Edward became involved in the family iron business about 1830, at the age of 20, when he was sent to Europe to study and learn the latest iron technology, such as the heating of blast for iron furnaces.
Edward became one of the most prominent citizens of Burlington, a member of the Episcopal Church, a trustee of Burlington College (Burlington, 1864-1877), a member of the Philadelphia Club, the Union League, and the Athenaeum of Philadelphia.