Biographies

OLIVER EDMUNDS, deceased, was a native of Ohio, born on the 26th of May, 1829.

His parents were Obediah and Lydia Edmunds. Their family numbered ten children, of whom Oliver was the youngest. All are now deceased, and he was the last survivor of the family.

The first eight years of his life were spent in the Buckeye State, and he then accompanied his parents on their emigration westward in 1836, locating in Terre Haute Township, Henderson County. Here our subject attended the subscription schools, acquiring a fair knowledge of the English branches of learning. Through the summer months he worked at home, and soon became familiar with all the duties of farm life. He continued to give his father the benefit of his services until twenty-two years of age, when he embarked in farming for himself, purchasing of his father two hundred acres of land, which he at once began to cultivate and improve.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Mr. Edmunds chose Miss Eliza Spiker, daughter of Henry and Rachel ( Hukill ) Spiker. Their marriage was celebrated on the 19th of March. 1854, and was blessed with a family of four children: Rilla, wife of Marion Ison, a practicing physician, now living in Iowa; John A., who is engaged in fanning in Hancock County ; C. Sherman, also an agriculturist of Hancock County; and Bertie H., who lives with his mother, and superintends the old home farm.

Mr. Edmunds was a man of good business and executive ability, and by his industry, enterprise and sagacity won success in his undertakings. He added to his farm until, at the time of his death, he owned two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, which comprised the old homestead, where Mrs. Edmunds now lives, and which he had placed under a high state of cultivation.

He owned also three hundred and twenty acres in Hancock County, Ill., and made many excellent improvements upon it, his farm being one of the best in the neighborhood.

He exercised his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and was a public-spirited and progressive citizen.

He died January 27, 1894, and his loss was deeply mourned, for he had many warm friends.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.