(Taken from The Edwards Family Tree by Mandy Edwards Jones)
Thomas Bryan Eddwards was born on the family homestead one mile north and one and a half miles west of Lorimor, Iowa on November 26, 1901, to John Gaylord and Sarah Vicotria Berry Edwards. His mother, Sarah, died when he was only four, but her beautiful auburn hair was always remembered.
His first teacher, Jesse Patrik, remembered him as a small child for his age, who was often sad and lonely. However, when allowed ‘a few rounds’ in a nearby field with brother Sherd, he would return to school happy.
A move to the Old Stoner Farm north of Murray, Iowa around 1912 was followed by a move to a dairy farm south of Clive, Iowa. There he attended high school, played football (sustaining a broken nose several times) and delivered milk on the route. He quit school just short of graduation to work the coal mines and deliver coal in Des Moines.
Although he registered for both World Wars, WWI ended while he was at Fort Des Moines, and he was too old to be called for WWII.
While singing at the Old Orphium Theatre in Des Moines he met a young violinist in the orchestra, Beatrice Tilton of Norwalk, Iowa. They were married on January 14, 1926. This musical union helped them ease the tensions of farming and the depression of the 30’s. Much of their entertaining was done in the form of his calling square dances in the home and her chording on the piano. Many hours were spent with the family gathered around the piano sharing their talents. The entertainer in him gave birth to a fascinating storyteller, most of which centered around the coon hunting and the depression.
Although he was a farmer at heart, during the 30’s he stacked straw for a dollar a day; blew stumps for the new highway 169; raised black and tan coonhounds; hunted coons and trapped muskrat and mink to supplement the farm income. He was a member of the Madison County Coon Hunters Club for several years. He earned many trophies with many different dogs over the years. He and a fellow enthusiast went hunting on opening day for well over 40 years.
His six children and twenty-four grandchildren were always so special to him. The loss of a son and two grandsons later affected him deeply but he loved to tell the story of his ‘twin’ grandsons: Jean’s JR and Sarah’s Roger who were born only a few minutes apart.
His last job, taken upon his declining health was that of Union County Weed Commissioner. He loved to tell the story of putting on clean overalls to meet the Governor of Iowa.
Tom died at his home near Lorimor, Iowa on May 27, 1977, and will always be remembered with great fondness by his family for his love and stories.
