Description:This is an abridged biography from The Handsworth Magazine. The full version is available as a download.
The junior member for Murdock Ward on the Handsworth Urban District Council, Mr John Edwards, was born at Purfleet, in the county of Essex in 1851 and is consequently 47 years of age. Educated at West Ham, Essex, he subsequently entered into the employment of one of those great firms of engineers and shipbuilders in the port of London who have gained a world-wide celebrity as the builders of some of the finest ironclads afloat, firms whose industry and skill have made our navy the wonder of the world and aroused a spirit of emulation in other countries.
The Warrior, the first ironclad ever built for Her Majesty's Government by a private firm, was only just out of hand when the subject of our sketch entered the workshop as an apprentice in the engineers pattern makers department. The Minotaur, Serapis, King Wilhelm, Waterwitch and a score of other leviathans were built for our own and foreign governments during young Edwards apprenticeship. After obtaining a varied experience in several large engineering establishments in the Metropolis, Edwards came to Birmingham and found employment at Cornwall Works (Tangyes Limited) where he still remains at the end of sixteen years unbroken service.
Upon his advent into Handsworth, twenty years since, he was drawn by the lode stone of his destiny to the meetings of rival candidates for election on the local Board. He played only a minor part in the contests of parties in those days but never since has he ceased to show a lively interest in matters of local concern.
In March 1896 Mr Edwards was nominated by the Conservative Association as a candidate for one of three seats for Murdock Ward, on the Handsworth District Council. He stood for the Council in conjunction with Mr E J Abbott and both were elected, the other successful candidate being Mr S Adkins, who headed the poll.
He is a member of the following committees:- Highways, Plans and Buildings, Park and Fire Brigade, General Purposes, Public Libraries and Technical School and sits also on the Public Lighting, Baths and Electric Light sub-committees.
Upon the resignation by Mr W Roberts of the presidency of the Plans and Buildings committee consequent upon his election to the chair of the Park and Fire Brigade committee, Mr Edwards was unanimously appointed in his place. The Plans and Buildings committee has assumed an importance of late years, owing to the rapid development of several great building estates.
At the first meeting of the Council following his election in 1896, Mr Edwards gave notice that a month later he should move that public baths be erected forthwith. The resolution, backed up as it was by popular feeling in the district, was received with considerable favour by a strong section of the Council, but evoked half-hearted opposition from the remainder who constituted the majority, with the result that up to the present time the authority have rested content with a simple acquiescence in the justice demand and promise to erect baths – when the finances of the district permit.
Mr Edwards is premier of the Handsworth Parliament a flourishing debating society of which we gave a description in our last issue. The honour sits easy upon him and was well deserved. He has been connected with the Handsworth Parliamentary Debating Society since its commencement at St James Schools and took an active part in restarting it, after a temporary lapse, at the Council House.
To give an account of his stewardship as a high functionary of the state (a Prime Minister surely merits an ornate description such as this) would require a separate and distinct article, but we may mention here that he was the author of a Bill to prevent Strikes and Lockouts. This somewhat drastic measure was carried through all right, but not without the assistance of the closure during its committee stages. A Bill dealing with the licensing question was introduced by him during his first premiership and met with the approbation of the House. It is generally admitted that he is a strong leader a fact upon which we compliment the Conservative party in the present Parliament.
Mr Edwards is married and has a devoted wife and family of four daughters.