Biographies
R. M. EDWARDS
R. M. EDWARDS, superintendent of the Isle Royale Copper Company, was born at Houghton, Houghton County, Michigan, in 1864, and is a son of Thomas W. Edwards, who was born in Devonshire, England, and came here about 1850, being at that time about 11 years old. His death occurred in 1899, when he was in his 60th year.
Richard Edwards, the grandfather of our subject, at the time he came to America with his son, Thomas W., and located in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, took charge of the Albion mine, in the interest of Philadelphia parties, and also, in Keweenaw County, had charge of the Manhattan mine. He was a practical miner, having followed the business in England. He resided at Houghton, Michigan, where he died at the age of 70 years, one of the most respected citizens of the place. Thomas W. Edwards was not so active in management, but was a mine owner and capitalist, and was largely interested in real estate. He opened the Wolverine mine, north of Calumet, and was interested in a number of properties until his death. He also resided at Houghton, Michigan, where he was prominent in political life and stood for election to the office of supervisor on the Democratic ticket. His widow, a native of the State of New York, resides at Houghton. The members of the family, exclusive of our subject, are: George C, who is in the National Bank of Houghton; Mrs. John Knox, whose husband is at the Trimountain mine, where they reside; W. L., who is in business at Baraga, Baraga County, Michigan; and Emma, who resides with her mother.
In 1886 R. M. Edwards, the subject of this sketch, graduated at the Columbia School of Mines, at New York City, and then filled the position of professor of mining at the Houghton College of Mines until 1889. The succeeding 10 years were spent as mining engineer for the Tamarack Mining Company, during which time he lived in the vicinity. In 1900 he moved to Houghton to accept his present position and owns a fine home in East Houghton. The Isle Royale Copper Company had been organized by the consolidation of several mines some years prior to this. It controls about 3,000 acres and gives employment to a large force, averaging 250 and sometimes reaching 600 in number. Mr. Edwards has the difficult task of superintending this large business, and his executive force is exemplified in his admirable organization of men and labor.
In 1893 Mr. Edwards married a daughter of Peter Gottstein, a pioneer of this region, and a granddaughter of Joseph Paull, also well known. Politically Mr. Edwards is identified with the Democratic party. In his religious views he is an Episcopalian.
SOURCE: Biographical Record: This Volume Contains Biographical
Sketches of Leading ...
by Biographical publishing company, Chicago, Biographical Publishing
Company, Biographical Publishing Company - Houghton County (Mich.) -
published 1903