Rutland

EDSON, Ezra

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 118 
(portrait p 118)

Ezra EDSON, of Mendon [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 12 January 1813 in 
Turner [Androscoggin County], Maine, one of seven children, himself and one 
brother being the only survivors, sons of Cyrus and Hannah (HUDSON) EDSON. 
His parents, descended from Puritan ancestry, removed from Bridgewater 
[Plymouth County], Massachusetts, first to Maine, and afterwards to 
Shrewsbury [Rutland County, Vermont], in 1817, but finally took up their 
abode in South Mendon. Here the son [Ezra EDSON] was educated in the common 
schools and West Rutland Academy, never losing an opportunity to improve his 
mind by private study and reading. Though having a strong predilection for 
the legal profession, the force of circumstances caused him to learn the 
trade of a blacksmith, and in this capacity he was for some time in the 
employment of the Ames Company at Bridgewater. He then returned to Mendon, 
purchased a farm, but after some years removed to the village, devoting 
himself to the labors of the forge and dealing to a considerable extent in 
real estate. Socially and politically he is eminent in his section, and has 
held every important official position in the town, which he ably represented 
in six sessions of the Legislature, serving on several important committees. 
For nearly half a century he has honorably and conscientiously discharged the 
duties of a justice of the peace. In early life he became a member of the 
Rutland Baptist Church, which yet in his later years he regularly attends. 
On 01 July 1837 in Bridgewater [Plymouth County, Massachusetts] Mr. [Ezra] 
EDSON married Angelina, daughter of Zenas and Lydia (WHITMAN) WASHBURN. Four 
children are the fruit of this union: (1) Lucien, who died young; (2) 
Lucien Otis, who also died young; (3) Hannah Whitman, Mrs. Marquis E. 
TENNEY; and (4) Mary Jane, who died at a young age. His [Ezra EDSON's] wife 
[Angelina EDSON] died in 1882. His daughter, Mrs. TENNEY, her husband, and 
two granddaughters are living with him [Ezra], where he has lived for 
forty-two years.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly