Sidney Edgerton (August 17, 1818 – July 19, 1900) was an American politician, lawyer, judge and teacher from
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
. He served during the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by state ...
, as a
Squirrel Hunter. During this time, Edgerton served as a
U.S. Congressman
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
. In 1863,
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...
appointed him the first
Chief justice of the
Idaho Territorial Court. Edgerton lobbied for the creation of separate territories, out of the
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territory ...
, and in 1864,
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...
appointed Edgerton as the first
Territorial Governor of Montana
The governor of Montana is the head of government of MontanaMontana Constitution, Article VI, Section 4. and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto ...
. During his term as Territorial Governor, he was an alleged member of the infamous
Montana Vigilantes
The history of vigilante justice and the Montana Vigilantes began in 1863 in what was at the time a remote part of eastern Idaho Territory. Vigilante activities continued, although somewhat sporadically, through the Montana Territory, Montana Terr ...
, 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
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
. He became a lawyer, and was involved in both the
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived coalition political party in the United States active from 1848 to 1854, when it merged into the Republican Party. The party was largely focused on the single issue of opposing the expansion of slavery i ...
and the
Republican Party
Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party.
Republican Party may also refer to:
Africa
*Republican Party (Liberia)
* Republican Part ...
. After
John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Secon ...
, 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
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
. He served as a lawyer in his home state until his death in 1900.
Early life
Edgerton was born in
Cazenovia, New York, on August 17, 1818. His parents were Amos and Zerviah (Graham) Edgerton, both of Connecticut. Zerviah was a cousin of millionaire philanthropist
Anson Greene Phelps
Anson Green Phelps (March 24, 1781 – May 18, 1858) was an American entrepreneur and business man from Connecticut. Beginning with a saddlery business, he founded Phelps, Dodge & Co. in 1833 as an export-import business with his sons-in-law as p ...
. As a child, Edgerton was so sickly and frail that burial clothes were prepared for him. Whereas the young Edgerton avoided death, the same could not be said for his father, a teacher by trade who had been blind for years. Amos Edgerton died when Sidney was still an infant. Left with six children to raise, Zerviah Edgerton struggled to maintain her family. By age eight, young Sidney was out of the home and working himself through school. He eventually attended the
Genesee Wesleyan Seminary The Genesee Wesleyan Seminary was the name of two institutions located on the same site in Lima, New York.
The Genesee Wesleyan Seminary (I) was founded in 1831 by the Genesee Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The plan for it ...
in
Lima, New York, where his cousin taught, and where he would later become an instructor as well.
Early career
In 1844, he moved to
Ohio
Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...
and began working in the law office of
Rufus P. Spalding.
[Upton pp. 354–355] Edgerton also taught in an academy in
Tallmadge, Ohio
Tallmadge ( ) is a city in Summit and Portage counties in Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Akron and part of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 17,537 at the 2010 census. Tallmadge was founded in 1807 and is the sec ...
, the same year. He studied law and graduated from the
Cincinnati Law School
The University of Cincinnati College of Law was founded in 1833 as the Cincinnati Law School. It is the fourth oldest continuously running law school in the United States — after Harvard, the University of Virginia, and Yale — and the first in ...
in 1845.
[ The next year Edgerton was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in ]Akron, Ohio
Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 Census, the city ...
.[Taylor p. 216] During this time, Edgerton declared himself an Agnostic
Agnosticism is the view or belief that the existence of God, of the divine or the supernatural is unknown or unknowable. (page 56 in 1967 edition) Another definition provided is the view that "human reason is incapable of providing sufficie ...
. He married Mary Wright (1827–1885) of Tallmadge on May 18, 1848, but Mary almost ended the relationship, because of Edgerton's religious views.[
]
Political career
Edgerton was a delegate to the convention that formed the Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived coalition political party in the United States active from 1848 to 1854, when it merged into the Republican Party. The party was largely focused on the single issue of opposing the expansion of slavery i ...
, in 1848.[Thompson p. 17] He then served as prosecuting attorney
A prosecutor is a legal representative of the prosecution in states with either the common law adversarial system or the civil law inquisitorial system. The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial ...
of Summit County, Ohio
Summit County is an urban county in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 540,428, making it the fourth-most populous county in Ohio. Its county seat and largest city is Akron. The county was formed on March 3, 184 ...
, from 1852 to 1856.[Goodman p. 251] Later in 1856, Edgerton was a delegate to the first Republican National Convention.[Smith p. 49–50] That same year, he was nominated for probate judge
A probate court (sometimes called a surrogate court) is a court that has competence in a jurisdiction to deal with matters of probate and the administration of estates. In some jurisdictions, such courts may be referred to as Orphans' Courts o ...
