| Notes |
- Bio of Dr. Edwards, excerpted from Aunt Effie Potter's genealogy (written 1958):
Isaac Lowe Edwards, M. D., b. 11-26-1845 on the Isaac Lowe farm on Lime Ridge, Columbia County, Penna., & spent most of his life in this county. He was a man about 5 ft., 10 in., tall, of medium weight, very erect, had unusual physical endurance, fine looking, graceful carriage, always well groomed, very affable, well read, and an intelligent leader in his community as well as having been highly respected for professional ability. (He wore mustache and Van Dyke beard). He had a good command of the English language and was a forceful public speaker. He was always in the forefront of the battle for righteousness. To the liquor evil he gave no quarter, fighting it at every opportunity through local organizations & the County Courts with a determination that would not recognize defeat.
Dr. Edwards was educated in the public schools of Briar Creek and Salem Townships. At 17 years of age, he attended the Orangeville Academy 1 term, teaching part of the time. He taught 2 terms in the city schools of Wilkes Barre, Penna., where he served as assistant to the superintendent and the two effected the first classification and grading of this city’s schools. Just previous to teaching in Wilkes Barre he taught one term at Beach Grove, Salem Twp., one term at The Hill School in the same twp., and one term at Espy, Col. Co., Pa. Through all his life he was a keen student of the Bible. He graduated the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa., in 1868. That same year he began the study of medicine under Dr. P. M. Senderling of Berwick, Pa., & later entered Jefferson Medical College, Phila. Pa., from which he graduated 1870.
Dr. Edwards began the practice of medicine in Orangeville, Col. Co., Penna. & practiced in partnership with Dr. Chapin until after Mar. 11 1873 when he married and brought his bride to Benton. Some time later they moved to Berwick where Dr. Edwards practiced 2 years, but returned to Benton in the spring of 1875 where his son, Myrom, was born May 9, 1875, and a partnership was formed with Dr. I. E. Patterson, his brother-in-law, who had been in partnership for one year with Dr. Chapin who now moved to Michigan. The partnership of Dr. Edwards and Dr. Patterson lasted four years. Then each practiced separately in Benton. Dr. Patterson until his death Jan. 16, 1929. Dr. Edwards continued practicing in Benton about 43 years except the period of 2 years in Berwick. He was compelled to retire on account of the loss of his eyesight through an attack of glaucoma. Dr. Fox, an eye specialist of Phila., diagnosed the eye trouble & operated successfully May, 1914, but too late to save most of the sight already destroyed.
Married 3-11-1873 the beautiful Sarah Lavina Patterson, b. 4-18-1846; daughter of Wm. & Charity Anne (Kline) Patterson. “Sallie,” b. in Orange Twp., Columbia County, Penna. . . . They [had] attended Orangeville Academy at the same time, 1863-1865.
The 1st Benton Women’s Christian Temperance Union, organized 3-23-1890, elected Mrs. I. L. Edwards president, Mrs. J. B. Laubach (mother of Dr. Frank Laubach), vice-president. The first regular meeting was held in the Edwards home, and Dr. Edwards became an honorary member.
Throughout their married life, Dr. and Mrs. Edwards entertained innumerable out of town Christian workers in their home.
Surveying was an avocation of Dr. Edwards. After the big fire at Patterson Grove in 1892 he was engaged, in 1893, to make a survey of the grounds preparatory to rebuilding. For this service he declined to accept any compensation. Later he was given a lot on which he erected a cottage 1894. Each Campmeeting thereafter he and some of his family attended as long as he lived. His daughter, Effie Edwards Potter, now owns the cottage.
In 1877 Dr. Edwards purchased 50 acres of timber land one mile north of Benton, Pa. On this land was a house and only a small clearing. After a few years this land was entirely cleared, farm buildings erected, a large adjoining field, purchased from Wm. Mendenhall, was added and all was cultivated by a tenant farmer. The spring of 1899 his son, Myrom with his wife & daughter, Vida, moved to this farm and purchased it in 1912. Myrom sold this farm in 1944.
[After his wife's death,] Dr. Edwards then made his home with his children and enjoyed good health, except for the loss of his sight, until his death due to infirmities of age at the home of his son in Benton Twp., Col. Co., Pa., 6-12-1934. Both Dr. and Mrs. Edwards are buried in the Benton cemetery. Both of their sons are also buried there. [1]
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1845 - 1934 (88 years)
[1] 
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