John Edwards (Arkansas politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Edwards
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 3rd district |
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| In office March 4, 1871 – February 9, 1872 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Boles |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Boles |
| Member of the Indiana Senate from Lawrence County |
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| In office November 3, 1852 – November 8, 1854 |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Newland |
| Succeeded by | Abraham Jonathan Hostetler |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from Lawrence County |
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| In office December 1, 1845 – December 7, 1846 |
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| Preceded by | Lucian Q. Hoggatt |
| Succeeded by | Samuel W. Short |
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| Born | October 24, 1815 Louisville, Kentucky |
| Died | April 8, 1894 (aged 78) Washington, D.C. |
| Spouse | Mary Bevens Edwards |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands | 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
John Edwards (born October 24, 1815 – died April 8, 1894) was an important figure in American history. He was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also served as a politician, representing Arkansas in the United States House of Representatives.
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About John Edwards' Life
John Edwards was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He didn't go to a lot of school, but he studied law on his own. He then became a lawyer.
He married Eliza Jane Knight on July 8, 1834. They had seven children together. Later, he married Catherine Whisenand on May 8, 1854, and they had three children. His third wife was Mary Burland Bevans, whom he married on April 28, 1880. They had two daughters.
John Edwards' Career and Public Service
To live in a free state, John Edwards moved to Indiana. There, he became a lawmaker in the Indiana House of Representatives in 1845 and 1846. He had inherited enslaved people from his family in Kentucky. However, he chose to free them and gave them land to start new lives in Indiana.
He then moved to California. In 1849, he was chosen as an alcalde, which was a local leader or judge.
Edwards returned to Indiana in 1852. He was a member of the Whig political party. He served in the Indiana State Senate in 1853. That same year, he moved to Chariton, Iowa, and continued his law practice.
In 1856, he helped write Iowa's new state constitution. He also started a newspaper called the Patriot in 1857. When the Republican Party was formed, he joined it. He was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1858 and again in 1860. In 1860, he was chosen as the Speaker of the House.
Military Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, John Edwards joined the army. On May 21, 1861, he became a lieutenant colonel. He worked for the Governor of Iowa, helping to protect the border with Missouri.
On August 8, 1862, he became a colonel. He led the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment throughout the war. After the war, he was honored with the rank of brigadier general.
After the War
After the war, Edwards moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas. President Johnson appointed him to a government job, where he worked from 1866 to 1869.
He was elected to the United States Congress in 1871. He served as a U.S. Representative for Arkansas. However, his election was challenged by another politician, Thomas Boles. Edwards served until February 1872. He did not run for reelection and later moved to Washington, D.C.
Later Life and Death
John Edwards passed away in Washington, D.C., on April 8, 1894. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