, but he declined the nomination.[ Edgerton was elected as a Republican to the ]United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together the ...
in 1858.
House of Representatives and John Brown
Edgerton began his House term in 1859.[ As an ]abolitionist
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
The British ...
, he was at risk of attack; when his term began, he purchased a sword for his defense. The sword was held, secretly, inside a walking cane.[Allen pp. 123–134] As an ardent anti-slavery member of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
, Edgerton made numerous speeches about its abolition. After John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Secon ...
, Edgerton was asked by Brown's family to come and settle his affairs.[Dimsdale p. 248] 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
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the first common carrier railroad and the oldest railroad in the United States, with its first section opening in 1830. Merchants from Baltimore, which had benefited to some extent from the construction of ...
, 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.
On his arrival at Charles Town, Edgerton found the commander of Harper's Ferry
Harpers Ferry is a historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia. It is located in the lower Shenandoah Valley. The population was 285 at the 2020 census. Situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, where the U.S. stat ...
, General William Taliaferro.[ 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 ou. 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. After this encounter, Edgerton viewed Southerners, generally, with contempt.][ Edgerton continued to be a large voice in the anti-slavery movement, but decided not to run for reelection in 1862.][
]
American Civil War
During the Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polic ...
, Edgerton served briefly as colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...
in the Ohio Militia. Edgerton was one of the '' Squirrel Hunters'', expert shots from Ohio, and served at the Defense of Cincinnati.[Eicher p. 223] Edgerton served as both a U.S. Congressman
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
and soldier at the same time, during the first few years of the war.[
]
Territory of Idaho
In 1863, Edgerton was appointed, by President Abraham Lincoln, to be the Chief Justice of the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
. His salary was to be $2,500 a year[Knight p. 379] (about $34,000 in 2009).[ He left with his wife, his children, his niece, Lucia Darling, his nephew, Wilbur F. Sanders, Sanders' wife, Sanders' children, a family friend, Henry Tilden, and a young woman named Almarette Greer.][ Edgerton's group first travelled to Cleveland, Ohio, by train, they then traveled, by boat, across ]Lake Erie
Lake Erie ( "eerie") is the fourth largest lake by surface area of the five Great Lakes in North America and the eleventh-largest globally. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes and therefore also has t ...
, continuing, by train, to St. Joseph, Missouri, they then travelled, by steamboat, to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County, Nebraska, Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. List of ...
.[ 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
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
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
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
was to be at Lewiston.[ 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
The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in ...
, 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
The Snake River is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest region in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, in turn, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean. The Snak ...
, by ferry, on September 6. After crossing, they met Sheriff Henry Plummer. This would not be the last meeting between Edgerton and Plummer.[ The group continued, and crossed ]Monida Pass
Monida Pass is a high mountain pass in the northern Rocky Mountains of the western United States, at an elevation of above sea level on Interstate 15, and on the Union Pacific Railroad.
On the Continental Divide in the Bitterroot Range ...
. The group finally made it to Bannack, on September 16.[
After arriving in Bannack, Idaho Territory, Edgerton reported to Territorial Governor William Wallace.][Bancroft p. 643] Edgerton requested the designation of courts and districts, but no court was designated for his district. Wallace appointed Edgerton to one of the farthest and most remote places away from the capitol. When he arrived there was no administrator to administer the oath of office. He never took the oath of office and therefore he never legally took his position as Chief Justice.[McPherson pp. 12–13] The Edgerton's then bought a home at a Sheriff's sale for $400. The one room home became the first Montana Governor's Residence
The Former Montana Executive Mansion, also known as the Original Governor's Mansion, is the official residence of the Governor of Montana. It is located in Helena, Montana, the capital. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places i ...
.[ After arriving in his district, he began taking tours of the territory ]gold fields
Gold Fields Limited (formerly The Gold Fields of South Africa) is one of the world's largest gold mining firms. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company is listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the New York ...
and gold camps. Edgerton realized the value of the gold fields, to the Union.[Holmes pp. 113–115] He was then chosen, by the local population, to go to Washington D.C.[Malone p. 94] His mission was to lobby for the split of the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
. Edgerton and Sanders then left in a stagecoach for Washington. Edgerton arrived with $2,500 in gold nugget
:''"Gold nugget" may also refer to the catfish Baryancistrus xanthellus or the mango cultivar Gold Nugget.''
