John Rufus Edie, Jr., was born around 1839 in Pennsylvania to John and Mary Edie. His father was a lawyer and Republican congressman who owned $3,500 of real estate and $1,500 of personal property by 1860. Edie grew up and attended school in Somerset, Pennsylvania, before enrolling at West Point in 1857.

 

Edie graduated in 1861, and he received a commission as a 2^nd lieutenant in the 2^nd United States Cavalry on June 24, 1861. He took part in the Battle of Bull Run. He was transferred to the 5^th United States Cavalry on August 3, 1861, and then to the 3^rd United States Light Artillery on October 23, 1861. He was promoted to 1^st lieutenant on March 3, 1863, and then to captain on August 1, 1864. He later served as chief of ordnance for the Army of the Potomac. He received a brevet promotion to major on March 13, 1865.

 

Edie remained in the army after the war. He married Julia McCauley shortly after the war, and they had at least two children: Julia, born around 1868; and John, born around 1870. They lived in Washington, D.C, and by 1870, Edie owned $1,500 of personal property. He died on October 29, 1874.

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