John Edwards

John Edwards (October 24, 1815 – April 8, 1894) was an American Civil War brigadier general in the Union Army, an American politician and a U.S. Representative from Arkansas. He served in Congress for less than a year before being removed from office following allegations of fraud in his 1870 election. Edwards also served in both houses of the Indiana General Assembly and was a member and speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives.

Early life and education Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Edwards received a limited schooling there before moving to Indiana, reportedly because it was a non-slavery state. He had inherited slaves from his father's estate in Kentucky but freed them and gave them property with which to begin a new life in Indiana.

Early career Edwards served in the Indiana House of Representatives for one term in the mid-1840s before moving to California, where in 1849 he was elected an alcalde, a municipal magistrate.

Civil War When the Civil War began Edwards joined the Union Army and was appointed as lieutenant colonel May 21, 1861 and served as aide on the staff of Governor Samuel Kirkwood of Iowa protecting the Missouri border from invasion. On August 8, 1862, he was commissioned colonel of the 18th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving through the war, after which he was brevetted brigadier general of volunteers to date from September 26, 1864. He saw action in several military engagements in Missouri and Arkansas.

Later career and death After leaving Congress, Edwards opened a private law practice in Washington, D.C.