The son of James K. Edsall, Illinois Attorney General, and Caroline Florella More, Edsall graduated from Racine College, and after admission to the bar in 1882, initially followed his father's career, practicing law in Chicago.

He attended Western Theological Seminary, was ordained deacon on December 23, 1888, and priest on June 2, 1889, by Bishop William Edward McLaren.

He served as rector of St. Peter's church in Chicago for a decade.

The 1898 General Convention chose Edsall as the Missionary Bishop of North Dakota and he was consecrated in Chicago on January 25, 1899.

[4] He served 16 years, dying in office and succeeded by his suffragan, Frank McElwain.