William Edwards (1831–1898)

William ("Col. Billy") Edwards (Springfield, Massachusetts, June 6, 1831 – September 21, 1898) was an American businessman in Cleveland, Ohio and horseman.

After a year he went into partnership in a jobbing grocery business that eventually became William Edwards & Company until his death.

"[1] During the American Civil War he was a strong Union supporter, and was given the honorary title of "colonel" for his activities in organizing military units.

Edwards was active in civic and political affairs in Cleveland, and was one of the commissioners of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in 1893.

He was "an active member of the Board of Review of the National Trotting Association," and a steward of the Grand Circuit races.