The

Edgerton

Database

Index

Sources

Edwin Oviatt Edgerton, son of Calvin and Emma L. (Oviatt) Edgerton. PHOTO

born:	January 8, 1876; Yreka, Siskiyou Co., CA. (WWI DRC) (DI CA)
died:	February 11, 1947; Oakland, Alameda Co., CA. (DI CA) (OB Oakland Tribune 2/12/1947)

married:

Helen Coombs, daughter of John C. Coombs. PHOTO

born:	November 30, 1882; Illinois. (DI CA) (SSDI)
died:	January 12, 1971; Oakland, Alameda Co., CA. (DI CA) (SSDI) (OB Oakland Tribune 1/15/1971)

Children:

Jack Oviatt, b. August 23, 1910; Oakland, Alameda Co., CA.
Joan, b. 1912; Oakland, Alameda Co., CA.
Patricia, b. June 5, 1923; Oakland, Alameda Co., CA.

The following biography of Edwin Oviatt Edgerton is excerpted from Out West – A Magazine of The Old Pacific and the New (Charles F. Lummis & Charles Amadon Moody, eds.; Los Angeles, Cal.: Out West Magazine Company; Vol. XXX, January-June 1909; pg. 340):

“EDGERTON, EDWARD [sic] OVIATT, Attorney, was born in Yreka, California, January 8, 1876, his father being Calvin Edgerton, his mother Emma Oviatt. His father had been in California since 1852, coming here with his uncle, Henry Edgerton, an orator of note.

He was educated in the public schools and University of California, coming to Los Angeles in 1888. He was admitted to the Bar in 1898, and has practiced his profession since that time.

At the time of the breaking out of the Spanish war Mr. Edgerton enlisted in the National Guards of California, hoping to see service in battle, but was disappointed. At the time of the San Francisco disaster Mr. Edgerton was particularly effective in connection with the relief-work undertaken by the Native Sons of the Golden West.

As one of the five commissioners appointed by the Native Sons of the Golden West to consider the cases of Ruef, Schmitz, Gallagher and other San Francisco accused "boodlers," he was instrumental in purging that body by the expulsion of these men in 1907. Senator Caminetti was Chairman of that Committee, and Mr. Edgerton. Secretary. He was also one of the founders of the "Grizzly Bear" magazine.

As one of the committee of five on filling vacancies in the Democratic city ticket in 1906. he was able to be of much service to the cause of genuine non-partisanship.

During the recent recall election he was Secretary of the Municipal League Committee in charge of the campaign.

Mr. Edgerton has just (April, 1909) been selected as Secretary of the Municipal League. He is also a charter member of the City Club, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.”

The household of Edwin O. Edgerton was recorded in the 1920 Federal Census of Oakland City (Precinct 101), Alameda County, California (pg. 58; dwelling #129; family #131; enum. January 5-6, 1920), as follows:

Name	Rel.	Age	Birthplace	Marital	Parents’ birthplace
				Status	Father	Mother
----------------------------	--------	--------	-----------	----------	----------	----------
Edwin Edgerton	head	44	CA	M	MA	OH
Helen C.	wife	36	IL	M	England	Canada
Jack	son	9	CA	S	CA	IL
Joan	dau.	7	CA	S	CA	IL
Helen Hansen	servant	27	CA	M	Unk.	Unk.
Emma Edgerton	mother	73	OH	Wd	OH	OH

Edwin’s occupation was listed as “President – State Office”. The family was residing at 6 Prospect Drive.

The household of Edwin O. Edgerton was recorded in the 1930 Federal Census of Oakland City, Alameda County, California (pg. 223; dwelling #156; family #157; enum. April 4, 1930), as follows:

Name	Rel.	Age	Birthplace	Marital	Parents’ birthplace
				Status	Father	Mother
----------------------------	--------	--------	-----------	----------	----------	----------
Edwin Edgerton	head	54	CA	M	CA	CA
Helen C.	wife	39	MI	M	U.S.	U.S.
Jack O	son	19	CA	S	CA	MI
Joan	dau.	18	CA	S	CA	MI
Patricia	dau.	7	CA	S	CA	MI
Marion Rasuto	servant	24	MT	S	Sweden	Sweden

Edwin’s occupation was listed as “Attorney – private practice”. The family was residing at 1025 Ashmount Avenue.

The following obituary notice for Edwin Oviatt Edgerton appeared in the Oakland Tribune on Wednesday, February 12, 1947:

“EDGERTON – In Oakland, February 11, 1947, Edwin O. Edgerton, beloved husband of Helen C. Edgerton, loving father of Jack O. Edgerton, Mrs. Oliver R. Jones and Mrs. Thomas Roberts; grandfather of Randy and Caroline Jones and Beverly Edgerton. A native of California. Services Thursday afternoon February 13, at 2 o’clock in the chapel of Albert Brown Co., 3476 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland.”

A subsequent funeral notice was published in the Oakland Tribune the following day (Thursday, February 13, 1947) with similar details.

The following obituary notice for Mrs. Helen (Coombs) Edgerton was published in the Oakland Tribune on Friday, January 15, 1971:

“EDGERTON, Helen C., In Oakland, January 12, 1971, wife of the late Edwin O. Edgerton; loving mother of Jack O. Edgerton of Huntington Beach, Mrs. Joan Jones of Bend, Oregon and Mrs. Patricia E. Roberts of Piedmont; devoted sister of Mrs. Edith C. Lykken of Palm Springs; also survived by six grandchildren and eight great -grandchildren. A native of Illinois; aged 83 years. Privale family services were held Friday, January 15 in the Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Dr. Arthur Roming officiating. ALBERT BROWN MORTUARY Piedmont Ave., Oakland”