Hiram Edgerton

Hiram Haskell Edgerton (April 19, 1847 – June 18, 1922) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 49th mayor of Rochester, New York from 1908 to 1921.

Biography

Early life Edgerton was born on April 19, 1847, in Belfast, New York. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Rochester, where his father ran a lumber business and construction firm. In 1868, he married Medora L. DeWitt. The couple had two daughters. In 1880, he inherited the construction firm. Under his direction, the firm constructed several churches, government buildings, and commercial buildings like the Sibley's, Lindsay and Curr Building in Rochester.

Political career Edgerton entered local politics in the 1870s, serving as a board of education member from 1872 to 1876. He became an ally of Republican boss George W. Aldridge, who backed him for nominations to higher offices. In 1895, Edgerton was recruited by Aldridge to succeed him as mayor. He lost the close election to George E. Warner, a Democrat. Edgerton was elected to the common council in 1900, becoming its president. In 1907 he made a second run for mayor and was elected, succeeding James G. Cutler. When the New York Barge Canal opened in 1918, the old section of the Erie Canal running through the city was abandoned. Edgerton and other city officials pursued the construction of a subway system in the abandoned canal bed. Construction was unanimously approved by the common council on November 9, 1921, and the Rochester subway would later begin operations in 1927.

In 1910, the issue of a city flag arose at an industrial exhibition. A committee recommended a design by David E. Spear to be adopted as an official flag. Edgerton issued a pronouncement for the adoption of the flag, which was officially approved by the city council in 1934.

Death and legacy Edgerton died on June 18, 1922, in Rochester, and he was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. Edgerton Park in Rochester is named for him.