Edward, a life-long Concordian, was the youngest child in the family. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1874 and established his practice in Concord. After his father’s death he left the practice of medicine and spent his time writing, editing his father’s papers and painting.

Edward was a founding member of the Concord Antiquarian Society (now the Concord Museum) and an active participant in town affairs. He married Annie Shepard Keyes, a Concord native. They had seven children, six of whom preceded their parents in death. A son, Raymond, survived his parents.