Col. Edgerly has been a Democrat from youth, and has ever manifested a lively interest in political affairs, although he has had neither the time nor inclination to enter, to any extent, upon the duties of public position, even had it been in the power of his party to confer the same. He has, however, in such time as he was able to command, done a great deal of party work in different campaigns; and in 1874 was elected a member of the board of aldermen, although his ward was strongly Republican at the time, thus demonstrating his personal popularity and the esteem in which he is held in the community where he resides. He has frequently served as a member of the Democratic state committee, and as treasurer of the same, and a member of the executive committee; also, as chairman of the Democratic city committee in Manchester. He was a delegate from New Hampshire to the Democratic national convention at Baltimore, in 1872, which nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency, and was the New Hampshire member of the Democratic national committee from 1872 to 1876. Again, in 1880, he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the national convention of his party. In 1871 he was appointed, by Gov. Weston, chief of staff; and in 1873 and 1874 he held the position of commander of the Amoskeag Veterans, of which organization he has long been an active and popular member. In 1874 he was appointed, by President Grant, an alternate commissioner to represent New Hampshire at the centennial exposition and celebration in Philadelphia.
Actively and closely as he has been engaged in his chosen line of business, Col. Edgerly has lent his aid and judgment to some extent to the encouragement and direction of other business enterprises. He has been many years a trustee of the Merrimack River Savings Bank and a director of the Suncook Valley Railroad, of which latter enterprise he was among the active promoters. He was also, for a time, a director of the City National Bank. In his religious associations he is an Episcopalian, and is an active member and officer of Grace church in Manchester. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic bodies in the city of his residence.
March 7, 1854, Col. Edgerly was united in marriage with Miss Alvina Barney of Danbury, by whom he has had three children, two of whom are now living, a son and daughter,—Clinton Johnson, born December 16, 1857, and Mabel Clayton, born October 18, 1859.
Col. Edgerly is a man of fine personal appearance, genial manners, and a ready appreciation of the demands of friendship and society, as well as those of business. There are few men of greater personal popularity in his city or state, and none who command more fully the confidence of those with whom they are brought into relationship, whether in business or in social life. Yet under fifty years of age, he has, it may naturally be assumed, many years of successful effort yet before him, and many more in which to enjoy the substantial reward of his labor.
ICHABOD GOODWIN.
GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 1859-60.