FRANCIS MAIN EDWARDS, M.D.
Distinguished not only as a prominent physician and surgeon of 
Clinton county, but as a leading citizen of New Baden, Francis 
Main Edwards, M. D., is eminently worthy of representation in a 
work of this character. He was born May 14, 1876, in Sandoval, 
Illinois, a son of Dr. S. G. H. Edwards. S. G. H. Edwards, a 
native of Mount Vernon, Illinois, where his birth occurred 
December 23, 1850, spent his earlier years in Jefferson county, 
and during a large part of the Civil war traveled with his parents, 
during the later years of the conflict accompanying his maternal 
grandfather, Col. S. G. Hicks, on his trips. In 1872 he was graduated 
from McKendree College, in Lebanon, Illinois, with the degree of A. M., 
and in 1875 received the degree of M. D. at Cincinnati Medical College, 
in Ohio. Immediately locating in Sandoval, Illinois, he was there 
successfully engaged in the practice of medicine until his death, 
in 1887, while yet in manhood's prime. He was a Democrat in his political 
affiliations, and held various town offices. Fraternally he was a member 
of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons and of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. He married, in 1875, Tilda Main, who is still 
living in Sandoval, Illinois, and to them four children were born, as 
follows: Francis Main, the special subject of this brief biographical 
sketch; Lydia, wife of P. E. Lewis; Ralph; and Elizabeth, wife of 
Charles Hall. Having completed the course of study in the public schools 
of Sandoval, Francis Main Edwards spent a year in Valparaiso College, in 
Valparaiso, Indiana, and in 1898 was graduated from the Saint Louis College 
of Physicians and Surgeons with the degree of M. D. Coming then to New Baden, 
Clinton county, Dr. Edwards met with such encouraging success from the 
start that he has continued here since, having now a large and lucrative 
patronage in this vicinity, his professional skill and ability being widely 
recognized and appreciated. He is a member of the American Medical Association; 
of the Clinton County Medical Society; and of the Southern Railway Surgeons 
Association. Politically the Doctor is a stanch adherent of the Republican 
party, and has served two terms as president of the Village Board. During 
the Spanish-American war he was a member of Pittinger's Provisional Regiment, 
being mustered in as first lieutenant of his company, but subsequently 
resigning the position to enter the medical department. Fraternally Dr. 
Edwards is a member of the Knights of Pythias; and is prominent in the 
Modern Woodmen of America, having been instrumental in organizing the 
New Baden camp of that order.
In 1899 Dr. Edwards was united in marriage with Mary Griesbaum, of New Baden, 
and they are the parents of four children, namely: Estelle, Elizabeth, 
Irene and Francis, Jr.


Source: History of Southern Illinois George Washington Smith, 
M. A. VOLUME I - III ILLUSTRATED 
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1912
Page 1104

Submitted by Robert W. Loman