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.