USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 59
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The Catholic Church of Hicksville, situated on Edgerton street, was built during the summer of 1880, by Rev. Frederick Rupert, at a cost of $1, 200. Chief benefactors were A. P. Edgerton, who donated the lot on which the church stands; Mrs. Hicks Lord, of New York, who donated $500; Joseph Spire, $100; and Felix Huber, $50. Previous to the building of the church, services were held occasionally at the residence of Mr. John Stroband. Services are now held in the church once a month by Rev. A. E. Man- ning, of Antwerp. The congregation consists of about ten families.
SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
Hicksville Lodge, No. 478, F. & A. M., was granted a dispensation September 3, 1873, and char- tered October 1, following. The charter members were: E. B. Bracy, John L. Bevington, John A. Parker, Alexander Smith, John E. Hartle, John M. Ainsworth, John J. Shaw, Volney Crocker, Harrison Shaw, Isaac M. Boon, S. M. Boon, Luther Loveland, J. B. Relyea, Wallace Shaw and Daniel Wontworth. The first officers were: Volney Crocker, W. M .; E. B. Bracy, S. W .; Harrison Shaw, J. W .; Luther Loveland, Treas .; John N. Ainsworth, Sec .; John L. Bevington, S. D .; John A. Parker, J. D .; S. M. Boon, Tiler. For 1882, its officers were: J. L. Bevington, W. M. ; G. F. Knight, S. W .; S. J. Moore, J W .; S. M. Maxwell, Sec. ; H. Welson, Treas .; P. S. Pettitt, S. D .; A. H. Phillips, J. D .; S. Wright, Tiler.
Hicksville Lodge, No. 597, I. O. O. F. A char-
ter was granted to S. W. Wilson, C. S. Graham, L. C. Loveland, John Keener, Addison Kleckner, S. F. Kinsey, J. F. Speelman and J. R. Keener and their successors, legally and duly elected to constitute a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to be hailed by the title of Hicksville Lodge, No. 597, I. O. O. F., by order of the Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F., of the United States and the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, on the 16th day of May, A. D. 1874. Said charter was signed by A. C. Deu- el, M. W. G. M .; E. C. Bayce, R. W. D. G. M .; D. M. Suzarus, R. W. G. W .; W. C. Earl, R. W. G. Secy .; George W. Winchell, R. W. G. Treasurer. The above named Hicksville Lodge, No. 597, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 30, 1874, by A. C. Deuel, Most Worthy Grand Master of the State of Ohio. The lodge has continued to hold its meetings every Saturday night, with a few exceptions, since it was legally authorized to act as a lodge. It is now in a healthy and prosperous condition: has added largely to its membership and usefulness as a lodge. Names of officers January term, 1983: H. T. Kintigh, Noble Grand; A. S. Andrews, Vice Grand; T. C. Kinmont, Per. Sec .; G. F. Knight, Recording Sec .; A. J. Crowl, Treas.
G. A. R.
I. Donatin Post, No. 52, G. A. R., was organized April I, 1881, with the following charter members: J. O. Foot, I. E. Kintigh, Charles Hollinger, J. W. Blythe, W. J. Henry, W. D. Otis, J. H. Bevington, G. Brown, J. Blosser, C. R. Putnam, E. Dutter, L. Ferris, S. Fish, B. Wort, J. O. Rose, W. C. Powell, E. J. Riesh, D. M. Eveland, G. Flint, S. McColla, T. C. Kinmont, T. E. Gay, S. Moore, N. Smith, S. Deihl, and S. Robinson.
At the first election of officers the following were elected: J. O. Foot, Commander; S. E. Kintigh, S. V. C .; T. C. Kinmont, J. V. C .; E. E. Hale, Chap- lain; J. O. Rose, Adjt. ; S. Moore, Q. M .; W. J. Henry, O. D .; L. Ferris. O. G .; W. D. Otis, Surgeon; Gustin Flint, Post Inspector; James H. Bevington, Sergeant Major; George R. Brown, Q. M. Sergeant.
Comrade I. Donafin, after whom the Post is named, was a member of Company E, Twenty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, who enlisted from this place under the call for 300,000. Was taken pris- oner at the battle of Chickamauga, and endured the hardships and horrors of Andersonville and other prison pens. Was paroled therefrom to return to family and friends, but met his death by the blowing up of the ill-fated Sultana on the Mississippi.
