Historic tour features Edwards house

The Edwards house, located at 1735 Salem Road, is one of three houses and the Richwoods Chapel to be highlighted on the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission Tour Sunday, June 12.

Located about 2.5 miles east of Salem, or directly west of the Salem Stub on the north side of county road J20, the stone house was constructed in the 1860s by Joseph A. Edwards.

Edwards, a farmer from New York, came with his family to Iowa in 1841 and purchased 80 acres of land for $137.50. He built the two-story Italianate-design house from stone reportedly quarried from the creek along the north edge of the property.

The refined façade has narrower courses of cut limestone with cut faces made unlike any known house in this area. Two courses of façade stone are the same size as one course on the other three sides where the stone is more roughly cut, and obviously thicker in height.

The Edwards family included Joseph, wife, Caroline, and two children. Five more children were born between 1841 and 1850. Caroline died in December of 1850. Joseph later married Lydia Frazier. In December 1861, sons William, John and Samuel all enlisted and served together in the Civil War. Only John returned home.

The farm increased in value and more acres were added. Soon, they had 120 improved acres and 60 acres of timber. In addition to the stone house, property included farm implements and $1,400 worth of livestock. Grain harvested included corn, wheat and oats. The 1870 agricultural census gave a total value of $10,000 including house, real estate, livestock and implements.

The next census shows the family had moved to Ellis County, Kan. Then in 1897, the family returned to New York. The Edwards? family had 12 living children out of 18 born. Once again, Joseph Edwards moved westward. He died in Florence, Colo., on April 13, 1903.

Those who take the opportunity to view the house will see that it had matching windows flanking a center front door, which has sidelights and a transom. The second story also has a door in the front center and windows on each side. There is no porch, although one may have been planned.

The second story may likely have been a sleeping loft, and had not been finished until the current owners purchased the property in 2008. Jeff Cleere is the new owner. Now the stairway is opened, bannister installed and oak flooring laid. Doors and woodwork was salvaged from the Hoaglin house (circa 1883) on the west side of Hillsboro, to use in this unique house. There are now two bedrooms, a master suite and a bathroom.

The fourth and final article will feature the Queen Anne-style Garretson home, southeast of Salem. It has the distinction of being in the Garretson family since it was constructed in 1890-91. It is also the home of East Grove Winery, specializing in wine and mead from elderberries, the bush native to this area.

Directions to all four locations will be included in the next article. All four locations are on the National Register.