Morgantown Utility Board proudly celebrates the life of John Edwards. We do so in recognition of Edwards establishing Morgantown’s first water service as well as for the resolve and endurance demonstrated in overcoming incalculable odds.

Born into slavery in Danville, Virginia in 1839, the son of slaves Daner and Sofa Edwards, John Edwards traveled to Beverly, West Virginia with the Union Army upon gaining freedom. From there he continued through Fairmont, making his way to Morgantown.

Finding there being a need for clean water, Edwards began Morgantown’s first water service. Using a cart pulled by a mule, he delivered barrels of water from the Monongahela River for 10 cents and from Deckers Creek for 15 cents.

Edwards married Sarah Elizabeth Evans, a resident in nearby Preston County, in 1865. The marriage registration shows that he was 25 and she 17. In 1877 they purchased a piece of land on White Avenue and constructed a home at 79 White Avenue (now 477 White Avenue). There, the couple raised five sons and three daughters.

Edwards continued his water hauling business until 1889 when Morgantown constructed a water works system. John Edwards passed away in 1904. Sarah Edwards died in 1926. They are buried in Mount Union Cemetery on Point Marion Road.

Given the closure of the water hauling business, and using the same wagon and mules, their son James began the city’s first garbage hauling service. James continued operating this service until 1933 when the city took over garbage hauling.

In May of 2024, MUB held a special commemorative event to recognize John Edwards. The ceremony, attended by local dignitaries and descendants of John and Sarah Edwards, was held at Morgantown’s water treatment plant. At the event, MUB unveiled displays that were permanently installed at the Flegal Dam and Reservoir and along the rail trail near the water treatment plant. A Dominion Post article on the event can be found by clicking here.

A great deal of gratitude is owed to the below individuals for helping assemble this information and the additional resources included below:

  • Adelheid Schaupp for providing historical guidance
  • Barbara Parsons for her overall guidance and support
  • Charlene Marshall, a relative of the Edwards family who provided historical and personal context for the commemorative ceremony
  • Barbara Howe whose pamphlet on Bringing Clear Water to Morgantown inspired the MUB event and provided a wealth of historical information
  • The West Virginia & Regional History Center

Additional Resources: