Biographical Sketch of John P. EDGE (b. 1822); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lew Smedley Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* JOHN P EDGE, b. at the old Ship Tavern house, in East Caln, now Caln township, 6-22-1822; was a farm-boy till 18; spent three years at Westtown Boarding School; then taught public and private schools, read medicine, and was graduated M.D. by Jefferson Medical College, Phila., 1846. He entered upon the practise of his profession at Downingtown, and pursued it successfully until 1875, when he disposed of it to Dr. John F Evans. He was a member of the Assembly during the sessions of 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, his nomination being entirely spontaneous and unsolicited. He served as chairman of the committee on geologic survey; was also on committees on education, agriculture and constitutional reform. He originated and secured the passage of an act establishing the State Board of Agriculture, a measure which has perhaps done more than any other to raise the standard of the farming interests. He was appointed by Gov. Hartranft one of the three members of the board, and reappointed by the succeeding governors, Hoyt, Pattison (twice) and Hastings, after which this body gave place to the Department of Agriculture, which became a part of the political machinery of the State. Dr. Edge was also mainly responsible for the passage of an act to prevent fraud in the sale of butter and cheese. In the line of travel he has crossed the American continent and visited Europe; is a member of the Chester County Medical Society and has represented it in State and national associations; was commissioned a notary public by Gov. Pattison, which office he still holds, and succeeded the late Abraham Gibbons as president of the Mutual Fire Ins. Co., of Chester Co. He has been prominently identified with the Prohibition party for several years. Visit The George Smedley Homepage http://smedley.lewis.home.att.net This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/chester/bios/e/edge-jp.txt