Edwards, David

David Edwards (1816-1876) was a United Brethren bishop and editor. He was born in Denbighshire, North Wales. His family moved to Ohio when he was five. When he was eighteen, Edwards experienced a religious conversion and became a member of the United Brethren Church. In 1836 he was ordained in the Scioto Conference. In 1845, he was elected editor of the Religious Telescope. He held that position for four years and refused reelection in 1849. Instead, the General Conference elected him bishop, a position he held for six successive terms. Edwards was instrumental in founding Otterbein University and in establishing the foreign mission work of the church.