Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 870. JESSE EDWARDS the recognized founder of Newberg, Oregon, was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, February 18, 1849, and is a son of John and Abigail Edwards, pioneers of Indiana, coming from Guilford County, North Carolina. Jesse Edwards with his family came to Oregon in 1880. He was married to Mary E. Kemp, a daughter of Jeremiah and Amy R. Kemp of Park County, Indiana, in 1870. They were the parents of four children: Clarence J., the oldest, who is the promoter and manager of the Yamhill Electric Light & Power Company; Walter F., a dealer in bonds and real estate of Portland; Oren K., who is general manager and treasurer of the Pacific Face Brick Company and Maybelle E. York, the only daughter, wife of M.M. York, sales manager of the Pacific Face Brick Company, of Portland. In 1881 Mr. Edwards purchased the land upon which the city of Newberg is now located, the first plat of the town being recorded in 1883. Mr. Edwards, believing the moral factor to be a fundamental asset in the building up of a city, was careful to guard its moral as well as its material development, by plating a clause in the dedicatory articles of the city to the effect that each deed prohibit the use and sale of all intoxicating drinks as a beverage. He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of education, giving not only his hearty support to the building up of a splendid system of public schools, but was one of the organizers of the Pacific Academy, in 1885, which was incorporated as a college a few years later. He has been one of its strongest financial supporters as well as serving as president of the board of managers for a number of years. He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Newberg, and its president for ten years, it now being the United States National Bank, one of the solid banking institutions of the county. There are few men in the state who have done more in promoting and fostering manufacturing industries and all legitimate enterprises for the development of the northwest. Perhaps the most extensive was that of the Newberg Pressed Brick & Terra Cotta Company, which he organized in 1892, now well known throughout the northwest as the Pacific Face Brick Company, with its head office in Portland. He has been its president and financial head since its organization. After extensive prospecting for clays throughout the Willamette valley, which would make a suitable facing for modern fire-proof structures, impervious to moisture, which is so necessary to this climate, they purchased land having the desired qualities in clay and shale deposits, building a railroad connecting with the Southern Pacific at Sheridan. At this location they erected and equipped the most modern and complete clay-working plant of the Pacific coast. Their product not only supplies the Portland and Oregon market but is shipped in large quantities to Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. Mr. Edwards is a man known throughout the state for his active interests in various organizations for moral, civic and political betterment. His clean moral life coupled with his successful business career is an inspiration and encouragement to young men. This biography was transcribed and contributed by Sarah Olsen Head Researcher Frazier Farmstead Museum http://www.museum.bmi.net/