (age 2) born in Wisconsin; and George G. Edwards (age 1) born in Wisconsin. Wm. H. Edwards and Harriet Eastman were married March 30, 1861, in Fond du Lac Co., WI. The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 8, 1870, shows Edward Richard (age 41) born in Prussia with real estate of $1,000 and personal estate of $300 is a Shoemaker and is living in Oakfield Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him are: Salome Richard (age 39) born in France, who is Keeping House; and Minnie Richard (age 9) born in New York. The 1870 U. S. Census taken on July 27, 1870, shows William Edwards (age 46) born in Wales with real estate of $3,000 and personal estate of $900 is a Farmer and is living in Eldorado Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Lida A. Edwards (age 42) born in New York, who does House Keeping. Also living there are ten Edwards children: Mary J. Edwards (age 21) born in Ohio; Elisa Edwards (age 17) born in Ohio; Sarah A. Edwards (age 15) born in Wisconsin; David A. Edwards (age 14) born in Wisconsin; William Edwards (age 12) born in Wisconsin; George C. Edwards (age 11) born in Wisconsin; Sherman Edwards (age 7) born in Wisconsin; Myron S. Edwards (age 5) born in Wisconsin; Rial D. Edwards (age 4) born in Wisconsin; and Francis Edwards (age 2) born in Wisconsin.
Lydia Ann Edwards was buried in Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Edward Richter died February 16, 1876, in Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 47.
Edward Richter was buried in Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. William H. Edwards and Sarah T. (Scheidel/Shidell) Richter were married July 18, 1876, in Fond du Lac Co., WI. Sarah would have been age 44 at this time. ID: I23728; Name: Paul Immanuel Jungnik; Sex: M; Birth: 17 JUL 1879; [Baptism record:] Has date, father Carl Jungnik, mother Sara Kuntz. [Church burial record:] Has date, father Carl Jungnik, mother Sara Kuntz. Baptism: 17 JUL 1879 Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, USA; [St. Peter's Church baptism record 1879 #41, v2 pp50-51:] Paul Immanuel, date; sponsors Amy Baldwin, Mary Green, Sara Edwards. Death: 10 SEP 1879 [Church burial record:] Has date; age 1 month, 26 days. Burial: 12 SEP 1879 Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, USA [St. Peter's Church burial record 1879 #9, v2 p289. Cause: [Church burial record:] "an der Sommerkrankheit" (i.e., the summer sickness). Change Date: 15 OCT 2007 The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 21, 1880, shows William Edwards (age 56) born in Wales to Welsh-born parents is a Farmer with asthma and is living in Eldorado Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Sarah Edwards (age 51) born in Baden to Baden-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Wisconsin to Welsh and Ohio-born parents: George Edwards (age 20) who Works on Farm; Myron Edwards (age 16) who Works on Farm; Royal Edwards (age 13) who Works on Farm; Cora Edwards (age 10); and Hattie Edwards (age 7). Also living there: his married step-daughter: Sarah Jungnik (age 25) born in New Jersey to Baden-born parents, who is Keeping House; and his step granddaughter, Arabell Jungnik (age 4) born in Wisconsin to Prussian and New Jersey-born parents. Also living there is a widow, Sarah McDonald (age 60) born in Wales to Welsh-born parents is Keeping House. Other Watsons and Edwards also live there. In 1880, Carl Jungnik (a married Cigar Maker age 29) is living in Berlin, Green Lake Co., WI. Carl G. Jungnik married Wilhemine Brunke on May 25, 1891, in Outagamie Co., WI. The 1895 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1895, shows Wm. Edwards is the Head of Household and is living in the 3rd Ward, City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. There are a total of 1 Male and 2 Females living there, all born in the United States. The 1895 Wisconsin Enumeration of Soldiers and Sailors of the Late War shows William Edwards who served in Company D, 10th Vir., 3rd Ward, City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 1, 1900, shows William Edward (age 76) born November 1823 in Wales to Welsh-born parents and having immigrated in 1847 and a Naturalized citizen owns his own home free of a mortgage and is living in the City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Twp., Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of 23 years, Sarah Edward (age 67) born July 1832 in Germany to German-born parents and having immigrated in 1855, with both of the children born to her still alive. Sarah cannot read or write, but can speak English. William David Edwards died February 17, 1901, in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 77.
William Edwards was buried in Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI.
Three Edwards children were buried in Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI.
Wright's directory of Fond du Lac Co.
for 1905 comprising an alphabetically arranged list of business firms
and private citizens; a classified list of all trades, professions and
pursuits; a miscellaneous directory of city and county officers,
schools, churches, banks, societies, etc.
