Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

EDWARDS FAMILY

Margaret McLaughlin was born on 19 June 1856 in Howick, Huron East, Ontario to Charles McLaughin (1825-1907) & Mary Jane Nesbitt (1830-1903). Margaret married William Asel Edwards (1854-1936) on 23 October 1878 in Fordwich, Huron, Ontario. They had five daughters, Alice Levinia (1879-1963), Melecia Sarah Thankful (Melissa) (1889-1962), Martha “Pearl” (1891-1947), Margaret Vera (Maggie) (1893-1971) & Lena Irene (1898-1962) and six sons, Charles Francis (1881-1944), Chester (1883-1932), Elmer Theodore (1884-1904), William Asel Jr (1886-1960), Stephen “ Earl” (1896-1978) and Alfred Fleming (1902-1909).

William & Margaret lived in Howick for thirty-five years before moving to Saskatoon. During this time William was a painter and then carriage and wagon maker.

William Jr married E Henrietta Margaret (Etta) McGill on 29 October 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Etta was born on 25 June 1885 in Huron, Ontario to Robert McGill (1841-1918) & Esther (1846-1912?). Etta’s parents came from Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1867. They settled to farming in Howick. Etta had one brother, William Albert (b 1871) & one sister, Emma Jane (Emmy) (1874-1915).

William & Etta had two children, William “Arnold” (1916-2005) and Alma Irene (1920-2005). They lived ‘over the shop’ at 426 10th St E until William retired. They then moved to 616 13th St. Etta died on 16 November 1955 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon. William died aged 73 on 12 April 1960 and is buried alongside his wife.

Arnold was born on 4 April 1916 in Saskatoon. He married Evelyn Grace Harris (1923-1976) on 12 September 1945 and they had three children, Bill, Brenda & David. Evelyn was born on 18 September 1923 to Carl Lisgar Harris (1896-1956) & Eunice Pearl Sothern (1894-1983). Evelyn trained as a nurse at Saskatoon City Hospital and became a trustee of the Hospital from 1961-1974. Evelyn was also a city councillor from 1967-1871. See ‘A Seat on the Council’ in References.

Arnold studied and worked as an architect before joining his father’s funeral business. The family tradition continues with Bill, Brenda and David on the board of directors and Bill’s son Morgan becoming General Manager. See Star-Phoenix 30 Sep 2013.

Evelyn died on 17 September 1976 and Arnold died on 5 December 2005. They are both buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

Melecia Sarah Thankful (Melissa) was born on 27 February 1889 to William Asel Edwards & Margaret McLaughlin (see above). Melissa married Frank Wesley Addison probably in the 1930s. He was born on 22 January 1892 in Oxford, Ontario to James Thomas Addison (b 1858) & Mary Black/Trimmer. In 1935, the couple headed for British Columbia and established a plant nursery in the Fraser Valley. Melissa died on 10 October 1962 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Frank died on the same date, ten years later also in Abbotsford.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Edwards 1 Tree.

The first motor vehicle for Funeral Service in Saskatchewan was introduced by William A Edwards in Saskatoon in 1913

With the move to Saskatoon William & William Jr opened the city’s first funeral home and the Edwards descendants have provided undertaking services continuously since that time.

William Sr & Margaret lived at 309 9th St in Saskatoon until William retired and they moved to Rosthern, Prince Albert. William died on 12 March 1936 and was buried at Fordwich, Huron County, Ontario. Margaret died in Saskatoon on 25 December 1938 and was buried alongside her husband at Fordwich.