Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Edwards received a limited schooling there before moving to Indiana, reportedly because it was a non-slavery state.

He married Eliza Jane Knight on July 8, 1834, in, Lawrence, Indiana, and they had seven children: Eugene Edgar, John, Marcus, Mary W., Susan Huldah, William T., and Montgomery Gray.

[6][4] 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.

[3] After the war Edwards settled at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was appointed by President Johnson as Assessor of Internal Revenue and served from August 15, 1866, to May 31, 1869.

[3] In the initial results of the Third District's 1870 election, Boles led by approximately 3,000 votes; however, Edwards was nevertheless declared the winner by governor Powell Clayton.

Boles claimed fraud and refused to accept the results, initiating a House inquiry that eventually ruled in favor of Bowles.