WILLIAM W. EDWARDS: ESQ.
Born in Smyth county, Virginia, on the Edwards homestead where he
now resides, September 9, 1836, has always lived in Smyth county,
where he has filled with honor the office of magistrate for sixteen years,
serving before, during and since the war.
He married, near Chilhowie, December 27, 1865, Rachel Maria
Bonham, who was born on the 8th of November, 1839. Mrs. Edwards
is a daughter of Joseph P. Bonham, an early magistrate and high
sheriff of Smyth county, born in that county, the son of Hezekiah
Bonham. Her mother was Mary, daughter of Robert Gollohon, also
of Smyth county.
Mr. Edwards' father was John Edwards, who came to Smyth county
from Stokes county, North Carolina, where he was born, the son of
Isaac Edwards. John Edwards served in the war of 1812, and his
father had seven brothers in the Revolutionary war, who were in the
battle of Guilford C. H., North Carolina. The mother of William W.
was Elizabeth M., daughter of John N. Yanders, who came from Germany
to Pennsylvania, then to Southwestern Virginia, settling first in
Wythe county, then removing to Smyth county.
Many near friends and immediate relatives of Mr. Edwards were in
the army of the South during the late war, among them a brother-in-law
who served in King's Battery.