A gold nugget is a naturally occurring piece of native gold. Watercourses often concentrate nuggets and finer gold in placers. Nuggets ...
s in his pockets (about $34,000 in 2009).[Inflation Calculator 2009] He presented this to President Abraham Lincoln and numerous members of Congress. His lobbying paid off in 1864.[Chiorazzi p. 644] That year the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
split into three parts. The three parts included the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
, the Territory of Montana, and the Territory of Dakota.[
]
Territory of Montana
Before leaving Washington, D.C. for the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
, Edgerton had a private meeting with President Abraham Lincoln, in which he asked for the position of Territorial Governor of Montana
The governor of Montana is the head of government of MontanaMontana Constitution, Article VI, Section 4. and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto ...
. Lincoln told Edgerton that he would think about it. Edgerton then left for the west, unsure of whether or not he would have a new position when he arrived, but on May 23, 1864, while on his way home, Mary Edgerton had a baby girl. She named her Idaho, unknowing of the fact that it was now the Territory of Montana. After seeing his skills in the Territory of Idaho
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as Idaho.
History
1860s
The territor ...
, President Abraham Lincoln appointed Edgerton as the first Territorial Governor of Montana
The governor of Montana is the head of government of MontanaMontana Constitution, Article VI, Section 4. and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, the power to either approve or veto ...
.[
Lincoln appointed Edgerton on June 22, 1864, and Edgerton found out on his arrival at Bannack. Bannack was created the capital of ]Montana Territory
The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 26, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted as the 41st state in the Union as the state of Montana.
Original boundaries
...
, and the Edgertons were able to keep their same home.[Allen pp. 290–291] Edgerton was not supported by many settlers and miners in the Territory
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal.
In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or a ...
, as the majority were from border states and either supported the Confederacy or were Democrats who abhorred radical Republicans like him. There were even death threats for those who flew an American Flag
The national flag of the United States of America, often referred to as the ''American flag'' or the ''U.S. flag'', consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the c ...
. Edgerton put together a quick census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
, 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
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
took the Council. Numerous engagements between the Governor and Democrats occurred, causing troubles for the Montana Legislature
The Montana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Montana. It is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives and the 50-member Montana Senate.
The Montana Constitution dictates that the legislature me ...
.[ In all, though, the legislature worked with Edgerton to pass numerous bills on roads, public education, irrigation, and mining.][Malone pp. 99–100]
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
The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota language, Dakota: Help:IPA, /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations peoples in North America. The ...
and Cheyenne
The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian languages, Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized tribe, federally recognize ...
Indians, who were disrupting travelers along the Bozeman Trail
The Bozeman Trail was an overland route in the western United States, connecting the gold rush territory of southern Montana to the Oregon Trail in eastern Wyoming. Its most important period was from 1863–68. Despite the fact that the major p ...
.[ 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.][Bancroft pp. 692–694]
In 1865, Edgerton was forced to go East to secure funds for the territory.[ The revenues being received were not enough to pay for expenses, and Edgerton himself gave large sums of his own money to the territory. He hoped to both get funds for the state, and receive compensation for his expenditures. He would receive neither.][Gaitis p. 430] Edgerton left the Territory, in September 1865.[ During this time, Edgerton was in Washington, D.C.][Merrill-Maker p. 163] While he was away, Thomas Francis Meagher
Thomas Francis Meagher (; 3 August 18231 July 1867) was an Irish nationalist and leader of the Young Irelanders in the Rebellion of 1848. After being convicted of sedition, he was first sentenced to death, but received transportation for life ...
served as the acting Territorial Governor of Montana.[ Despite remaining governor, until January 13, 1866, Edgerton did not return to ]Montana
Montana () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West List of regions of the United States#Census Bureau-designated regions and divisions, division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North ...
for 25 years.[The Encyclopedia Americana p. 390] To express their dislike for Edgerton, the state legislature changed the name of Edgerton County to Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of Montana. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 70,973. Its county seat is Helena, Montana, Helena, the state capital. The nume ...
.[Goodspeed pp. 419–420]
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
Vigilantism () is the act of preventing, investigating and punishing perceived offenses and crimes without legal authority.
A vigilante (from Spanish, Italian and Portuguese “vigilante”, which means "sentinel" or "watcher") is a person who ...
