MR. WILLIAM EDWARDS

William Edwards was born November 29, 1869, in FerFer, Scotland. He Graduated from public school in Edinburgh and then attended FerFer Academy in FerFershire. He came to America in 1885, going to Iowa, to work on a farm for only a few months before moving to Chicago, to work for Carson, Pirie, & Scott. He became secretary to Mr. Sam Pirie. Through his life, Mr. Edwards was a devout Christian. He was the son of religious Scotch parents and connected with the Presbyterian Church. In Chicago, he was a member and clerk of Dwight L. Moody’s famous Chicago Avenue Church. Later, he was assistant superintendent of the Sunday School, and served as deacon and Usher.

In 1897, Mr. Edwards returned to FerFer, Scotland and married a schoolmate of FerFer Academy, Isobel T. (Stuart)/Stewart. They returned to Chicago, U.S.A. Their first son, James Stewart was born March 8, 1898. Wee Willie was born in 1900, and died in 1906. David Stewart was born in 1904, and one daughter, Margaret Jean, was born in Zellwood, in 1911.

Mr. Edwards rise in the Carson, Pirie, Scott Company was rapid, and it appeared that he would become a dominant figure in the Organization, whose founders contributed much toward building of the mid west metropolis. But by a quirk of fortune, evolved by the Florida freeze of 1894 ’95 Mr. Edwards was not to be destined to remain in Chicago. Shortly before the freeze Mr. Pirie had established the Errol Estate at Plymouth, Florida and made an initial planting of 120 acres of orange grove, to which more acreage was subsequently added. Mr. Pirie selected Mr. Edwards to proceed to Florida for supervision of his interests. Mr. Pirie died in 1913, but the Pirie family, kept “Cap’t Billy Edwards”, as he was affectionately known, in charge of the property through the years, which position he held at the time of his death. He was also manager of the well known Laughlin Estate, moving to Plymouth to Zellwood, to live on the Laughlin Estate, where he resided at the time of his death.

When the Florida Citrus Exchange was organized in 1909, Mr. Edwards became a charter member of the Plymouth Association, and affiliate of the exchange. He was one of the three Plymouth charter members who retained continuous membership through the following 25 years cooperative history. Mr. Edwards succeeded Mr. Pirie on the board of directors of the Plymouth Association in 1913 and the following year was selected president of the association, a position he held until his death.

The Exchange honors Mr. Edwards: The success which Plymouth achieved under his executive leadership and guidance brought him into such prominence in the exchange circles that in 1931 he was elected president of the Presidents association of the Florida Citrus Exchange. His work in achieving excellent functioning of the new organization and the confidence that the growers all over Florida had in him, led him in 1932 to his election as president of the Florida Citrus Exchange.

Mr. Edwards work as president was materially responsible for the re-organization that effected annual savings to the growers members of approximately $250,000.00 and brought about improved functioning of the organization itself and between exchanges and its affiliates.

His last activities as a citrus leader was directed toward building a cooperative fertilizer plant for Plymouth association laying plans for service to other grower members., and backing up the U.S. Dept of Agriculture and the Florida Citrus Control committee in their efforts to place Florida interests on a more profitable and efficient marketing basis.

Mr. Edwards was an outstanding and recognized leader in the Florida Citrus interests. He was president of the Plymouth Citrus Growers Exchange.

MR. WILLIAM EDWARDS

Mr. Edwards occupied a prominent position in business and social circles over Central Florida. He was particularly known in Orlando where he was a member of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce for many years and served 10 years as President. He also was a member of the Orlando Rotary Club in which he was exceedingly popular. He was elected President of the North Orange Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Edwards organized and was president of the State Bank of Apopka 1923 to 1934.

Mr. Edwards was Past Master of the Masonic Orange County Lodge #36.

Mr. Edwards started the Apopka Athletic Association and basketball club. Edwards Field is Apopka is named after him.

Mr. Edwards was President of the Hardware Supply Company in Apopka.

Mr. Edwards was President of the Rotary Club of Apopka from 1928 to 1929.

Mr. Edwards organized the Mt. Plymouth properties and helped build a hotel there.

Mr. Edwards built the Edwards Hotel in Apopka, later known as the Palms, and now known as the First federal Savings and Loan.

Mr. Edwards was director of the Orange County Building and Loan.

Mr. Edwards was a Charter member of the Orange County Pioneers Society.

Mr. Edwards was a member of the Orange General Hospital Board in Orlando.

On January 30, 1930 an Honorary Dinner was given for William Edwards at the Apopka Rotary Club and many notables around the state were there. Among those who sent there regrets were-- Ruth Bryant Owen of Washington, D.C.-- Hon. John W. Martin of Jacksonville, Fla-- Rev Holmes Logan of Miami-- N.P. Yowell of Chicago, Ill-- Hon. Edna G. Fuller of Orlando-- W.M. Igon of Tallehassee-- Capt.B. M. Robertson of Orlando, Fla.—H.C. Dann of Orlando—Richard Whitney of New York—Dr. Howard A. Kelley of Baltimore, Md.—Col. J.S. Sellers of Jacksonville, Fla.—Senator Duncan U. Fletcher of Washington, D.C.—Hamilton Holt president of Rolling College in Winter Park, Fla.—Hon. Earnest Ames of Tallehassee, Fla.—Hon. C. Fred Ward of Winter Park, Fla.—Senator F.O. King of Orlando, Fla.

Mr. William Edwards died July 4, 1934, at the age of 65. Funeral Services were held at his home “Olenwald” on the Laughlin estates in Zellwood, Fla. Burial in Apopka cemetery.

My appreciation and thanks

To Carl Jackson of Apopka

And Estelle King of

Zellwood, in supplying

Information about Mr.

Edwards activities.

Ruth G. Edwards.

(re-typed by John E. Hoyt, 2003)