History of Barnegat, (Ocean County) New Jersey United States of America

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James Thomas Edwards, educator, was born at Barnegat, N.J., Jan. 6, 1838; son of the Rev. Job and Susanna (Haywood) Edwards; grandson of James Edwards, and of Thomas Haywood, and great-grandson of James Edwards, an officer in the Revolution. On the side of his grandmother, Sophia Ridgway Edwards, he descended froth Richard Ridgway and Elizabeth his wife, who came from England in 1679, settled first in Pennsylvania and afterward went to New Jersey. He was prepared for college at Pennington seminary, and was graduated from Wesleyan university, Middletown, Conn., in l860. He taught natural science at Amenia seminary, N.Y., 1860-61, and at Providence conference seminary, East Greenwich, R.I., l861-62. He enlisted as a private in the 11th Rhode Island volunteers and served as 1st lieutenant, and as adjutant, 1862-63. He was teacher of natural science at Providence conference seminary, 1863, and principal of the seminary, 1864-70, during which time be also served three terms as state senator. He was a Grant and Colfax presidential elector in 1868; canvassed the state for the ticket, and was prominently mentioned as representative in congress, but declined the nomination. He was active in the general educational interests of Rhode Island, being prominent in the establishment of its first normal school, and president of the State teachers' association in 1869. In 1870 he was transferred to the Erie conference, where he was principal of the Chamberlain institute and female college, Randolph, N.Y., 1870-92, and state senator, 1892-93, serving as chairman of the committees on railroads and public education. He became connected with the Chautauqua movement at the beginning and from 1881 to 1893 was the head of the scientific department. He removed to McDonogh, near Baltimore, Md., in 1893, and became principal of the McDonogh school. He twice served as a member of the general conference, the legislative body of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married July 10, 1862, to Emma A. Baker of Somerville, Mass. He received from Allegheny college the degree of D.D. in 1876, and that of LL.D. in 1891. He is the author of: The Grass Family; The Silva of Chautauqua Lake; Addresses: Educational, Political, Scientific, Religious; Pen and Picture, a Chautauqua Sketch Book, and numerous public addresses.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Barnegat, (Ocean County) New Jersey

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