.[ 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.][Slatta p. 273][Waldrep pp. 64–65] Along with the lynching of Plummer, the Montana Vigilantes hanged 22 road agents.[Morgan p. 321] After these actions Edgerton's nephew, Wilbur F. Sanders, was forced to defend the group in Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to its ...
courts.[
]
Death
After returning to Akron, Ohio, with his family in the Fall of 1865, Edgerton went back to his law practice.[Works p. 643] He was involved in his law practice until his death on July 19, 1900. He is buried in Tallmadge Cemetery in Tallmadge, Ohio.[
]
Notes
Citations
References
* Allen, Frederick
'' A decent, orderly lynching: the Montana vigilantes''
University of Oklahoma Press, 2004,
* Bancroft, Hubert Howe, Victor, Frances Fuller
''History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana: 1845–1889''
History Co., 1890
* Chiorazzi, Michael, Most, Marguerite
''Prestatehood Legal Materials: A Fifty-State Research Guide, Including New York City and the District of Columbia, Volumes 1 & 2''
Routledge, 2006,
* Dimsdale, Thomas Josiah, Noyes, Alva Josiah
''The vigilantes of Montana: or, Popular justice in the Rocky mountains; being a correct and impartial narrative of the chase, trial, capture, and execution of Henry Plummer's road agent band, together with accounts of the lives and crimes of many of the robbers and desperadoes, the whole being ...''
State publishing co., 1915
* Eicher, John H., Eicher David J.
''Civil War high commands''
Stanford University Press, 2001,
* Gaitis, James M.
''A Stout Cord and a Good Drop: A Novel of the Founding of Montana''
Globe Pequot, 2006,
* Goodman, Rebecca, Brunsman, Barrett J.
''This Day in Ohio History''
Emmis Books, 2004,
* Goodspeed, Weston Arthur
''Volume 6 of The Province and the States: A History of the Province of Louisiana Under France and Spain, and of the Territories and States of the United States Formed Therefrom''
The Weston historical association, 1904
* Holmes, Krys, Walter, Dave, Dailey, Susan C.
''Montana: Stories of the Land''
Montana Historical Society, 2008,
* Idaho Supreme Court, Cummins, John
''Cases argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the territory of Idaho: January term, 1866, and January and August terms, 1867''
Statesman Pub. Co., 1867
''Inflation Calculator 2009''
* Knight, William Henry
''Bancroft's hand-book almanac for the Pacific States''
H.H. Bancroft and Company, 1864
* Lane, Samuel Alanson
''Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County: embellished by nearly six hundred engravings—portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional—ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history—pioneer incidents, interesting ...''
Beacon Job Department, 1892
* Malone, Michael P., Roeder, Richard B., Lang, William L.
''Montana: a history of two centuries''
University of Washington Press, 1991,
* McPherson, Robert
''Bannack Montana''
Lulu.com, 2006,
* Merrill-Maker, Andrea
''Montana Almanac''
Globe Pequot, 2005,
* Morgan, Ted
'' Shovel of Stars: The Making of the American West – 1800 to the Present''
Simon & Schuster, 1996,
*
*
* Slatta, Richard W.
''The mythical West: an encyclopedia of legend, lore, and popular culture''
ABC-CLIO, 2001,
* Smith, Joseph Patterson
''History of the Republican party in Ohio, Volume 1''
Lewis Publishing Company, 1898
* Taylor, William Alexander
''Ohio in Congress from 1803 to 1901, with notes and sketches of senators and representatives, and other historical data and incidents''
XX. Century Publishing Co., 1900
*
''The Encyclopedia Americana: a library of universal knowledge, Volume 19''
Encyclopedia Americana Corp., 1919
''The National cyclopaedia of American biography: being the history of the United States as illustrated in the lives of the founders, builders, and defenders of the republic, and of the men and women who are doing the work and moulding the thought of the present time, Volume 11''
J. T. White company, 1901
* Thompson, Francis M., Owens, Kenneth N.
''A Tenderfoot in Montana: Reminiscences of the Gold Rush, the Vigilantes, and the Birth of Montana Territory''
Montana Historical Society, 2004,
* Upton, Harriet Taylor, Cutler, Harry Gardner
''History of the Western Reserve, Volume 1''
The Lewis publishing company, 1910
* Waldrep, Christopher
''The many faces of Judge Lynch: extralegal violence and punishment in America''
Palgrave Macmillan, 2002,
''Works: History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. 1890''
History Co., 1890
External links
Retrieved on 2008-02-14
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edgerton, Sidney
Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio
Governors of Montana Territory
Idaho Territory judges
Ohio lawyers
County district attorneys in Ohio
People from Cazenovia, New York
People from Livingston County, New York
Politicians from Akron, Ohio
People of Ohio in the American Civil War
People of Montana in the American Civil War
1818 births
1900 deaths
American agnostics
University of Cincinnati College of Law alumni
Ohio Free Soilers
Montana pioneers
Montana Republicans
Idaho Republicans
19th-century American politicians
People from Tallmadge, Ohio
19th-century American judges
19th-century American lawyers