Marcus D. Edgerton Biography


	This biography appears on pages 449-450 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				MARCUS D. EDGERTON. 

	Marcus D. Edgerton, the proprietor of a well known men's 
furnishings store in Spearfish, was born in Granville, Washington 
county, New York, January 19, 1859, a son of John and Charlotte (Wyman) 
Edgerton, both natives of Vermont. The father was born in Rutland 
county, his father, Captain Simeon Edgerton, being a pioneer of that 
county. John Edgerton was a farmer throughout his active life and never 
left the east. He died in 1885 but his widow survived until 1892. He 
was highly esteemed in his community and held a number of local 
offices. 

	Marcus D. Edgerton is the youngest in a family of five children. 
His educational opportunities were those afforded by the public schools 
of New York state. At the age of sixteen years he began his business 
career, working for others in New York and also in Pennsylvania. When 
about twenty-one years of age he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, 
where he was employed as a hotel clerk for a short time, and afterward 
held a similar position in Lawrence, Kansas. Upon leaving that place he 
removed to Mitchell, South Dakota, and after engaging for a time in the 
laundry business entered a one hundred and sixty acre claim in Aurora 
county and resided thereon until he had proved up. He went to the Black 
Hills in 1884 and worked in Deadwood for the telephone company for one 
year Going to Buffalo Gap, he was there employed in a grocery store for 
a year, and the following year he removed to Sundance, Wyoming, where 
he remained for about six months. His next removal was to Spearfish, 
South Dakota, where he worked in a grocery store for about three years, 
and then wells to Minnesela, where he was connected with the 
confectionery and news business for two years. On his return to 
Spearfish, he purchased a stock of clothing and men's furnishings, 
boots and shoes and is still in that business, which has proved a 
distinct success. He carries a large and well selected stock and as his 
customers are sure of receiving full value for their money many of his 
patrons have traded with him for a number of years. He is interested in 
mining properties in the vicinity of Spearfish, the Break of Day and 
Castle Rock being two of the mines in which he has invested. He is also 
the owner of valuable real estate, including the building in which his 
store is located. 

	Mr. Edgerton was married on the 10th of September, 1889, to Miss 
Maud E. Daggett, who was born in Nebraska, a daughter of David and 
Julia Daggett, the former a native of Wisconsin. Her father engaged in 
farming in early life but later was connected with the drug business in 
Sloan, Iowa. He also lived in Nebraska for a time but in 1885 removed 
to the Black Hills and located in Spearfish, where he conducted a drug 
business until his death, which occurred in May, 1898. He had five 
children, of whom Mrs. Edgerton is the fourth in order of birth. She 
has become the mother of a son, Leroy D., who was born August 4, 1890, 
and is assisting his father in the latter's business. 

	Mr. Edgerton of this review is a republican and for some time was 
a member of the city council and for two years held the office of city 
treasurer. He has not aspired to other offices, however, as his 
business demands his undivided attention and as he believes that in 
building up a prosperous mercantile enterprise he also serves his city. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue 
lodge, chapter, commandery and Shrine, and is prelate in the 
commandery. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. 
His success in the business world has been founded upon industry, a 
keen sense of right and a readiness to see and utilize opportunities. 
Through adherence to high standards of conduct he has won the sincere 
respect of all who have had business dealings with him or have come in 
contact with him in the social relations of life and his activities are 
a factor in the development of Spearfish.