Phillip Edwards

CHARLESTON Special Correspondence

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE.

On the morning of January 14, 1908 Phillip Edwards died at his home in Charleston at the ripe old age of seventy-four.

Mr. Edwards was born at Sussex, England, December 24, 1833. At the age of twenty-three he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On February 19, 1860, he married to Miss Mary Simmons and on the first of April the same year, he, with his wife, set sail in the good ship "Underwriter" for America, arriving at New York on May 1st, making a remarkable quick voyage for those times.

They continued on their trip by rail to Florence, Nebraska and the balance of the journey was made with oxen in the J. D. Ross Company.

Arriving at Salt Lake on September 3 making the entire trip in the then short space of five months and three days. They made their encampment on historical Eighth Ward square where the city and county building now stands.

In a short time, he, being a butcher by trade, engaged, in the meat business and remained at that labor until 1883, when he came with his family to Charleston. He bought a farm and established himself a home where he has since resided. He graduated up through the various offices of the church and at his death he was a High Priest.

He was the father of five sons and five daughters, all of whom with his wife survive him, except one daughter, Eliza Bagley, who died in Salt Lake City three weeks ago. He also had 55 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. All of the family are good citizens and are a credit to his integrity and sterling worth. He was a good neighbor and a faithful member of the church.

For many years he was a sufferer from rheumatism but he was always cheerful and able to be about until a few months ago he was struck with dropsy from the effects of which he died as above stated. Funeral services were held in the Charleston meetinghouse and interment was made in the Charleston Cemetery.

At the funeral consoling remarks were made by President Joseph R. Murdock, Patriarch N. C. Murdock and Bishop J. M. Ritchie and Robert Lindsay. Each of them spoke of praise of the sterling qualities of the deceased and the good works he has accomplished.

-Wasatch Wave, January 17, 1908, transcribed by Rhonda Holton