Benjamin Hyde Edgerton (August 17, 1811 – December 9, 1886) was an American engineer, businessman, pioneer, and politician.
Benjamin Hyde Edgerton | |
|---|---|
| Alderman of the Milwaukee Common Council | |
| In office 1847–1848 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 17, 1811 Saybrook, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | December 9, 1886 (aged 75) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Sophia Hosmer (m. 1837) |
| Relations | Elisha W. Edgerton (brother) |
Early life and education
editEdgerton was born in Saybrook, Connecticut on August 17, 1811.[1][2] Edgerton studied to be a surveyor in Buffalo, New York.
Career
editAfter moving to Green Bay, Michigan Territory, in 1835,[2] he worked for the government as a surveyor and civil engineer. While in Green Bay, Edgerton was chosen to the seventh Michigan Territorial Council (the Rump Council) in 1835, including the western area of the Michigan Territory (present day Wisconsin and parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota) to provide for a smooth transition involving the establishment of Wisconsin Territory and the admission of the State of Michigan. Edgerton helped survey the city blocks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin[2] and the railroads in Wisconsin. He served on the first harbor commission in Milwaukee and was an alderman of the Milwaukee Common Council from 1847 to 1848.[3]
Personal life
editEdgerton married Sophia Hosmer in 1837.[2] He died at his home in Chicago, Illinois, on December 9, 1886.[2] His brother was Elisha W. Edgerton, a businessman and state legislator.[4][5]
Notes
edit- ^ 'Benjamin Hyde Edgerton: Wisconsin Pioneer,' The Wisconsin Magazine of History, vol. 4, Wisconsin State Historical Society: 1921, pg. 354-357
- ^ a b c d e "Obituary: Benjamin Hyde Edgerton". Chicago Daily Tribune. December 14, 1886. p. 3. Retrieved March 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Edgerton, Benjamin Hyde 1811 - 1886". Wisconsin Historical Society. 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ Benjamin Hyde Edgerton, Wisconsin Historical Society
- ^ 'Proceedings of the Society of the Wisconsin Historical Society at its Sixth-eight Annual Meeting,' October 21, 1920, vol. 68, Rump Council, Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Hyde Edgerton, pg. 155