Toward the close of 1881, an enterprise was set on foot to secure a soldiers' monument. The com- mittee appointed to secure funds secured liberal sub-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
scriptions and the specified amount was raised by April, 1882, and the monument erected, a white bronze statue of a soldier, standing at parado rest, being five feet eleven inches high. The statue stands on a firm foundation of the best dark Quincy granite. This pedestal is ton feet nine inchos high. The monument was unveiled July 4, 1882, in the presence of an estimated attendance of twelve to fifteen thou- sand people. W. D. Otis was President of the Day, and the address was delivered by Hon. A. P. Edgerton.
The Post has steadily grown in numbers and strength and at the beginning of the present year had a membership of sixty-eight.
Members of 1. Donafin. Post, No. 52, G. A. R., Hicksrille, Ohio.
William Aurand, Co. B, 21st O. V. I., e. August 26, 1861; disc. September 19, 1864.
Henry Amaden, Co. E, 21st O. V. V. I,, e. Aug- ust 29. 1861; disc. July 29, 1865.
James H. Abel, Co. F, 44th O. V. I., e. Septem- ber 23, 1861; disc. September 7, 186).
Thomas Armstrong, Co. A, 81st O. V. V. I., e. February 12, 1864; disc. July 28, 1865.
James Bevington, Co. C, 152d O. V. I., e. Feb- ruary 15, 1865; disc. August 30, 1865.
George R. Brown, Co. A, 38th O. V. I., o. Au- gust 26. 1861; disc. September 13, 1864.
John Blosser, Co. K, 101st O. V. I., e. August 12, 1863; disc. June 20, 1865.
J. W. Blythe, Co. G, 104th O. V. 1., e, August 16, 1862; disc. Juno 25, 1865.
William E Bassett, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. Au- gust 14, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
Barney Brown, Co. B, 66th O. V. I., e. June 9, 1863; disc. July 15, 1865.
William Boyer, Co. H, 88th I. V. I., e. August 7, 1862; disc. June 10, 1865.
Corp. Otis Blood, Co. F, 44th I. V. I., e. Septem- . ber 23, 1861; disc. November 23, 1864.
Harlow Burr. Co C, 3d O. V. C., e. November 18, 1861; disc. August 4, 1865.
Lewis Baird, Co. F, 44th I. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861; disc. November 29, 1864.
Joseph Barbower, Co. E, 21st O. V. I .. e. August 29, 1861; disc. July 25, 1865.
Thomas B. Bassert. Co. E, 86th O. V. I., e. June 17, 1863; disc. February 10, 1864.
Corp. Joseph T. Bushong, Co. (, 81st O. V. I., e. August 26, 1862; disc. July 13, 1865.
Christian Bishop, Co. C, 124th I. V. I., e. No- vember 23. 1864; disc. August 31, 1865.
F. M. Baker, Independent Company.
J. L. Bishop, Co. C, 17th O. V. I., e. November 2. 1863; disc. July 16, 1865.
Monroe E. Bristol, 5th O, Iud. Batt., e. Septem- ber 10, 1864; dise. June 22, 1865.
Peter Countryman, Co. F, 44th I V. I., e. Sep- tember 23, 3861: disc. November 23, 1864.
William H. Crow, Co. F. 111th O. V. I .. e. Au- gust 16, 1862; disc. July 5, 1865.
Capt. T. H. B. Correll, Co. C, 1st U. S. H. A., e. August 6, 1862; resigned.
George Clemmer, Co. D, 100th O. V. I., e. Au- gust 28, 1862; disc. March 5, 1865.
Ephraim Datter, Co. D, 100th O. V. I., o. Au- gust 14, 1862; disc. June 20, 1865.
Samuel Deihl, Co. B, 47th O. V. I., e. October 1, 1861; dise. June 1, 1805.
John Daub, Co. K, 200th Peun. V. I., e. August 30, 1864; disc. May 14, 1865.
Henry Danb, Co. K, 200th Penn. V. I., o. Au- gust 30, 1864; disc. May 30, 1865.
Amos Densmore, Co. F, 182d O. V. I .. e. Octo- ber 1, 1864; disc. July 7, 1865.
Ord. Sergt. George F. Delong, Co. F, 88th O. V. I., e. August 9, 1862; disc. June 15, 1865.
Walker Dean, Co. H. 99th O. V. I., e. August 9, 1862; dise. July 28, 1865.
Peter Eldridge, Co. G, 30th I. V. I., e. August 23, 1861; disc. July 19, 1865.
