Sidney Edgerton

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Sidney Edgerton
U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 18th District
In office
March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863
Preceded byBenjamin F. Leiter
Succeeded byRufus P. Spalding
Personal details
Born(1818-08-17)August 17, 1818
Cazenovia, New York, US
DiedJuly 19, 1900(1900-07-19) (aged 81)
Akron, Ohio, US
Resting placeTallmadge Cemetery, Tallmadge, Ohio
Political partyFree Soil (1848–1856)
Republican (1856–1900)
SpouseMary Wright Edgerton
ChildrenMartha Edgerton Rolfe Plassmann
ProfessionPolitician, Lawyer, Judge, Teacher
Signature

Sidney Edgerton (August 17, 1818 – July 19, 1900) was an American politician, lawyer, judge and teacher from

Territorial Governor of Montana. During his term as Territorial Governor, he was an alleged member of the infamous Montana Vigilantes
, and was reputedly among its founders.

He was a sickly child that was not expected to survive; burial clothing was ordered for him. He survived and, eventually, moved to Ohio. He became a lawyer, and was involved in both the Free Soil Party and the Republican Party. After John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Edgerton was invited, by Brown's family, to settle Brown's affairs. He never was able to meet with Brown. He had a successful career as a politician, and after his term ended in the Territory of Montana, Edgerton returned to Ohio. He served as a lawyer in his home state until his death in 1900.

Early life

Edgerton was born in

Lima, New York, where his cousin taught, and where he would later become an instructor as well.[3][4]

Sidney Edgerton during the time of his political career.
Sidney Edgerton ca. 1860–1865

Early career

In 1844, he moved to

Agnostic. He married Mary Wright (1827–1885) of Tallmadge on May 18, 1848, but Mary almost ended the relationship, because of Edgerton's religious views.[8]

Political career

Edgerton was a delegate to the convention that formed the

probate judge, but he declined the nomination.[6] Edgerton was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1858.[11]

House of Representatives and John Brown

John Brown, before his death in December 1859.
John Brown in 1859

Edgerton began his House term in 1859.[6] As an abolitionist, he was at risk of attack; when his term began, he purchased a sword for his defense.[12] The sword was held, secretly, inside a walking cane.[8] As an ardent anti-slavery member of the House of Representatives, Edgerton made numerous speeches about its abolition. After John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Edgerton was asked by Brown's family to come and settle his affairs.[13] This was very dangerous, as Edgerton was anti-slavery. Edgerton went by train, and was joined by Congressman Alexander Boteler and Congressman H. G. Blake. While on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Boteler was told that the men did not need to go on. Boteler and Blake listened to the advice, but Edgerton refused to go back.[14]

On his arrival at

Harper's Ferry, General William Taliaferro.[8] Edgerton told Taliaferro about his request, but Taliaferro informed him that Governor Wise would only allow family and a minister to visit John Brown. That night, Taliaferro arranged for a wagon to take him back to Washington, D.C. Edgerton was given a driver and a guard, for his journey. During his ride back, a group of men on horses rode up, and Edgerton's guard jumped out of the wagon and ran. The men on horses retrieved the man, and brought him back to the wagon. Edgerton asked his guard why he ran, and the guard replied, "I heard them say that they would kill [you]".[15] The men on horses then attempted to get Edgerton to leave the wagon, but he refused. He eventually made it out of Virginia, but always believed had he left the wagon, the men would have killed him.[16] After this encounter, Edgerton viewed Southerners, generally, with contempt.[8] Edgerton continued to be a large voice in the anti-slavery movement, but decided not to run for reelection in 1862.[17][8]

American Civil War

During the Civil War, Edgerton served briefly as colonel in the Ohio Militia. Edgerton was one of the Squirrel Hunters, expert shots from Ohio, and served at the Defense of Cincinnati.[6][18] Edgerton served as both a U.S. Congressman and soldier at the same time, during the first few years of the war.[6]

Idaho Territory before Edgerton's lobbying to the United States Congress and President Abraham Lincoln.
Idaho Territory in 1863

Territory of Idaho

On March 6, 1863, Edgerton was nominated by President

Cleveland, Ohio, by train, they then traveled, by boat, across Lake Erie, continuing, by train, to St. Joseph, Missouri, they then travelled, by steamboat, to Omaha, Nebraska.[8] They then bought their provisions, and began their trip on ox-drawn wagons. The party was met by good weather, and no bad confrontations with Native Americans. The group stopped at Chimney Rock, to visit. They then started off again, on their trip. One incident that did happen was when Edgerton fell from one of the wagons, and was almost crushed by one of the wheels. The group arrived at South Pass, in August 1863. After arriving in South Pass City, Edgerton received a telegraph message saying that the capital of the Territory of Idaho had yet to be decided. On August 15, as the group was heading west, a man arrived with a telegraph message saying that the capital of the Territory of Idaho was to be at Lewiston.[8] The message was welcome news to the group, but knew that to get to Lewiston, before the snows, would be difficult. As the group descended the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, it was discovered that Mary Edgerton was pregnant. In September, the group arrived at the trail, beginning at the Blackfoot River. Edgerton realized, that it would not be possible to make it to Lewiston, before the snows. The group then changed its course for Bannack. The party crossed the Snake River, by ferry, on September 6. After crossing, they met Sheriff Henry Plummer. This would not be the last meeting between Edgerton and Plummer.[22] The group continued, and crossed Monida Pass. The group finally made it to Bannack, on September 16.[8]

