![]() ![]() In addition to developing large business interests and building a sizable fortune, Edwards immersed himself in the study of natural history. The towboat, used to transport coal from Cannelton to Cincinnati, was capable of handling 12 barges, each one carrying 10,000 bushels of coal. After the Civil War, Edwards had a steam towboat built in Wheeling at a cost of $30,000. A very early pioneer in the southern West Virginia coalfields, he opened the first coal mines on Paint Creek in 1852, erected the first cannel coal oil works in 1856, and opened mines at Coalburg in 1863. He graduated from Williams College in 1842 and was admitted to the New York bar in 1847.Įdwards came to the Kanawha Valley to inspect lands his family had purchased sight-unseen from promoters. ![]() E-WV | William Henry Edwards | Back to e-WV The West Virginia Encyclopediaīusinessman and entomologist William Henry Edwards (March 15, 1822-April 4, 1909) was born in Greene County, New York. ![]()
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