Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1897 — HON. A. P. EDGERTON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HON. A. P. EDGERTON.

HIS SUDDEN DEATH AT HICKSVILLE, OHIO. Distinguished in all that Stakes Men Great, this Citizen* this Statesman was Called to Uis Ling Home—Brief ft istorjr of Uis Eventful Life. A Great Stan Gone. Hon. Alfrel P. Edgerlon, formerly of Fort Wayne, Ind., ex-Congressman and formerly a member of the National Civil Service Commission, to which he was appointed by President Cleveland in his first term, died at his residence in Hicksville, Ohio. He underwent a surgical operation some lime ago, but had apparently recovered. His death was not expected. The Hon. Alfred P. E Igerton, a notable citizen of Fort Wayne, who has been prominent in the political history of Indiana and Ohio, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. Y., January 11, 1813, the eldest son of Bela and Phoebe (Ketchum) Edgerton, who were married

at Plattsburg March 24, 1811. Mr. Edgerlon, after graduating from the Plattsburg academy, removed to Ohio in the spring of 1887. In 1815 he was elected to the Ohio State Senate from a large territory which embraced nearly ten of the present northwestern counties. He immediately took an active part on the side of the Democratic minority, and showed himself a master of the important financial questions which were ihe subject of discussion in the Senate by the ablest men of the State. Becoming prominent by a debate with the Whig leader, he was mentiohed as a candidate for the Governorship of tlie Slate, and he was alluded to by a leading Democratic journal as “an able and talented statesman, while faithfully adhering to sound Democratic principles, his unimpeaehed private character, high sense of honor and sterling integrity as a gentleman, have commanded the respect of the most bitter opponents.’' So even and consistent has been the long career of Mr. Edgerton that this early expression regarding him, may still le truthfully qno'ed as an estiinato of his character. In 1850, after a brilliant career in the State Senate, ho was elected to the United States House of Representatives, and re-elected in 1852. He W'as second cn the important Committee of Claims during his first term and Chairman of that committee on his second term. On Die floor his arguments commanded the respectful attentiou of his associales. From 1833 to 185(1 he held the important position of Financial Agent of Hie State of Ohio at New Tork. In 1830 he was chairman of t e cominiltee on organization of the Democratic National Convention held at Cincinnati, and subsequently lie was one of a committee selected by the Legislature of the sta'e of Ohio to investigate the frauds upon the State Treasury, in 1857 Mr. Edgerton removed to Fort Wayne, but retained his citizenship in Ohio until 1852. He became lessee of the Indiana cjnal, associated with Hugh MeCullodi and Pliny lloaglaiid, in 1850, and held the position of general manager of the divisio.i from the State l.no to Terre Haute until 1868. In January, 1868, he was nominated by the Indiana Democratic State Convention for Lieutenant Thomas A. Hendricks being at the head of the State ticket, which was defeated, it will be remembered, by 861 votes. Other political positions lie filled prior to the 'alter date were thoso of delegate to the Baltimore convention of 1848 and the Chicago convention of 1864, but sinca 1868 he has not taken an active part in politic--. In 1872 tie was tendered the nominal.on for Governor of Indiana by the O’Connor Democrats, 1 uc declared to endorse that movement. Ho was for many years a member of the School Board of Fort Wayne, and resigned that position to accept the appointment of Civil Service Commissioner tendered him by President Cleveland, This office lie held until 18:8 The latter position, like all others, was filled by him In a manner saiisfaclory io liis party, and his constituents, with whom lie has always been popular. In private life Mr. Edgerton was an accomplished ami gontleroan, and was ueld in high esteem by the whole people.

ALFRED P. EDGERTON.