G. Flint, Co. F, 129th I. V. 1., e. February 8, 1864; disc. September 13, 1865.
Lewis Ferris, Co. F, 48th O. V. I., e. February 15, 1862; disc. October 17, 1863.
George Ferry, Co. E, 21st O. V. V. I., e. August 29, 1861; disc. August 29, 1865.
Ord. Sergt. N. T. Fuller, Co. F, 44th I. V. I., e. September 28, 1861; disc. October 23, 1864.
Nelson Fusselman, Co. F, 129th 1. V. I., e. Oc- tober 10, 1863; disc. June 18, 1865.
Thomas Galantine, Co. I, 74th Penn. V. I .. e. July 16, 1863; disc. August 29, 1865.
Charles Hollinger, Co. F, 55th O. V. I., o. Feb- ruary 24, 1864; disc. July 19, 1865.
Fifth Sergt. E. E. Hale, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. August 13, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
First Sergt. W. J. Henry, Co. E, 21st O. V. I., e. August 29, 1861; disc. July 25, 1865.
James Hughes, Co. H, 31st O. V. I .. e. September 10, 1861; disc. September 26, 1865.
H. C. Hootman, Co. F. 111th O. V. I., e. August 13, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
Jacob Hartzler, Co. A, Sth I. V. I., e. August 15, 1861; disc. September 8, 1864.
Abraham Henry, Co. H. 123d O. V. I., e. August 22, 1862; disc. June 12, 1865.
Corp. W. S. Headley, Co. F, 129th I. V. I., e. October 14, 1863; disc. September 13, 1865.
N. W. Hosack, Co. D, 100th O. V. I., e. August 5, 1862; disc. June 20, 1865.
Aaron Hopkins, Co. D. 100th O. V. I., e. August 19, 1862; disc. June 20, 1865.
Appleton Hopkins, Co. E, 21st O. V. I., e. Au- gust 29, 1861; disc. July 25, 1865.
S. H. Helmick, Co. F. 48th O. V. I .. e. Febru- ary 15, 1862; disc. December 2. 1864.
Elijah Imhoo', Co. H. 88th I. V. I , e. March 5, 1863; disc. June 10, 1865.
Warren Jump, 23d Ind. Batt., I. L. A., e. Septem- ber 14, 1862; disc. July 2, 1865.
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First Lieut. I. E Kintigh, Co. C, 111th O. V. I., e. August 12, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
Capt. T. C. Kinmont, Co. F, 44th I. V. I., e. Sep- tember 26, 1861; disc. February 14, 1863.
C. W. Kyle, Co. E, 21st O. V. I., e. September 12, 1861; disc. April 23, 1865.
Emanuel Kyle, Co. D, 88th O. V. I, e. August 18, 1862; disc. August 25, 1865.
Levi Kinterman, Co. I, 60th I. V. I., e. March 7, 1862: disc. March 20, 1863.
Sergt. John W. Meek, Co. D, 19th O. V. V. I., e. April 24, 1861; disc. October 24, 1865. >
Jonas Miller, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. August 12, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865
C. Mierly, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. August 14, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
Alexander McConkey, Co. E, 21st O. V. I., e. Au- gust 29, 1861; disc. July 29, 1865.
Sergt. John Nelson, Co. F, 129th I. V. I., e. No- vember 21, 1863; disc. August 29, 1865.
Benjamin F. Nelson, Co. F, 129th I. V. I., e. Jan- nary 1, 1864; disc. September 12, 1865.
Corp. W. D. Otis, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. Au- gust 13, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
G. K. Otis, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. August 15, 1862; disc. June 14, 1863.
W. E. Powell, Co. E, 21st O. V. I., e. August 29, 1861; disc. July 29, 1865.
C. R. Putnam, 23d N. Y. B., e. February 7, 1864; disc. June 28, 1865.
Dennis Pitts, Co. F, 48th O. V. V. I., e. October 21, 1861; disc. December 2, 1864.
Lieut. J. O. Rose, Co. E, 86th O.' V. I., e. May 4, 1861; disc. February 14, 1864.
Sergt. W. Renton, Co. G, 38th O. V. V. I., e. September 13, 1861; disc. December 26, 1863.
W. H. Richards, 5th O. Ind. Batt., e. September 11, 1861; disc. January 14, 1865.
William Roan, Co. F, 111th O. V. L., e. August 13, 1862; disc. June 27, 1865.
