ISAAC, EDWARDS has been a resident and respected citizen of Waukesha County for forty years, and in forwarding the interests of his community has ever been foremost. He was born near the historic city of Quebec, Canada, in October, 1834, and was the third in a family of nine [12] children, three sons and six [9] daughters, of whom five are living. The parents of the children were Henry and Ellen (Emerson) Edwards, for further mention of whom see sketch of John Edwards. Until sixteen years of age the gentleman whose name heads this account remained with his parents in Canada, where the greater pat of his education was acquired; then leaving the parental roof he began the battle of life which he has waged heroically since. Going to the Green Mountain State [Vermont] he hired out at $14 per month, and after remaining there three years his father induced him to return home. Together they emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854, landing in Milwaukee, which was then a place of no great importance. The first location of the Edwards family was on section 29 of Lisbon Township.
Mr. Edwards of this sketch made his home under the parental roof until his marriage, October 25, 1862, to Miss Sarah Ann Wilkins, a native of Dorchester, England. Nine children were born of this union, two sons and seven daughters, of whom six are living, namely; M. Melinda, who was very proficient in music, became the wife of Robert Taylor, a prosperous farmer of Delafield Township; G. Cora, who graduated from Carroll College in the Class of '86, and for a number of years was a successful teacher in the public school, wedded Elmer Weaver, son of Hon. Thomas Weaver; M. Julia wedded Alden J. Grover, a farmer and stockman of Hawkeye, Iowa; Ida H., who was a student of Carroll College and a successful teacher for several years, married George J. Stratton, a merchant of Janesville, Wis.; Irene, who is at home, was educated in Carroll College, and has developed quite a talent for elocution. That she possesses more than ordinary ability in that direction is shown by the fact that she has taken five or six prizes for which she has competed, among them being a gold and a silver medal. Nellie E., the youngest, has given especial attention to instrumental music. Mr. Edwards has four grandchildren, Delbert Ray and Grace S. Stratton, Gladys B. Weaver and an infant of Mrs. Taylor's.
On the 23d of May, 1893, Mr. Edwards was deprived by death of his beloved companion, who for over thirty years had shared the happiness as well as the trials of life with him. Mrs. Edwards was born October 4, 1841, and until twenty years of age remained in her native land. She was one of eleven children. In June, 1861, the Wilkins family set sail from Liverpool, but so rough and unfavorable was the weather that nine weeks were consumed in making the voyage to New York. The first year after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Edwards lived in the town of Lisbon; they then removed to their present home in the town of Pewaukee. They were without means, but as both were industrious and frugal the road to success was made such shorter and easier. In order to purchase their farm it was necessary to go in debt $3500, which in course of time was paid off; a beautiful home and large barns were erected and other improvements made. The home and all its surroundings evince enterprise, taste and culture. The unimproved farm with its log cabin has been transformed by Mr. Edwards into one of the valuable farms of Pewaukee Township. In addition to farming he is interested in the dairy business.
Politically Mr. Edwards is a true blue Republican, and with his party has been identified since he first voted for John C Fremont, giving every Presidential candidate since his unqualified support. His interest in political affairs has not been prompted by selfish motives, as has has never been an aspirant for places of public trust or emolument. He and his family are active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the children belong to the Epworth League, of which Miss Irene is Second Vice-President. The Edwards estate comprises one hundred and thirty-six acres of land on section 2, Pewaukee Township, which has been the home of its present possessor for nearly a third of a century. [PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD; page 281-282]

Isaac Edwards died at his home in Lisbon, Wednesday October 11 in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The deceased was born in Sylvester, Canada, but had been a resident of Lisbon in 1855. He leaves a wife and six daughters to mourne his death. Mrs. James Grover, Waukesha; Mrs. George Stratton, LaCrosse; Mrs. Wiliam Hawes, Lisbon; Mrs. Robert Taylor, Pewaukee; Mrs. Elmer Weaver, Sussex; and Miss Nellie Edwards, Milwaukee.
Isaac Edwards was born September 21, 1834. He came to Wisconsin in 1855, and resided in the town of Lisbon, Waukesha County, until 1868 when he bought his present farm in the town of Pewaukee, on which he resided continuously up to the time of his death. He was buried in Rose Hill cemetery on October 14. Mr. Edwards was married twice. His first wife, Sarah Wilkins, whom he married October 26, 1862, died Mary 26, 1893. On April 6, 1898, he married Mrs. Lois Nichols Johnson who survives him.
The death of Mr. Edwards, removes a man of strong character, and an upright citizen who did his portion in developing the county, and who will be long missed from his accustomed place. [Waukesha Freeman October 19, 1911]