Daughter of Thomas C. Poor and his 2nd wife Martha Jane (Haynes) Poor from Delaware Co. IN. Married 8 Sept 1877 William Cassell Edwards b. 22 Sept 1849, the son of Absalom and Susannah (Wilson) Edwards who had lived in Niles Twp, Delaware Co. IN.


His father Absalom owned land in section 23 as early as 1833/36 being one of the first settlers. Absalom Edwards died from contracting the measles during his service in the Civil War. Just prior to entering Army life he had purchased 110 acres in Blackford County, IN but had had no time to make any improvements on it. His widow Susannah Edwards with 5 children and only an $8/month allowance as pension from his death, determined to make this land their home. They moved onto the unimproved land, erected a small log cabin and stable. William C. Edwards was her eldest son and he took the lead in the work of clearing and improving the land. They placed about 40 acres in good farming condition and then built a newer home to replace the little log cabin they had lived in for some time. Mary E. Poor and William Cassell were married in 1877. His mother died in 1880 and William Cassell Edwards inherited his portion of the land. He went on to purchase additional adjoining acreage, eventually obtaining a total of 71 acres. He had sixty acres in excellent cultivation. A descendant told me that the farm house is actually still standing in Indiana and her uncle lives across the street from the original farm that Mary E. and William had. She went on to say that the original house is no longer recognizable as it has been remodeled several times.

If you look at the photo of Mary E. and William C. Edwards, you'll see that Wm C has
a very long beard. A family story goes that one day he went to town to have it shaved off and upon his return knocked on the door of the house. His wife Mary answered and did not recognize him, telling him that he would have to wait outside under the tree until her husband returned.

The land he and Mary E. (Poor) Edwards owned also had two gas wells on it, operated by the Ft. Wayne Gas company. They were considered among the most productive wells of this company. He and Mary E. (Poor) Edwards had six children together, but one died in childhood (Carrie). They sent one of their daughters (Minnie) on to college, most progressive for a man of his time period. They worked the farm and cared for the children and became a good influence in the community. He was considered a most progressive and successful man in every walk of his life. Mary and William lived long lives, and died within 9 months of each other, with William passing first.

Wm. C. Edwards died at his home following a three weeks illness due to ‘paralysis.' He had been a resident of Blackford County, IN since he was 16. His grandsons served as pallbearers and his granddaughters carried flowers. Both Mary E. (Poor) Edwards and her husband are buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Blackford Co. IN.

Of note is the fact that in 1937 when Mary Elizabeth (Poor) Edwards died, her obituary stated that she still had two surviving sisters: Rachel Burrell of Logan, Montana and Martha J. Dougherty of Seattle, WA.
.
The six children of Mary Elizabeth POOR and William Cassell EDWARDS were:
Minnie Alice Edwards b. 4 May 1881 m. 16 Mar 1907 William A. Luzadder
Nellie I. Edwards b. July 1882 m. 1 Dec 1901 George D. Peck
Roscoe Allen Edwards b. 25 Jan 1887 d. 14 Apr 1974
Carrie May Edwards b. 1 July 1889 d. 22 Nov 1893
Zona Ann Edwards b. 16 Jan 1893 m.1 6 Jan 1912 John Wrestler, m.2. 29 Sept 1916 James Martin VanGordon.
Ralph Clayton Edwards b. 11 Jan 1895 d. 7 Feb 1974