[Wright's Fond du Lac directory
1904-1905: E], pp. 112-116
Edwards Sarah T. (wid. Win. D.) medicine mnfr. 357 Doty, h same. Abbey Estella (wid Wellington) h 329 Main. Abbey George W. com. trav. h 329 Main. Mensch Fredericka (wid. Peter) h 71 W. Johnson. Mensch John W. teamstr. h 145 W. Johnson. The Stevens Point Journal, Wednesday, July 15, 1908 JACOB SHIDEL Resident of the East Side Passes Away After Week's Serious Illness. Jacob Shidel died at his home at 532 Fremont street at 8:30 this morning after a week's illness with paralysis of the intestines. He had been in a critical condition almost from the first and for several days there had been no hope for his recovery. The deceased was born in Germany on June 18, 1835, but came to this country when he was 21 years old. He spent a year or two in New Jersey and then came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Byron in Fond du Lac county. In 1859 he married Miss Lucy Luhn. On August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F of the Twenty-first Wisconsin infantry and served with his regiment until mustered out on May 5, 1865. He was wounded in an engagement at Resaca. After the war he returned to Wisconsin and finally settled on a farm near Milladore, where he remained until about nine years ago, when he removed to this city. For several years he has been going blind, his sight being so poor of late that he was only able to distinguish large objects as hazy shadows. Mr. Shidel was of the frugal, honest German type and was in all respects a worthy neighbor and a good citizen. He is survived by his widow and two children, Fred C. Shidel of Amherst and Mrs. E. C. Ellis of this city. His oldest son, John A. Shidel, an engineer on the Wisconsin Central, was killed in a wreck at Des Plaines five years ago. He also leaves a brother and sister and half-sister, Adam Shidel of Milladore, Mrs. Elizabeth Burns of Shiocton, and Mrs. Sarah Edwards of Fond du Lac. Fred Shidel had been assisting in the care of his father since Friday. The brother and sister are here and Mrs. Edwards will also be present at the funeral. He was a member of the local Grand Army post. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 at St. Paul's M. E. church, Rev. Webster Miller of Waupaca officiating. The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 20, 1910, shows Sarah T. Edwards (age 79) born in Germany to German-born parents and having emigrated in 1853 is a widow with her Own Income and is living alone in her owned house at 355 Doty Street, 15th Ward, City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. In 1910 Myron and Royal are bachelor Farmers living in North Dakota. In 1920 Royal had married and was a Farmer in North Dakota. The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 13, 1920, shows Sarah T. Edwards (age 89) born in Alsace-Lorraine, France to Alsace-Lorraine-born parents and a naturalized citizen is a widow living in her own house at 355 Doty Street, 15th Ward, City of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with her is her widowed daughter, Sarah Reithehibach/Reithchibad (age 61) born in New Jersey to Alsace-Lorraine-born parents. Sarah T. (Scheidel) (Richter) Edwards died March 10, 1923, at her home in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI, at age 90. The Daily Northwestern, Oshkosh, WI, Tuesday, March 13, 1923 MRS. SARAH T. EDWARDS DIES AT FOND DU LAC Fond du Lac, Wis. - Mrs. Sarah T. Edwards, an old and highly respected resident of the city, is dead at her home, 355 Doty street. In spite of her advanced age, 92 years, Mrs. Edwards had been active until just a few months ago, and her death Saturday was due to old age. She was born in Alsace Loraine, July 4, 1830. When she was 20 years old she came to this country with her parents. She had been a resident of Fond du Lac for fifty years. Mrs. Edwards leaves two daughters, Mrs. Sadie Reichenbach and Mrs. Minnie Mensch, both of this city; one grandchild; two great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Burns, of Shiocton. Mrs. Edwards was a member of the Friedens Kirche and also of the Ladies' Aid Society of that church. The funeral will be held at 1:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the home and at 2 o'clock from the Friedens Evangelical Church on Military street, the Rev. C. L. Graner officiating. Burial will be in Estabrooks cemetery.
