Charles Douglas Edwards established the C. D. Edwards Manufacturing Co. in 1878. A blacksmith's metal shear was their first product. Over the years they developed diverse product lines in road building machinery, hand tools, and blacksmithing equipment.

In 1928 Edwards was acquired by Ryan Manufacturing Corp. of Chicago.

Information Sources

• 1898-03-30 Freeborn County Standard. "C. D. Edwards is receiving scores of orders every week for his famous Climax and Boss stump pulling machines, and also for his iron shears, and they come from all parts of the United Slates. He filled a good order last week for shears that are to be taken to Alaska."
• 1912 Implement Blue Book lists "MINNESOTA. / ALBERT LEA. / C. D. EDWARDS. Etablished 1880. Capital $20,000.—Open Ditching Machines, Preparatory Tiling Ditchers, House Moving Capstans, Road Graders, Stump Pullers, Iron Cutting Shears."
• October 1922 American Blacksmith. "Another new advertiser appearing in our columns this month is the C. D. Edwards Manufacturing Co., of Albert Lea, Minnesota. They are advertising the Edwards Shear which they say has been on the market since 1878 and has stood the test of long usage. This shear is made in two sizes and is advertised as being ideal for the blacksmith and repair shop. You can secure one from your heavy hardware dealer. If you want to know more about Edwards Shear write direct to the C. D. Edwards Manufacturing Co., at Albert Lea, Minnesota. Or tell the Subscribers Service Department to put you in touch with the Edwards Company."
• From a 1925 issue of The Iron Age. "The C. D. Edwards Mfg. Co., Albert Lea, Minn., manufacturer of road machinery, has tentative plans for a one- story addition, 75 x 200 ft., to cost $55,000 with equipment."