Persis was born and raised in Mauston, WI. She was the daughter of Simeon Levi Wells and Adeline Phillips Richardson Wells. She was one of 6 children. Persis married Dr. William Edwards in Mauston in 1913 and they moved to Mason, Nevada, then Yerington, Nevada, then Portola, CA where her husband was a doctor for the railroads and miners in those towns. After WWII, they moved to San Rafael, California, where her husband practiced medicine for many years. Their only surviving child was Dr. William Edwards Jr. Father and son shared a medical office at 1010 B St. in San Rafael. Persis was active in gardening and social organizations in San Rafael and Marin County. They lived at Marina Court Dr. in San Rafael (findagrave.com)