Sarah Edwards Richter was buried in Estabrooks Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Sarah Kuntz (born about 1855 in New Jersey) first married Carl Gustave Junknik (Unknown - about 1925; Ch. Paul Immanuel Jungnik: B. July 17, 1879 and died September 10, 1879. then married Unknown Reithehibad Mr. Jacob Shidel was of the frugal, honest German type and was in all respects a worthy neighbor and a good citizen. He is survived by his widow and two children, Fred C. Shidel of Amherst and Mrs. E. C. Ellis of this city. His oldest son, John A. Shidel, an engineer on the Wisconsin Central, was killed in a wreck at Des Plaines five years ago. He also leaves a brother and sister and half-sister, Adam Shidel of Milladore, Mrs. Elizabeth Burns of Shiocton, and Mrs. Sarah Edwards of Fond du Lac. Fred Shidel had been assisting in the care of his father since Friday. The brother and sister are here and Mrs. Edwards will also be present at the funeral. He was a member of the local Grand Army post. David Edwards was born 1787 in Gellygaer, Glamorganshire, Wales, and died Apr 1842 in Monmouthshire, Wales. He married ANN LAWRENCE ABT 1817, daughter of JENKIN LAWRENCE and SARAH POWELL. She was born 1793 in Trevethin Parish (Pontypool) Monmouthshire, and died 28 Apr 1846 in Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire, Wales.
Notes for DAVID EDWARDS: David Edwards' will of 28Feb1842, brought by Ann Edwards and proved at Llandaff on 18Aug1842, gives to Ann Edwards, his wife two leasehold houses situated at Twynyrodin in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire together with all of his personal estate. After her death he gives to Jenkin and John Edwards the two leasehold houses and a sum of five pounds for each. Also gives to sons William Edwards and Edward Edwards and to daughters Sarah Edwards and Jane Edwards each the sum of thirty pounds. Also he bequeaths to Ann Edwards seventy pounds for her own use and absolute benefit. In his will David Edwards is shown of the parish of Gellygaer, a farmer.
... Speculative remarks: It is likely that David Edwards' father's name was John Edwards. This inference is from the names given to his two eldest sons (twins) named John and Jenkin. Jenkin was his wife's father's name (Jenkin Lawrence), hence it is reasonable to assume that David's father's name was John. Also, a Rev. John Edwards (possibly a brother of David Edwards) was living in the Hafodrynys area in 1818 (his eldest son was baptised at St Iltyd's Oct 14, 1814. Later this John Edwards was clerk in Bedwas, then curate at St Semmes in Bedwellty. David Edwards may have been the innkeeper in Llantillo-Pertholey referenced in a bond record dated Sept 15 in the 55th year of the reign of King George III. (Given the date 1760 as the start of George III reign, this works out to 1815.) One of the two underwriters of the bond is John Edwards, tailor of Abergevenny. (John Edwards, tailor of Abergevenny, is mentioned as a suretor in a number of recognizance records.)
... Information sources: Burial from Llanhilleth parish records Wentland & Bryngwyn Manor copyhold title transfer D38 210-12,13,15 Abergevenny Hundred Lower Alehouse Recognizance, Gwent PRO QfAR 0006 p3.4
Notes for ANN LAWRENCE: Ann Lawrence and her three sisters (Elizabeth, Rachel, and Mary) were daughters of Jenkin Lawrence, a long-time resident of the Hafodyrynys area (extreme western part) of Trevethin parish. The Lawrence family lived on the Penhewl-cochwidd (Upper reddish road) farm in the Cefn-crib area of the parish. Because the Llanhilleth parish church, St Illtyd's, was much closer to the Lawrence farm than the parish church for Trevethin (St Craddoc's), the Lawrence family is as closely associated with the Llanhilleth parish as it is with Treventhin. David Edwards married Ann Lawrence and operated the Star Inn in the 1820s (probably a Lawrence property), and later farmed land jointly owned by his wife Ann and her sisters Elizabeth (Mrs John Green), Rachel (Mrs John Harris), and Mary (Mrs David Jones), coheiresses of their father's land. Ann Lawrence died in 1846, one year before five of her six children left for America. She is buried in St Illtyd's churchyard along with her husband and her sister Mary. ... Information sources: Westland & Bryngwyn Manor copyhold title transfer D38 210-12,13,15 Gwent Public Records Office Cumbran Llanhilleth cemetary monument inscriptions (Gwent Historical Society)
Children of DAVID EDWARDS and ANN LAWRENCE are:
8. WILLIAM DAVID3 EDWARDS (DAVID2, JOHN?1) was born 31 Oct 1823 in Wales, and died 17 Feb 1901 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He married (1) (UNKNOWN) ABT 1847 in Wales. He married (2) LYDIA (LYDIONA) ANN WHEATON ABT 1850 in Ohio. She was born 25 Mar 1829 in New York State, and died 15 Jan 1875 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He married (3) SARAH (EDWARDS) 19 Jun 1898. She was born Jul 1832 in Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, and died Aft. 1920.
