LA PLATA HOME PRESS, La Plata, Missouri

September 24, 1903

CHARLES S. EDWARDS

---Charles Stewart Edwards departed this life September 5, 1903, aged 78 years, seven months and seven days.

---He was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, January 29, 1826. He was twice married. First to Miss Serena A. Pendarvis in 1849. To them were born two girls, Eliza E. Rynearson of Manchester, Kansas and Serena A. Clark who preceded her to the better land eight years ago. After the death of his first wife, he remained a widower for twenty-eight years, and then married Lucinda B. Ross of Ghest, Kentucky. To this union was blessed with four children-one son and three daughters, all of whom are living.

---He united with the Methodist Church in early boyhood and remained a member of that church until in 1866, when he moved from Illinois to La Plata and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, there being no Methodist Church in La Plata at that time. A short time after he was elected an elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, which office he held until elected to a higher one in Heaven.

---He was Chaplain of the G.A.R. and honorably filled that office until released by death.

---And to each of the remaining soldiers he would say that if you are not prepared to meet your dear brother in that happy home above, make that preparation while you have the opportunity for he had great respect and love for each of you. And his bereaved wife and children, tender their sincere thanks to each member of the G.A.R. who so kindly administered to him in his last illness.

---He was a brave soldier of the Cross and showed this to the world by his godly walk and conversation. His bible was his constant companion and he was familiar with many passages of scriptures. The last time his feeble steps took him to the house of God was the 26th of July. A short time after he was stricken down, and for two weeks suffered greatly but bore his suffering with christian fortitude. During the last illness the love and respect with which he was held in the community was shown by the untiring devotion of his christian friends, and as long as he had strength, he would greet them with a smile and an effort to converse. We are taught in God's word that those who obey His Word shall have eternal life and he is now rejoicing around the great white throne of God.

---Could we but pierce the veil and behold his radiant form, we would exclaim, "Blessed are they who died in the Lord." We would say to his grief-stricken wife and sorrowing children and brother, he is not dead, but sleepeth, and if we will only hold out faithful, as our dear one has done, we will soon meet him where tears and parting are no more.

---His funeral discourse was preached by Rev. W. H. Johnston of Callao, assisted by his pastor, Rev. Sherman. Text of sermon, "It is well." Rev. H. K. Crockett led in prayer. The elders acted as pallbearers, assisted by the G.A.R.

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Also see the HISTORY OF RANDOLPH AND MACON COUNTY, MISSOURI published in 1884, pages 948 & 949. It states that "His father was Capt. William Edwards, originally of Maryland, and his mother before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Floyd, a native of Virginia."

Sergeant, Company B, 91st Illinois Infantry

per Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database, Illinois State Archives