Biography of R. H. Edwards
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 877
R. H. EDWARDS, proprietor Empire Livery, and a prominent grain dealer of London and Central Ohio, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, January 16, 1844. He is a son of James P. Edwards, a native of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Society of Friends. He came to Ohio about fifty years ago, locating in Jeffersonville where he was a pioneer merchant. He subsequently removed to Charleston, Clark County where he died October, 1872. He married Susan, daughter of Col. Robert Hill of Virginia, and a pioneer of Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Edwards passed away from earth, in December 1879. Our subject is the oldest of four children, three living, and two residents of Madison County. He was mostly reared in Charleston, Clark County, and when young assisted his father in the mercantile trade. He subsequently traveled for Erhart & Beeson, wholesale grocers of Columbus, remaining with them six years. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but officiated as Private Secretary to Gen. Milroy, during his two years services. After leaving the army, he traveled some and finally located at Detroit, where he became a member of the firm L. W. Linker & Co., wholesale grocers and tea dealers. He was engaged in this business eight or nine years, and in 1879 came back to Ohio, locating in London. In April 1880, Mr. Edwards purchased the Empire Livery Stable where he has met with good success. He first commenced buying grain in 1878, and has purchased and shipped for Eastern parties since. He buys all over Central and Southern Ohio, his yearly trade averaging 1,000 to 1,200 cars. Mr. Edwards was one of the organizers, and is now a Director and Secretary of the London Driving Park Association. He is Unitarian in religious belief and Republican in politics. He was married January 10, 1869, to Fannie Thomas, of Delaware County, Penn. Mrs. Edwards died of consumption in October 1876, while in attendance at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia. He was again married. October 2, 1878 to Lydia M. Leach, a native of Fayette County, Ohio, a sister of Mrs. Jeremiah Rea of London and daughter of Benjamin Leach. a pioneer of Fayette County, Ohio. They have a son and daughter -- Pierrepont and Wanah.
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