Benjamin M. Edens, one of Moore County’s pioneer citizens, was born in Madison County, Alabama, July 13, 1822, and is one of five surviving members of a family of nine children born to Samuel and Nancy (Franks) Edens. The father was a native of South Carolina, and came to Limestone County, Alabama, where he married the mother of our subject. They came to Lynchburg, this county, in 1825, located, and engaged in farming. The father’s death occurred about 1866, and the mother followed him about 1870.
Our subject remained with his parents until his majority, after which he began farming for himself. September 1849, he led to the hymeneal altar Pauline Blythe, a native of Moore County. This union resulted in the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living. Immediately after marriage they settled on the farm where they now reside. At that time it was an unbroken wilderness, but by hard labor and perseverance, and after enduring many privations customary with the pioneer settlers, he now owns a fine tract of over 200 acres of mostly cultivated land. Mr. Edens cast his first vote in 1844, and has always voted for the nominees of the Democratic Party. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.