Eusebius Reyff, Co. K, 7th Maryland V. I., e. September 16, 1862; disc. April 1, 1865.
Nelson Smith, Co. D, 42d I. V. I., e. October 13, 1864; disc. July 21, 1865.
Edwin Smith, Co. C, 5th Ind O. Batt., e. Feb- ruary 2, 1864; disc. September 5, 1865.
Lieut George W Scott, Co. F, 68th O. V. V. I., e October 13, 1861; disc. July 20, 1865.
John B. Spindler, Co. G, 14th O. V. V. I., e. April 22, 1861; disc. August 13, 1861.
Sergt. Harry Sweet, Co. F, 111th O. V. I., e. Au- gust 13, 1862; disc. May 30, 1865.
Lewis Wentworth, Co. G, 14th O. V. V. I., e. February 4, 1864; disc. July 21, 1865.
Gardiner Works, Co. C, 152d I. V. I., e. Febru- ary 15, 1864; disc. August 30, 1865.
Surg. G. Wonsetler, 3d U. S. V., disc. May 8, 1866.
This list was prepared by G. Flint, Post In- spector.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Jonas Colby, of Defiance, and afterward Dr. Oney Rice, of Farmer Ceuter, were the first practition- ers in Hicksville and vicinity. The first resident physician in the village was William S. Goodale, now practicing in Illinois. He came about 1838, and re- mained only a short time. Dr. B. M. Rakestraw set- tled at Hicksville in October, 1846, its first promi- nent physician. He has been in practice here ever since. Dr. Cosgrove came next, about 1848. He remained only a short time and removed to Marys- ville, Ind. Dr. Stephen, of the eclectic school, came a year or two later, remained for about two years and removed to Leona, Iowa. Dr. Edward Gorgus was probably the next permanent doctor. He practiced here until his death. Quite a number of physicians have located here for a short time, then removing elsewhere. At present, nine are in practice, Drs. Rakestraw, Kinmont, Sabin, Otis and Richards, al- lopaths; Drs. Brookins and Phillips, homoeopaths, and Babbit and Wonsetler, eclectics.
ATTORNEYS.
Six attorneys are now engaged in practice at Hicksville-S. Summers, Hon. W. D. Hill, Thomp- son & Griffin, James E. Coulter and C. J. Ryan. Of these, Mr. Summers has been longest in practice here-since 1872.
PRESS.
The Hicksville Independent issued its first num- . ber September 10, 1874, with Francis Brooks as pro- prietor and J. W. Cummings, as publisher. It has been succeeded by the Hicksville News, of which M. V. Starr and L. G. Dowell are publishers and edit- ors. It is a weekly Democratic paper, newsy, and has an excellent circulation.
The Hicksville Republican was started by D. M. Eveland, February 5, 1880. After a brief existence its publication ceased.
BUSINESS.
A summary of the present business interests of Hicksville is as follows:
General stores-Ainsworth, Boone & Bevington, Maxwell Dilworth, I. A. Gingery, J. E. Coburn.
Grocery-William J. Kleckner, H. Bloomfield, W. G. Hamilton, Goodin & Cony.
Clothing-Lewis & Hirsh.
Furniture dealers-J. P. Blakeslie, S. Blodgett, Wilderson & Co.
Hardware-Miller Brothers & Co., W. O. Hughs & Co.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Drugs-Frank Dalrymple, B. S. Pettit.
Bakery -Hugh Nelson.
Jewelry -Charles Bassett, Andrew Patterson.
Harness-E. M. Bilderbach, Sollenberger Broth. ers.
Livery-Bouker & Hughs, Nichols & Bayes.
Saw mill - Britton & Callender.
Grist mill -Bruce, Scott & Figloy, T. W. Kerr & Co.
Wagon mannfactory -- Luther Crowl.
Photographer -H. Elliott.
Hicksville Manufacturing Company.
Building supplies-Fisher, Maxwell & Co.
Agricultural implements- John Hollinger, Mer- rill Otis, G. K. Otis.
Millinery-Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Eliza Murphy.
Kerr Brothers, manufacturers of turned handles, forks, etc.
George Knight, manufacturer of saw mill dogs. H. F. Randolph & Co., manufacturer of staves. Marble works --. B. Webber. Hicksville bank --- E. D. Otis.
PERSONAL REMINISCENSES.
