W. G. Edwards, who followed the acquirement of his education in the district schools, took up the occupation of farming, which he has since followed his home being near Kansasville, was born in Dover Township on the 18th of March, 1848, his parents being Thomas and Martha (Mayo) Edwards, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married. On coming to the United States they settled in Dover Township, Racine County, and the father purchased land from the government. He was a son of Thomas and Susan Edwards, who established their home in Dover Township about the year 1845 and spent their remaining days in that locality. The maternal grandfather of W. G. Edwards, however, continued his residence in England until his death. Thomas Edwards devoted his life to farming in this County for many years and took an active part in instituting the work of early development, whereby the region was reclaimed for the purposes of civilization. He was also interested in the moral development of the community, both he and his wife belonging to the Episcopal Church in England, while in this country they attended different churches. In politics he was a democrat and was called upon to fill sonic Township offices. Although he started out in business life empty handed, he won a creditable measure of success and was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land at the time of his demise. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom three are yet living: Thomas. a retired farmer of Rochester: W. and James, who carries on fanning in Dover Township.
W. G. Edwards mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools and when his textbooks were put aside took up the occupation of farming, which he has always followed. His early training was of a most practical character and as the years have passed he has adopted the most progressive methods in his farm work. He has one hundred and sixty acres of land devoted to general farming and he also makes a specialty of feeding cattle and hogs. He has a good residence, which he erected, and also substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and all of the improvements upon his place were put there by him.
In 1873 Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Anna Maria Hinchliffe, a daughter of Squire Hinchliffe, who was born in England and in early life came to the United States. There are four children of this marriage, all graduates of the Rochester schools. Edwin, who was educated in the common schools and in the academy at Rochester and now follows farming in Dover Township, married Lucy Brook and has one child, Thomas. Effie is the wife of P. T. Hawley, who is employed by the Model Laundry Company of Milwaukee, where they reside, and they have one child, Robert. Harley, who supplemented his district school education by study in the academy at Rochester, is at home. Lora is the wife of Lawrence Noble, a Dover Township farmer, and they have one child, Hurl.
In politics Mr. Edwards is a democrat and has filled the office of town treasurer, while as a member of the school board he has done effective work in the interests of public education. His attention, however, is largely given to his farming interests and the persistency of purpose which he has displayed and the sound judgment which he has manifested in his work have been the elements in gaining for him his present position as a substantial and prosperous farmer.