The

Edgerton

Database

Home

Index

Sources

Search

Researchers

Notes...

Contact info

Photos

Links

Credits…

Mark Edgerton, son of Albert and Rebecca Davis (Clark) Edgerton.                                                                                                             PHOTO

Lillian Gray, daughter of James B. and Emma Scott (Ansley) Gray.

Children:

1. Ruth Gray, b. June 1890; Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO.

At the time of the 1880 Federal Census, Mark Edgerton and his wife were residing in the boarding house of James R. Pershall in Junction City, Davis County, Kansas (dwelling #88; family #93; enum. June 4, 1880).  They were enumerated as follows:

The household of Mark Edgerton was recorded in the 1900 Federal Census of Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri (dwelling #17; family #18; enum. June 1, 1900), as follows:

According to the above census record, Lillian was the mother of one child.  Mark’s occupation was listed as “physician”, and Ruth was noted as “at school”.

The following biography of Dr. Mark Edgerton is excerpted from A Memorial & Biographical Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri (Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company; 1896):

“MARK EDGERTON, M. D.

Ex-dean and professor of material medica in the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College, was born on the 23rd day of March, 1854, in the town of Delhi, Delaware county, New York.  His father, Judge Albert Edgerton, was a native of the same state and a son of one of the Revolutionary heroes who aided the colonies in their struggle for independence.  The Judge was a self-made man and became quite prominent in the community in which he lived.  In 1859 he removed with his family to St. Paul, Minnesota, and in that city the Doctor attended the public and high schools, after which he entered the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, Delaware county, New York, where he completed his literary education.  In 1874 he took up the study of medicine under a preceptor in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in the centennial year went to the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Edgerton, however, had another object than that of visiting the exposition.  He entered the Hahnemann Medical College there, pursuing a 3 year course in that justly celebrated institution, under the preceptorship of Dr. Charles Mohr, at the same time making his home with the Doctor, whom he found a wise counselor and faithful friend.  His earnest application and thorough investigation gave him an excellent knowledge of his chosen calling, and he left the college to learn the most practical lessons in the school of experience.  In March, 1879, he was graduated and granted a diploma.

Immediately afterward he started for the west and spent a few days in Kansas City, but continued his journey to Junction City, Kansas, where, on the 3rd of May of that year, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Gray, whose acquaintance he had formed several years previously in St. Paul, Minnesota.  After a short bridal trip the young couple located in a small town in southeastern Nebraska, where the Doctor opened an office and practiced for about 1 ½ years.  Not finding country practice congenial, however, he removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, a city of about 17,000 inhabitants, where he entered into a partnership with Dr. W. H. Canie, a friend of his boyhood days.  Better success came to him in his new home, and he remained there for 2 years, when, on account of failing health, due to the long, severe winters, he decided to find a new location, where the climate conditions were more favorable.  This led to his connections with Kansas City, where he opened an office in June, 1885.  In 1887 Dr. Edgerton became a charter member of the Kansas City Homeopathic Medical College, and was elected to the chair of physiology.  After lecturing for 3 years on this branch he was tendered the chair of material medicince – the most important professorship in the institution – which he accepted and has since creditably and satisfactorily filled.  During his connection with this institution he has for 5 years been honored with official positions, serving for the past 2 years as dean of the faculty.  The duties of teaching added to the cares of a very extensive practice, makes his life a busy one, and did he not possess an excellent constitution and robust health he could not stand the arduous demands made upon his time.  That he is recognized as one of the most capable members of the profession is shown by his large patronage, and his brethren of the fraternity also acknowledge his superior skill and merit.

The Doctor and Mrs. Edgerton have one child, an interesting little daughter of 5 years, whom they have named Ruth Gray, and who is the light of the parents' home.  The Doctor is especially fond of children and young people, whom he is ever ready to aid and encourage as they seek improvement.  Aside from his profession he is a man of broad mind, of general information and liberal culture, and since coming to Kansas City, under a competent foreign-born German professor, he has learned to read, write and speak the German language fluently.  Improvement has ever been his watch word and is the keynote to his success.”

Original Source Documents:

1880 Federal Census – household of James R. Pershall; Junction City, Davis Co., KS.

1900 Federal Census – household of Mark Edgerton; Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO.

Obituary – Mark Edgerton; The Los Angeles Times – Wednesday, April 30, 1941.