After arriving in

Washington D.C.[26] His mission was to lobby for the split of the Territory of Idaho. Edgerton and Sanders then left in a stagecoach for Washington. Edgerton arrived with $2,500 in gold nuggets in his pockets[25] (about $34,000 in 2009).[21] He presented this to President Abraham Lincoln and numerous members of Congress. His lobbying paid off in 1864.[27] That year the Territory of Idaho split into three parts. The three parts included the Territory of Idaho, the Territory of Montana, and the Territory of Dakota.[6]

Idaho Territory, Montana Territory, and Dakota Territory after Edgerton's lobbying to the United States Congress and President Abraham Lincoln.
Idaho Territory, Montana Territory, and Dakota Territory, in 1864

Territory of Montana

Before leaving

Territorial Governor of Montana.[28]

Lincoln appointed Edgerton on June 22, 1864, and Edgerton found out on his arrival at

American Flag.[30] Edgerton put together a quick census, so that an election could be held. The elections would be for the State Council, State House, and for the Delegate of the Territory of Montana to the House of Representatives. After the elections of 1865, Democrats took power in the House, and took the Delegate seat in the House of Representatives. While the Republicans took the Council. Numerous engagements between the Governor and Democrats occurred, causing troubles for the Montana Legislature.[31] In all, though, the legislature worked with Edgerton to pass numerous bills on roads, public education, irrigation, and mining.[32]

In 1865, Edgerton began to have to deal with threats from Native Americans. General Patrick Connor was sent to handle these threats. He led an expedition against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, who were disrupting travelers along the Bozeman Trail.[33] Edgerton then issued a proclamation for five hundred volunteers to help defend immigrants. Numerous other battles were fought, and numerous treaties were signed between the Government of the Territory of Montana and the Native Americans.[33]

In 1865, Edgerton was forced to go East to secure funds for the territory.

acting Territorial Governor of Montana.[35] Despite remaining governor, until January 13, 1866, Edgerton did not return to Montana for 25 years.[36][31][37] To express their dislike for Edgerton, the state legislature changed the name of Edgerton County to Lewis and Clark County.[28]

Henry Plummer, Sheriff of Bannack, Montana, before his death.
Sheriff Henry Plummer, before his lynching

Montana Vigilantes

After numerous acts of lawlessness, and with no established court system, Edgerton supported his nephew, Wilbur F. Sanders, and other residents of Bannack and Virginia City as they organized the Vigilantes.[22] This group began meeting in secret, and began trying and lynching suspected criminals. On January 10, 1864, members of the Vigilance Committee traveled to Sheriff Henry Plummer's home. Plummer was suspected of murder, and the men coaxed him from his sickbed. They then grabbed him, and brought him to a gallows he had constructed for hangings. Then the men put a noose over his neck, and hanged him next to two of his deputies who were also accused of being road agents.[22][38] Along with the lynching of Plummer, the Montana Vigilantes hanged 22 road agents.[39] After these actions Edgerton's nephew, Wilbur F. Sanders, was forced to defend the group in Utah courts.[31]

Death

After returning to Akron, Ohio, with his family in the Fall of 1865, Edgerton went back to his law practice.[13][40] He was involved in his law practice until his death on July 19, 1900. He is buried in Tallmadge Cemetery in Tallmadge, Ohio.[6][28]

Notes

  1. ^ Between September 1865 and October 1866, Thomas F. Meagher served as Acting Governor.

Citations

  1. ^ a b Plassman 1900, p. 331.
  2. ^ a b Phillips 1951, p. 20.
  3. ^ a b c Plassman 1900, p. 332.
  4. ^ a b National Cyclopaedia 1901, p. 78.
  5. ^ Upton pp. 354–355
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Goodman p. 251
  7. ^ Taylor p. 216
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Allen pp. 123–134
  9. ^ Thompson p. 17
  10. ^ Smith p. 49–50
  11. ^ Lane 1892, p. 180.
  12. ^ Plassman 1900, p. 334.
  13. ^ a b Dimsdale p. 248
  14. ^ Plassman 1900, pp. 334–336.
  15. ^ Plassman 1900, p. 335.
  16. ^ Plassman 1900, pp. 335–336.
  17. ^ Plassman 1900, p. 336.
  18. ^ Eicher p. 223
  19. ^ United States Senate, pp. 264, 275
  20. ^ Knight p. 379
  21. ^ a b Inflation Calculator 2009
  22. ^ a b c Slatta p. 273
  23. ^ Bancroft p. 643
  24. ^ a b McPherson pp. 12–13
  25. ^ a b Holmes pp. 113–115
  26. ^ Malone p. 94
  27. ^ Chiorazzi p. 644
  28. ^ a b c d Goodspeed pp. 419–420
  29. ^ Allen pp. 290–291
  30. ^ Plassman 1900, p. 339.
  31. ^ a b c d e Gaitis p. 430
  32. ^ Malone pp. 99–100
  33. ^ a b Bancroft pp. 692–694
  34. ^ Thane 1976, pp. 160–161.
  35. ^ a b Merrill-Maker p. 163
  36. ^ Plassman 1900, p. 340.
  37. ^ The Encyclopedia Americana p. 390
  38. ^ Waldrep pp. 64–65
  39. ^ Morgan p. 321
  40. ^ Works p. 643

References

External links

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