Alfred P. Edgerton of Fort Wayne, Ind., was born in Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. Y., on the 11th of January, 1813, and is the eldest son of Bela Edgerton and Phebe Ketchum, who were married at Plattsburg, March 24, 1811. His father was born at Franklin, New London Co., Conn., September 28, 1787, and was descended from Richard Edgerton, one of the original proprietors of Norwich. Bela Edgerton was fitted for college in his native town by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Nott, brother of the late Presi- dent Nott, and graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1809. He was a classic teacher for sev- eral years after his graduation, in Vergennes, Vt., and in Plattsburg, N. Y. He volunteered at the lat- ter place in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of Plattsburg, September 11, 1864. After the war, he was admitted to the bar, having previously studied law and practiced his profession in Clinton County, N. Y., till 1839. He was a member of the Legislature of New York, in 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, at a period when it numbered among its members the ablest men in the State, most of whom obtained na- tional fame in after years. Among these Mr. Edger- ton was recognized as a peer of the best, and had much to do in shaping the legislation of the State. He moved to Ohio in 1839, and settled at Hicksville, where he was well known to all the people, and no man was more esteemed by old and young. He died at Fort Wayne, Ind .. September 10, 1874, aged eighty-seven years.
Mrs. Edgerton was born at Livingston's Manor,
Dutchess County, N. Y., March 27, 1790, and died at Hicksville, Ohio, August 24, 1844. She was a daughter of Joseph Ketchum, a merchant and man- ufacturer, who died in the city of New York in 1795.
Alfred l'. Edgerton, the subject of this sketch, was a graduate of the Academy at Plattsburg. He first appeared before the public as the editor of a newspaper, in 1833, and in the fall of that year removed to the city of New York, and engaged in commercial pursuits. In the spring of 1837, he came to Ohio, and assumed the management of the extensive landed interests of the "American Land Company," and of the Messrs. Hicks, their interest being known as the "Hicks Land Company." He laid out the town of Hicksville, built mills, and made extensive improvements in the interest of the parties he represented. In his land office in Hicksville, there was sold by him up to October 5, 1852, 140,000 acres of land-all to actual settlers. In 1852, Mr. Ed- gerton became the owner of the then unsold lands, amounting to 40,000 acres. A large part of these lands have since been disposed of to actual settlers. In all sales of land a liberal policy was pursued, and long credits given, and prompt payment never exacted when purchasers improved and continued in posses- sion of the property purchased. During all the time Mr. Edgerton resided in Hicksville, he was actively engaged in improving and developing the town and the country generally, and was, and is now, a liberal contributor to every matter of public interest and ben- efit. In 1845, he was elected to the State Senate of Ohio, from the territory which then embraced the present counties of Williams, Defiance, Paulding, Van Wert; Mercer, Auglaize, Allen, Putnam, Henry and part of Fulton. Up to this time, although ac- customed to express, on proper occasions. decided political convictions, he had not been active in cau- cus and conventions, and was only known to the peo- ple of the district as a sagacious and upright busi- ness man. The public questions of that period in- volved complicated matters relating to finance, the State banking system, metallic or paper money, the public debt, public credit and kindred issues, and re- garding these matters, the public mind was greatly stirred. The recognized leader of the Whig party of the State was Alfred Kelley, who had been identified with the public improvements and the financial policy of the State, in various official re- lations, since the origin of the public debt and the commencement of the canal system. Mr. Kel- ley was the Whig leader of the Senate, and he had developed his financial policy-had introduced bills to sanction it by legislation-had unmistakably beaten his antagonists and was master of the field.
.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Mr. Edgerton had been an attentive and patient ob- servor of passing events. but except voting when questions came up, had taken no part in the debates. When the conflict, however, was approaching a close, he unexpectedly appeared in the arena, and in clear and logical speeches, electrified the body by the ac. curate knowledge he evinced of the principles in- volved in the proposed legislation, and of all the de- tails regarding the finances of the State and of their management by his political opponents. The battle which was supposed by the Whigs to have been fought and won, it was ascertained had just com- menced, and Mr. Kelley soon found in Mr. Edgerton a foeman more worthy of his steel than he expected or ever hoped to encounter, while the Democrats from that time forward recognized Mr. Edgerton as their leader. It may be stated that while this debate between Mr. Kelley and Mr. Edgerton was one of the most noted in the State, that the re- spectful deference always shown by the latter to the former, who was the senior, won for Mr. Ed- gerton the respect of the entire Whig party of the State, and secured to him ever after the warm friendship and respect of Mr. Kelley, which he often exhibited in kind and valuable ways.
