William James Edmondson1

b. 7 May 1867
FatherJohn W. Edmondson1,2,3,4 b. 12 Jan 1833, d. 7 Jun 1914
MotherMartha Ann Hawthorne4,1,2 b. 22 Feb 1844, d. 12 Jan 1917
Birth7 May 1867 William James Edmondson was born on 7 May 1867 on the family farm 2 miles south of Meadowview in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Education  He earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from Emory and Henry College.5 
Occupation  William was first employed as the principal of the Glade Spring Military Academy but in the early 1890s he assumed the same leadership position at Liberty Hall School. He was elected county school superintendant in 1900; a position he held for many years.6,5 
Marriage30 Jun 1898 He married Polly T. Preston, daughter of John Preston and Elizabeth Gray, on 30 Jun 1898 in Washington County.4 
  William's second cousin Andrew Edmondson was married to Polly's sister Carrie. 
Cens-190023 Jun 1900 Following their marriage William and Polly made their home with Polly's widowed father, John Preston in the Holston district of the county. In 1900 William listed his occupation as "school teacher."7 
Cens-191019 Apr 1910 Ten years later they were again enumerated in the Holston district. Polly's father was not present [he was enumerated with Polly's younger brother Robert], however William and Polly had added a son named William to the family. Two other children had been born to them since 1900 but had not survived. This year William's occupation was listed as school superintendant.8 
Cens-19205 Feb 1920  The 1920 census listed William as a farmer. He and Polly owned their farm but it was mortgaged. The family had grown by the inclusion of a second son, born about 1913 and named Samuel.9 
  In addition to his responsibilities as a school administrator and farmer, William held a 4th interest in the Edmondson Electric Company. He was also a stockholder in the Bank of Glade Spring and the Mountain Trust Bank of Roanoke.5 
  William attended Friendship Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He was also a past master of Liberty Hall Masonic Lodge.5 

Family

Polly T. Preston b. 1870 or 1871
Children
ChartsDescendants of John Edmondson and Martha Moore
Last Edited25 Jan 2010

Citations

  1. [S1914] History of Virginia - Virginia Biography, Vol. 6: 631.
  2. [S1346] Oliver N. Edmondson, Henry Horne Edmondson Genealogy, p. 26.
  3. [S163] John Edmondson household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, p. 34B, dwelling 295, family 298. Feb. 2008, image 34 of 54. Household includes: John Edmondson, 47, farmer; Martha, 36, wife; William, 13, son; Liddy, 12, dau; Matilda, 9, dau; Samuel, 7, son; David, son, b. May 1880; all b. VA.
  4. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 32. William J. Edmonson, sgl, s/o Jno W. & Martha Edmondson, teacher AND Polly T. Preston, 28, d/o John & Elizabeth Preston; 30 Jun 1898.
  5. [S1914] History of Virginia - Virginia Biography, Vol. 6: 632.
  6. [S23] "Liberty Hall School" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, 42. Source for article cited as Washington County News, 16 April 1981, Big Farewell Party For Famed Old School - Washington Co. News, 10 Nov. 1965.
  7. [S634] John Preston household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 114, sheet 15B, dwelling 273, family 275, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 30 of 34. Household includes: John Preston, 65, wd, b. Sept 1834, farmer; Robert R., son, 21, b. June 1879; William J. Edmondson, sl, 33, b. May 1867, teacher; Polly T. dau, 28, b. May 1872; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  8. [S237] William J. Edmunson household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 121, sheet 2B, dwelling 37, family 37, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 4 of 29. Household includes: William J. Edmunson, 42, marr #1, marr 12 yrs, superintendant of public school, owns home, is farm, no mortgage; Polly, wife, 39, marr #1, marr 12 yrs, mother of 3 children, 1 living; John _, 10, son; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S238] William J. Edmondson household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 156, sheet 15B, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 29 of 29. Household includes: William J. Edmondson, 50, owns farm, is mortgaged, farmer; Polly, wife, 49; John, son, 20; Samuel R., son, 7; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 207; stone reported to read: James William Edmondson, s/o W.J. & P. Edmondson, 19 Dec. 1906-13 Jul 1907.