Edwards, E. E. (Elijah Evan), 1831-1915

Elijah Evan Edwards (1831-1915) was the first president of Colorado State University from 1879 through 1882. Journals from several years he spent as a student at Asbury University (now DePauw) comprise the bulk of the collection. His work at Colorado State University is represented by two journals and a few documents.

From the description of Papers of Elijah E. Edwards, 1846-1881. (Poudre River Public Library District). WorldCat record id: 233703202

Elijah Evan Edwards (1831-1915) was born in Delaware, Ohio, on January 26, 1831. His father was a Methodist minister and the family moved frequently during Edwards' youth. The Edwards family moved to Indiana in 1836, and Elijah Edwards enrolled at Asbury University (now DePauw) in 1844. He graduated with a B. A. degree in 1853.

After graduating from college, Edwards married Alice L. Eddy and he was employed as a teacher at several schools. He became a Methodist Episcopal Church minister by 1858, and later volunteered with the Seventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He was commissioned as a chaplain during the war. After the war, Edwards taught for a while and then worked as the assistant editor of the Central Christian Advocate for several years. In 1872, he was a professor of physics and natural history at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. In 1877, Asbury University bestowed an honorary doctorate on Edwards. He remained at McKendree College until 1879, when he accepted the offer to be the first president of Colorado State University.

Edwards traveled to Colorado several times before moving here; however, they were short visits. He served as president from 1879 through 1882. Edwards conducted morning chapel services, oversaw the handful of faculty members, and reported to the school's governing body. The board and Edwards had different visions for the school and after three years, Edwards resigned as president.

After resigning from Colorado State University, Edwards taught at several schools throughout the midwest. In 1888, he changed religious affiliations and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. He was ordained the following year. His wife Alice died in 1896, and three years later he married Ellen R. Tingley. Edwards' second marriage turned out to be a mistake and the two parted.

Edwards lived most of his life in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin; however, by 1913, Edwards was living in LaBelle, Florida, with his son Elmer and daughter-in-law Theresa. Edwards died on November 10, 1915, and was buried in nearby Fort Myers, Florida. Amateur historian James R. Miller discovered Edwards' unmarked grave in the 1960s and Colorado State University placed a marker on the site.

From the guide to the Papers of Elijah E. Edwards, 1846-1881, (Colorado State University Archives and Special Collections)

Elijah Edwards was a teacher, professor, or administrator in several schools, colleges, and universities; a clergyman in two protestant denominations; a writer, poet, speaker, and artist; and chaplain of the Seventh Minnesota Infantry Regiment, 1864-1865, serving in several southern states. Following is a skeletal chronology of his life:

• 1831: Born in Delaware, Ohio; family later moved to Indiana.
• 1853: Graduated from Indiana Asbury (DePauw University).
• 1853 - 1856 : Professor, Brookville (Indiana) College.
• 1856: Master of Arts, Indiana Asbury.
• 1856 - 1857 : Educational administrator in Indiana.
• 1857 - 1858 : Professor, Hamline University, Red Wing, Minnesota.
• 1860 - 1863 : Methodist minister, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
• 1864 - 1865 : Chaplain, 7th Minnesota Infantry.
• 1866 - 1871 : Assistant editor, Central Christian Advocate, St. Louis.
• 1871 - 1879 : Professor, McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois.
• 1879 - 1882 : First president, Colorado Agricultural College, Fort Collins (now Colorado State University).
• 1888 - 1905 : Episcopal minister.
• 1915: Died in LaBelle, Florida.

From the guide to the Elijah E. Edwards Civil War journals., 1864-1865, 1906, 1910., (Minnesota Historical Society)