Three Edwards sisters came to Bemidji in 1912 from Watertown. They opened a millinery shop and were respected seamstresses for decades. Agnes, Fayal, and Real lived long lives at 1101 Beltrami Avenue.
Misses Real and Fayal Edwards, of Watertown, arrived in Bemidji in 1912 and opened new millinery parlors in the Goodman building at 310 Beltrami avenue under the firm name of “Edwards Sisters.”
“These young women come here highly recommended as competent milliners and because Bemidji ha s been highly recommended to them as a good live business city. They expect to be opened with a complete new line of millinery about March 15. Their stock has already been shipped and the store is now being prepared for the proper display of their merchandise. The sisters expect their parents here next week, who with two other sisters will make their home in Bemidji. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Edwards and daughters, Agnes, Basha, Real and Fayal.” (Bemidji Daily Pioneer, Mar 1, 1912)
After the death of their father, 1101 Beltrami Avenue became the home of the Edwards sisters, Agnes, Real, and Fayal, all early Bemidji business women making their living as milliners. They owned a hat shop in 1930. In 1940, they were all living in the house with their mother Jennie and working at home as seamstresses. How many dresses do you suppose they tailored during World War II, and sewed when the conflict was over and women were eager to dress up with real nylon hose and new fabrics? The Edwards sisters likely knew many of Bemidji’s society women. Agnes and Real were still living in the home in 1966 when Agnes died. Fayal died on July 16, 1970, and the house became vacant.