Charles G. Edwards (1836 - 1914)

Born 11 May 1836 in Sodus Point, Wayne, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Nov 1914 at age 78 in Danville, Broome, New York, United States

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Biography

Charles was born in 1836.

Books

From The Story of a Thousand

Charles G. Edwards was born at Sodus Point, N. Y., May 11, 1836. Received a good common school education; was employed as clerk in an importing house in New York City, in 1853; came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1859, where he engaged in the drug business until the firing on Fort Sumter in 1861. In April of that year he enlisted in Company B, 19th Ohio Infantry in the three months' service. In June, 1862, was commissioned Captain of Company A 105th Ohio Voluntary Infantry; was wounded three times at Perryville, Ky. In May, 1863, was relieved of command of Company A and detailed as acting field officer; was commissioned major July 16, 1863, and lieutenant-colonel February 18, 1864, but not mustered because the regiment was below the limit entitling to a full set of officers. Was also breveted lieutenant-colonel U. S. V., for "gallantry in the Atlanta campaign." He commanded the regiment after Colonel Perkins was wounded at Chickamauga, September 21, 1863, until the return of Colonel Tolles on November 20, 1863. He was also in command of the regiment during the pursuit of Hood, October and part of November, 1864. He was continuously with the regiment except when absent from wounds, and was mustered out with it as major on June 3, 1865, at Washington D. C. He is an active and honored member of the Loyal Legion, Minnesota Commandery. In 1870 he moved to Minnesota; has served four terms in the legislature as state senator; was a delegate at large to the Republican National Convention held at Chicago, 1888. In 1889 he was appointed Collector of Customs for the District of Minnesota. ^[1]

Newspapers

1864-Feb-24, “Western Reserve Chronicle”

Promotions in the 105th Regt.

In the list of recent promotions in Ohio Volunteer Regiments, we observe the following in the 105th: ...; Major Chas. G. Edwards, Lieut. Colonel; ... ^[2]

Letters

Letter from Charles C. Caley to his wife, Juliaett, 18-Dec-1884, page 4, from camp near Savannah, Georgia

... Nov. 15th got into Atlanta about noon found a part of the town burnt and the fire was runing like a huricane about four.o.clock the rooms used for keeping rations cloathing and a most every thing elce for the armey caught fire and every thing was likely to be burnt So the Soldiers pitched inn and Stold every thing they could get holt of Atlanta was burnt to ashes before day light of the 16th 16th we left Atlanta about nine o.clock marched through Decater about noon marched to the right of Stone Mountain making about sixteen milds and camped

17th marched at day light marched until about 11.o.clock and began to tare up rail road worked until about two oc and marched on through Lythania 18th marched at day light Sending out a detail for forage Cap. Wilcox was inn the Squad that went out about two o.clock Some of the boys came up to us and reported rebel Cavalry out to the left and that they had wounded Capt Wilcox and Several men Maj Edwards [i.e., Maj. Charles G. Edwards, 105th Ohio Infantry] with four companies A. F. D and I went inn persuit we met Capt Wilcox all right we then went to the Spot whare the fighting was ...

Sources

Census

"United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCR1-NM3 : 12 April 2016), Charles Edwards in household of William Edwards, Sodus, Wayne, New York, United States; citing family 725, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCG2-CD6 : 12 April 2016), C G Edwards in entry for Benjemin Niblock, 1860.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ97-14K : 26 August 2017), Charles G Edwards, Spring Valley, Fillmore, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district ED 86, sheet 448D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0619; FHL microfilm 1,254,619.

"Minnesota State Census, 1895," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ6H-842 : 3 April 2016), Charles G Edwards, St. Paul city, Ward 07, Ramsey, Minnesota; citing p. 75, line 12, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 565,801.

Death

Death Notice, "Mower County Transcript", Lansing, Minnesota

Colonel Charles G. Edwards, former collector of United States customs, at St. Paul, a veteran of the Civil war and an active member of the Loyal Legion, Minnesota commandery, is dead at Dansville, N. Y. Colonel Edwards left St. Paul about four years ago.^[3]

Obituary, "Democrat and Chronicle", Rochester, New York

Dansville, Nov. 10. -- Colonel Charles G. Edwards, who made his home in Dansville for a year and a half, died in his home in Lower Main street last night after a three-year illness. He was the son of William and Marie Fitzhugh Edwards, of Sodus Point, and his wife who died thirteen years ago, was Miss Rose M. Rogers of the same place. While in Florida in December, 1911, he became ill and moved to Youngstown, Ohio, coming to Dansville in May, 1913.

Colonel Edwards was an officer in the Civil war and was promoted for gallantry. Of his services in the army, the late Judge Albion W. Tourgee speaks as follows in his book "The Story of a Thousand:" ... (see biography section of this profile) ...

Colonel Edwards leaves a sister, Miss Katherine H. Edwards, who has been his constant companion and attendant during his long illness, and the following nieces and nephews: Mrs. James M. Edwards and Miss Lillian F. Edwards of Dansville; Colonel W. F. Endress of Jamestown; Mrs. C. I. McNair, of Cloquet, Minn.; William E. Manning, Miss Marie Manning, Miss Helen Manning, all of Youngstown, Ohio; Charles H. Edwards, Miss Katherine Edwards and Mrs. Maud Gray, all of Weaversville, California. ^[4]

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/184348303/charles-g-edwards: accessed 17 May 2023), memorial page for Charles G. Edwards (11 May 1836–9 Nov 1914), Find a Grave Memorial ID 184348303, citing Sodus Rural Cemetery, Sodus, Wayne County, New York, USA; Maintained by RKosters (contributor 47480799).

Footnotes

1. ↑ The Story of a Thousand by Albion Winegar Tourgée, pages 21-22, published by S. McGerald & Son, 1896
2. ↑ “Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1864-Feb-24, page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/image/143556100/
3. ↑ "Mower County Transcript", Lansing, Minnesota, 1914-Nov-25, page 7, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13544527/mower_county_transcript/
4. ↑ "Democrat and Chronicle", Rochester, New York, 1914-Nov-20, page 14, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13549326/democrat_and_chronicle/