Notes for WILLIAM DAVID EDWARDS: William Edwards' father, David Edwards, was an innkeeper and farmer in Llanhilleth parish (Monmouthshire) in the 1820s/1830s. Both David and his wife Ann Lawrence died in Wales: David in 1842, and Ann in 1846. William probably came to American (to Ohio with one of his Morris uncles?) about 1846 and married Lydia A. (born in New York state), but William and Lydia found themselves back in Wales in 1847 when their first child, Anna M. was born. (Note that Lydia is listed as Lydionia A. Edwards in the 1860 Fond du Lac County census.) However, their next two daughters, Mary J. and Eliza R., were born in Ohio. Sometime between 1853 and 1858 the family moved to Wisconsin, and established a 120 acre farm located between farms of his sister Sarah (Edwards) Watson and brother Edward. Their children David A.(1856), Sarah A.(1858), George(1859), Sherman(1863), Myron(1865), Rial(1866), and Francis(1868) were all born in Wisconsin. Lydia died sometime between 1870 and 1880 leaving William with a household of eight dependents. In the Fond du Lac Atlas listing of 1880: Wm Edwards, (widower, family of nine, one employee), 120 acres on west line of Section 36, Eldorado west, Wisconsin. The legal description of the Wm Edwards farm in late 1850s was: South quarter of SW quarter of Section 25 (40 acres) and North quarter of NW quarter of Section 36 (40 acres). The description of the farm in 1872 (after brother Edward left for Iowa) added: South half of NW quarter of NW quarter of Section 36 (20 acres) and north half of SW quarter of NW quarter of Section 36 (20 acres). The total farm was then 120 acres. The farm home was located on the west edge of the property on the north/south county road near the line between sections 25 and 36. The 1900 census lists William Edwards as the spouse (not head of house) with wife Sarah, living at 355 Doty St. The 1920 census shows Sarah T. Edwards and daughter Sarah Reithehibad (age 61, born in New Jersey) at that address. hansen Children of WILLIAM EDWARDS and (UNKNOWN) are: i. ANNA M.4 EDWARDS, b. ABT 1847, Wales. ii. MARY J. EDWARDS, b. ABT 1848, Ohio.
Children of WILLIAM EDWARDS and LYDIA WHEATON are: iii. ELIZA RACHEL4 EDWARDS, b. 19 Jul 1852, Akron, Massilon County, Ohio; m. CHARLES N. ETTER, 2 Dec 1895, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. iv. SARAH ALVINA EDWARDS, b. 10 Nov 1854, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin; m. AUGUSTUS L. HANSEN, 3 Jun 1876, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; b. ABT 1855, Germany. v. DAVID ALBERT EDWARDS, b. 22 Apr 1856, Wisconsin; d. 25 Jan 1875, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. vi. WILLIAM HENRY EDWARDS, b. 9 Dec 1857; d. 22 Dec 1874. vii. GEORGE IRVING EDWARDS, b. 24 Jul 1859, Wisconsin; m. DELIA E. (EDWARDS), 12 Mar 1885, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; b. Jul 1858, Wisconsin. viii. SHERMAN S. EDWARDS, b. 6 Oct 1862, Kirkwood, Wisconsin; d. Bef. 1920; m. RUBY ALICE ARMITAGE, 29 Dec 1898, Oakfield, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; b. Neosho, Wisconsin. ix. MYRON S. EDWARDS, b. 10 Apr 1864, El Dorado Twp, Fond du Lac Co., Wisconsin. x. ROYAL DAVID EDWARDS, b. 1866, Wisconsin. xi. FRANCIS EDWARDS, b. ABT 1868, Wisconsin. xii. FRANKLIN EDWARDS, b. 3 Mar 1869; d. 16 Jan 1875
More About William David Edwards: Arr/USA: Aug 1847, Phila PA Burial: Estabrook Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wis Chrstng: 25 Apr 1824, Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire Comment 1: Res: Wales(1847), Ohio(1848), Ohio(1853) Comment 2: Res: Wisconsin (1858, 1860, 1870)
More About Lydia (Lydiona) Ann (Wheaton): Burial: Estabrook Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wis
Sarah Kuntz (born about 1855 in New Jersey) first married Carl Gustave Junknik (Unknown - about 1925; Ch. Paul Immanuel Jungnik: B. July 17, 1879 and died September 10, 1879. then married Unknown Reithehibad Mr. Jacob Shidel was of the frugal, honest German type and was in all respects a worthy neighbor and a good citizen. He is survived by his widow and two children, Fred C. Shidel of Amherst and Mrs. E. C. Ellis of this city. His oldest son, John A. Shidel, an engineer on the Wisconsin Central, was killed in a wreck at Des Plaines five years ago. He also leaves a brother and sister and half-sister, Adam Shidel of Milladore, Mrs. Elizabeth Burns of Shiocton, and Mrs. Sarah Edwards of Fond du Lac. Fred Shidel had been assisting in the care of his father since Friday. The brother and sister are here and Mrs. Edwards will also be present at the funeral. He was a member of the local Grand Army post.