In 1850, after the close of a brilliant career in the State Senate, Mr. Edgerton was elected to the House of Representatives of the United States, from the district comprising the counties of Shelby, Mer- cer, Auglaize, Allen, Hardin, Putnam, Van Wert, Paulding. Defiance, Henry, Fulton and Lucas, and was again elected in 1852, the district being changed by dropping off Shelby. Mercer, Allen, Auglaize and Hardin, and adding Wood and Hancock. During his first term, he was second on the Committee of Claims, but in the next Congress was the Chairman. This was a very important committee, and involved much arduous labor, but his duties at the head of the com- mittee were performed with diligence and fidelity- He gave searching examinations to every claim in. trusted to his committee, and from his carefully pre- pared reports and logical conclusions, protecting alike the Federal Treasury, and extending even- handed justice to worthy claimants, no successful appeal was ever taken. This labor afforded him less time to engage in the current debates, yet, when occa- sion offered he would enter the field, and his opinions never failed to command the respect of the House.
In debate, ho was forcible, logical, pungent and refined, his speeches showing great research, and be- ing filled with information, discrimination and prac- tical good sense, and always having reference only to the business before the House.
In 1853, he was selected by the Board of Fund Commissioners of Ohio to represent the State as its
financial agent in the city of New York. This was the inauguration of a new policy by Ohio, of having its funds kept by its own agents and at all times in its own control. Mr. Edgerton succeeded the Ohio Life & Trust Company as the agent of the State, and his appointment met with much opposition from the friends of that institution. The failure of the company in 1857 was the best proof that the Demo- cratic policy for the New York agency was the best. It was in connection with this agency that Mr. Kel- ley's friendship and confidence in Mr. Edgerton was particularly manifested.
In 1856, he was Chairman of the Committee on Organization of the National Democratic Convention, held at Cincinnati. In 1859, he was appointed by the Legislature of Ohio to investigate the funds in the State Treasury. He made an elaborate report, which was accepted by the public as a full exposition of the frauds and their authors. In 1857, he removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., but retained his citizenship in Ohio until 1862.
In 1859, in conjunction with Hugh McCulloch, since Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and Henry Hoagland, he became the lessee of the Indiana Canal, from the Ohio State line to Terre Haute, and assumed the position of General Manager, and controlled the business until 1868.
In 1868, he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention as a candidate for Lieutenant Gov- ernor on the ticket with Thomas A. Hendricks as Gov- ernor, but was defeated by 961 votes.
In 1872, he was nominated for Governor by the O'Connor, or anti-Greeley " straight-out " Democrats, but declined in an able and dignified letter, which concluded by expressing the hope that all Democrats in the State would vote for Hendricks.
Mr. Hendricks was the only candidate on the Dem- ocratic State ticket who was elected. Mr. Ed- gerton has been called by his friends to fill many minor political positions, but he has persistently pre- ferred a business and not a political field of opera- tions. He was a Senatorial Delegate from Ohio to the Baltimore Convention, in 1848, and a Senatorial Delegate from Indiana to the Chicago Convention in 1864, but he has held no office of any kind of a po- litical nature since he was a member from Ohio of the Thirty-third Congress. He has, however, been an active and efficient member and President of the Board of School Trustees of the city of Fort Wayne for many years, his present term expiring in 1885, and he is now one of the Trustees of " Purdue Uni- versity, a State institution of La Fayette, Ind., his term expiring in August, 1884.
Whatever public position Mr. E. has occupied, he has filled with complete satisfaction to those who
VILLAGE RES. OF E. W. CROOK, HICKSVILLE, DEFIANCE CO., OHIO.
RESIDENCE OF FREDERICK HENNING, HICKSVILLE, TP. DEFIANCE CO. OHIO.
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
have conferred them upon him and with honor to himself. In private life he is an accomplished and genial gentleman, and he is one of the best and most successful of business men, and a prominent favorite and a respected citizen.
Mr. Edgerton continues to manage his landed and other interests at Hicksville, by keeping an office and his old homestead there open for business, and for the annual gathering of his own family and all friends who choose to visit him. He has contributed liberally to all the churches in the town, six in num- bor, and to each he has given $500 in cash, and the lot on which they stand, except the Christian Church, which bought their own lot and built their own church and asked and obtained only $100 from Mr. E .. and except also the Episcopal Church, which was finished complete throughout by Mr. E. only, and con- veyed by him to the Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio in trust.
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