Edwardsi  
 
 

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     IRA D. EDWARDS is an active, enterprising young man of Wenatchee, Chelan county, engaged in the real estate, insurance and loan business.  He was born in Hastings, Nebraska, February 13, 1879.  His parents, William W. and Margaret J. Edwards, were natives of Wales, coming to the United States in 1680, and settling in Pennsylvania, removing to Nebraska later.  The father was a miner in Pennsylvania and a farmer and business man in Nebraska.  The parents now reside in Seattle, Washington, where they lead a retired life.
     Until the age of ten years, Ira D. Edwards passed his time in Nebraska and attended the public schools.  The family then removed to Seattle, Washington, and here Ira found employment as cash boy in the extensive mercantile firm of Chester Cleary.  At the age of thirteen he matriculated in the "Acme Business College," remaining one term.  This educational privilege was, however, confined to evening studies.  When Newhall & Company purchased the stock of Chester Clarey, young Edwards remained with the new firm four years, rising from cash boy to manager of the wrapping and shipping department, taking this responsible position when he was but sixteen years of age, and having full charge of delivery wagons, cash boys, wrapping and shipping clerks.  In this position he remained four years.
     He first came to Wenatchee to pass a month's vacation, but was so favorably impressed with the possibilities of the country that he decided to remain.  The first year he leased a fruit ranch, and met with fair success in the enterprise.  The following three years he was in charge of the dry goods department of D. A. Beal.  Realizing the flattering prospects of the magnificent valley of the Columbia, in the vicinity of Wenatchee, our subject, in 1902, decided to engage in the real estate business.  He handles irrigated fruit and wheat lands, city property, loans, investments, insurance, etc.
     Mr. Edwards has one brother and sister, Earl W., a school boy in Seattle, and Sadie M., residing in the Seattle home of her parents.  Our subject is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and is Noble Grand of Lodge No. 157, I. 0. 0. F., Wenatchee, and is a member of the Rebekahs.  Politically he is a Republican, and one of the trustees of the Wenatchee Commercial Club.  He owns a business building of which he occupies a portion, renting the rest, and other business, residence and acerage properties.