Edgerton, Sidney

Edgerton, Sidney

(1818–1900) U.S. representative, governor; born in Cazenovia, N.Y. After much self-education, he went to Ohio (1844) where he taught and also studied law. A firm abolitionist, he was a delegate to the Free-Soil Convention (1848) and the first Republican National Convention (1856). As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (Rep., Ohio; 1859–63) he advocated abolition of slavery and the establishment of a transcontinental railroad. He was chief justice of the Idaho Territory (1863–64) and first governor of the Montana Territory (1864–65). He then resumed his law practice in Ohio.