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The Edgerton Database |
Zeno Cromar Edgerton, son of Curtis and Amy (Harris) Edgerton.
Althea Elizabeth Fitch, daughter of Joseph and Ruby
Fitch.
Children:
Esther Johnson, daughter of Charles and
Mary (Slater) Johnson.
Our thanks are extended to Diane Hosler of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who was supplied most of the information
included here regarding the family and descendants of Zeno Cromar Edgerton.
Ms. Hosler is descended from Zeno and The parentage of Zeno Cromar
Edgerton has not yet been verified by primary records; however, the
circumstantial evidence overwhelmingly suggests that he was the eldest son of
Curtis and Amy (Harris) Edgerton.
Among this evidence are the coincidences of Zeno’s place of birth ( “Izetta Hosler Kent [a descendant of Zeno Edgerton] said that ‘they always said the Churchills were the only relatives we had up here (Antrim Co.).’ The Churchills were descendents of Zoa Edgerton... It could be however that the relationship between Zoa and Zeno was other than siblings. The VERY troubling thing to this assumption is that none of Zeno’s children are mentioned in his brother John’s probate file (1903). Joseph was alive and a neighbor of the Churchills who were included in the probate file (& therefore known by them). The probate file listing of nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews seems to be quite complete.” Although his birthplace is consistently listed in
census records as Zeno Cromar Edgerton was
married on July 11, 1831 at Zeno and Althea (Fitch) Edgerton had a family of
seven children – three sons, Curtis W., Joseph Henry and George W.; and four
daughters Olive, Marilla M., Ruby Maria and Alice
M. The youngest son, George, was
killed in the Civil War; each of the other children was married and raised a
family, most of them residing in The household of Zeno Edgerton was recorded in the
1840 Federal
Census of Bristol Township, 1 male “30 and under 40” (Zeno); 1 male “5 and under 10” (son Curtis); 1 male “under 5 years” (son Joseph); 1 female “30 and under 40” (wife Elizabeth); 1 female “20 and under 30” (?); 1 female “5 and under 10” (daughter Olive); and, 1 female “under 5 years” (daughter Marilla). The household of Zeno Edgerton was recorded in the
1850 Federal
Census of Almont,
Mrs. Althea Elizabeth (Fitch) Edgerton died on
June 30, 1854, presumably at ALTHA Wife of ZENO EDGERTON DIED June 30, 1854 Aged 43 yrs. 3 mos. The household of Zeno Edgerton was recorded in the
1860 Federal
Census of Almont,
At the time of this census, Zeno was residing
adjacent to his two sons, Curtis and Joseph, whose households were enumerated
next on the Almont census roll. On February 10, 1864, Zeno Edgerton purchased 40
acres of property in Zeno C. Edgerton was remarried on October 14, 1868
at The household of Zeno Edgerton was recorded in the
1870 Federal
Census of Algoma Township, Kent County,
Zeno Cromar Edgerton
died at Ensley Township, “FATAL ACCIDENT – A shocking accident occurred in the woods in Ensley township, Newaygo county on the 23d ult, resulting in the death of Mr. Zeno Edgerton of Algoma, Kent county. The unfortunate man was engaged in felling trees, and while cutting one loose from the stump, the tree having fallen and lodged in a binding position - a part of it flew sideways and struck one of his legs below the knee, and cut if off apparently - says our informant - as smoothly as it could have been done with a broad ax. The severed foot, in its boot was left where he stood and he was thrown bodily about twenty feet. He was immediately taken to the nearest house and a Physician called, but death relieved him of his sufferings in a few hours after the accident.” Another account of the tragedy was reported in The Wolverine
Clipper on Wednesday, March 1, 1871. Zeno C. Edgerton was buried at FATHER ZENO EDGERTON Born 1817 Died 1871 Diane Hosler notes that there is a military flag holder at Zeno’s gravesite,
however there is currently no record of his military service. Zeno was buried adjacent to “E. Edgerton
& ___Chrisste”.
This stone has not been indentified; possibly it belonged to a child
of Zeno’s grandson, Eugene Emerson Edgerton, and his wife Christina. Zeno C. Edgerton did not leave a will. His eldest son, “Curtiss W. Edgerton”, petitioned
the Kent County Probate Court on March 2, 1871 that his brother-in-law, Isaac
Walker, be granted administration of Zeno’s estate. A transcript of the probate file (Kent County Probate, File
#1533) has been provided by Diane Hosler. Zeno’s widow, Esther, was remarried at Original Source Documents: 1840 Federal
Census – household of Zeno Cromar Edgerton; Bristol Twp., Lapeer Co., MI. 1850 Federal
Census – household of Zeno Cromar Edgerton; Almont, Lapeer Co., MI. 1860 Federal
Census – household of Zeno Cromar Edgerton; Almont, Lapeer Co., MI. Marriage
record – Zeno Cromar Edgerton & Mrs. Esther
(Johnson) Spicer; Kent County Marriage Records, Vol. 1, pg. 309. 1870 Federal
Census – household of Zeno Cromar Edgerton; Algoma, Kent Co., MI. Gravestone
photo – Mrs. Althea Elizabeth (Fitch) Edgerton; Gravestone photo
– Zeno Cromar Edgerton; Obituary –
Zeno Cromar Edgerton; The Wolverine Clipper (Cedarr Springs,
Michigan) – Wednesday, March 1, 1871. Death
certificate – Mrs. Esther (Johnson) Spicer Edgerton Emmons; Michigan
State Death Certificates, #633. Gravestone
photo – Mrs. Esther (Johnson) Spicer Edgerton Emmons; Myers Cemetery;
Sparta, Kent Co., MI. |
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