EDWARDS Family Sarah (Edwards) Watson, Jane Edwards, William David Edwards, and Edward Edwards Early Settlers of Eldorado Twp. This story is about six Welch immigrants, the Edwards children, who came to America in the 1840s. Four of them settled in newly-created Eldorado Township where they established farms and raised their families in pioneer conditions. We, two of the many descendants of these families, tell their story as a memorial to their industry and perserverance in attaining the American dream. Six of David and Ann Edwards'
children reached adulthood. Their eldest sons were twins, John and Jenkin, born
in 1818. The two were named for their paternal and maternal grandfathers. Next
were Sarah (1819) and William (1823) - both would come to figure prominently in
the history of Eldorado Township. And finally there were Edward (1828) and Jane
(1833). David Edwards and his wife, the
former Ann Lawrence, started out as tavern-keepers, first in Llantilo-Pertholey
(a few miles north of Pontypool), then at the Star public house in the
Hafodyrynys community, a property owned by Ann’s father, Jenkin Lawrence. Later,
David was mostly involved in working the Jenkin Lawrence farms, which were near
the Star on the Penhoelcochwidd Road. In the early 1840s, John, William
and Edward (by then young adults) worked as journeymen in a local foundry, the
Victoria Iron Works, situated a few miles to the north. By 1845 both David and
Ann had passed away and the children collectively decided to try their fortunes
in America. First William ventured forth with his new wife and child, then the
others followed, all together on the sailing ship Columbian, leaving
Liverpool on June 14, 1847, and arriving in Philadelphia almost two months
later, on August 4th. The Edwards on board were John (age 28) and his young
wife, Jemima (24), and their one year old infant, David.; John’s twin, Jenkin;
Sarah (27); Edward (19); and Jane (13). The newlywed James and Sarah, with young Jane in tow, immediately left for Fond du Lac to try their skill at opening new lands. In a few years they had cleared and cultivated a total of 320 acres. Sarah's brothers John, Jenkin and Edward joined their brother William in northeast Ohio where several families they had known back in Wales had settled. These people, the Morris families, were involved in the coal business. Two of these friends, John Morton Morris and his wife Ann, had operated the Carpenters Arms public house, which was located adjacent to the Llanhilleth church. Their daughter, Mary Morris, later became the wife of Edward Edwards. Brother John stayed in the northeast Ohio area where he and his wife Jemima (Rees) reared their seven children. John worked in the coal mining industry in various capacities and served during the Civil War in Company A of the 104th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Jenkin, John's twin, died in Ohio shortly after arriving there. After a few years in Ohio, both William and Edward decided to join their sister and brother-in-law in Wisconsin, and they purchased farms just south of the Watson property. All three farms were located about four miles east of the town of Eldorado, a half mile north of Highway "OO" on the east side of Seles Road. The Watsons became established in the community - James was Eldorado town treasurer for seven years, and he was chairman of the town board when he died in 1860. The couple raised seven children, several becoming prominent citizens in the town of Fond du Lac. After James' death Sarah married again, this time to Archibald McDonald, a Civil War veteran from Iowa. William and his second wife, Lydia, raised Ann and Mary, daughters of his first wife, and eight children of their own marriage on their Eldorado farm. One of their children, Sarah Alvina Edwards, married August Hansen. The Hansens raised a family of twelve children on their farm in Oakfield township. Shortly after arriving in Wisconsin, Edward Edwards served in the Civil War as a private in the Wisconsin 1st Regiment. After that, he stayed only a short while in Eldorado, leaving in 1870 with his wife Ann and their children for new opportunities in Nebraska, then later in Ayrshire, Iowa. This family raised a brood of seven children, three born on their Eldorado farm. And what about Jane Edwards? She never married, choosing instead to live with the family of her dear sister, Sarah. When Sarah died, just after the turn of the century, Jane lived the rest of her life in Fond du Lac with one of Sarah's daughters. As the last century came to a close the Watson and Edwards farms passed to other hands and most of the children’s families drifted out of the immediate area. But they all carried with them the strong sense of hard work and responsibility that came from leading successful lives on the American frontier. Submitted and authored by: |
