A native of Vermont, William Herbert “Herb” Edwards came to Susanville in 1868 with his parents at the age of 13. As a young man, in 1886, he ventured out on his own to Los Angeles. While there he worked briefly for the Los Angeles Police Department. After that he opened a butcher shop. In1887 he contracted tuberculosis. Due to his poor health he returned to Susanville to recover. In 1888, he married a young Milford woman. by the name of Marion True.
The young couple made their home in Susanville, where he opened a butcher shop. In the summer of 1900 there was a strong movement to incorporate Susanville. In August five city trustees (known today as council members); a city clerk; a city treasurer and a town marshal were elected. Edwards was that marshal making him the town’s first law enforcement officer. It was a two-year term and he won re-election in 1902. He did not run again and in 1904, he carried on with his own private business activities, though at times he did stints as the town’s nightwatchman.
By 1911, the effects of tuberculosis had so damaged his lungs, that he became an invalid. He passed away in 1914 and is buried in the Susanville Cemetery.
What a good looking dude!