Ed Edson Papers, 1900-1991 (bulk from 1915-1944)

Ed Edson was born in Hancock County Iowa on August 30, 1860. His father would move the family in 1870 to Kansas and set up as a farmer. After the death of his father in 1882, Ed set out for California. Things did not turn out great in California, so Ed made his way to Washington. Ed would arrive in Whatcom County (present day Bellingham) in 1883.

While in Whatcom, Ed had apprenticed as a pharmacist. Ed made his way to Lynden in 1888 and bought an existing drug store. Ed would operate the drug store for 55 years. Ed had married Mary Hamburg, the couple had two children: Gale and Agnes. The marriage had lasted 8 years, Mary left her children with Ed and moved back to Seattle. The divorce was finalized in 1902 and in 1920 Ed (60 years old) had married Lelah Jackson. Lelah was a school teacher and was known for her lectures about local history.

Ed had many hobbies and was an athletic person. Some of his hobbies included playing the tuba for the community band, singing in his church's choir, and various performances. Ed was a reader and writer, he would often send letters with reviews of the various books he read to his lifelong friend George Burr. Ed would write often to Burr and his daughter Agnes. Ed was known in Lynden as the town fix-it and do-all, Ed was known as the dentist in town before the first dentist came into town. Ed passed away on December 4, 1944 due to failing health. He had just finished his autobiography before he passed.