A brief timeline of the Edwards family’s 120-year legacy in the financial services industry
Relying on Values to Build Values for Generations. Benjamin F. Tad Edwards the Fourth knows firsthand what it takes to lead a brokerage firm. He is the sixth generation of the family to be involved in the business. In fact, he learned from his father, Benjamin F. Edwards the Third, as Ben ran AG Edwards, a national full service firm, for more than 40 years. A brief timeline of the Edwards family's 120-year legacy in the financial services industry. Eighteen Sixty Five. On April Eighth, President Abraham Lincoln appoints Abert Gallatin Edwards, great-great grandfather of Benjamin F. Tad Edwards the Fourth, to assistant secretary of the Treasury for the Sub-Treasury Bank in St. Louis. Eighteen Eighty Seven. Albert Gallatin Edwards and his son, Benjamin Franklin Edwards the First, open AG Edwards and Son, in St. Louis. The brokerage is the only one in St. Louis that works with local banks to place trades on the New York Stock Exchange. Eighteen Ninety. The company changes its name to AG Edwards and Sons after Albert Gallatin Edward's second son, George Lane Edwards, joins the firm. Eighteen Ninety One. George Lane Edwards becomes managing partner of AG Edwards and Sons. Eighteen Ninety Eight. AG Edwards and Sons purchases a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. Nineteen Nineteen. George Lane Edwards steps down from management. Another brother, Albert Ninian Edwards, takes over. Nineteen Twenty Five. Presley Edwards, son of Benjamin F Edwards the First, joins the firm. Nineteen Twenty Nine. Presley Edwards is named managing partner and navigates the firm through the Great Depression and World War Two. Nineteen Fifty Six. Benjamin F Edwards the Third, Presley's son, joins the firm after serving in the Navy. Nineteen Sixty Six. Named managing partner, Benjamin F Edwards the Third assumes leadership of the firm. Nineteen Sixty Seven. Benjamin F Edwards the Third is named president of the firm when it incorporates. Nineteen Seventy One. AG Edwards issues stock and goes public. Nineteen Seventy Seven. Benjamin F Tad Edwards the Fourth, son of Benjamin F Edwards the Third, joins AG Edwards. Two Thousand One. Benjamin F Edwards the Third steps down from leadership of AG Edwards. Two Thousand Seven. AG Edwards is acquired by Wachovia Securities. Two Thousand Eight. Benjamin F Tad Edwards the Fourth leaves Wachovia Securities and establishes Benjamin F Edwards and Co. in St. Louis.