EDGINGTON, W. W. b:1840

EDGINGTON, TAYLOR, RATHBUN

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 2/12/2005 at 13:56:56

W. W. Edgington, Sheriff of Black Hawk County, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, February 8, 1840, the second son of George and Mary (Taylor) Edgington, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively.

The grandfather, John Edgington, came from Virginia, and was one of the early settlers of Eastern Ohio. In 1846 W.W., our subject, moved with his parents to Iowa, they locating in Linn County, where he was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving a common-school education in the schools of his neighborhood.

In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-Fourth Iowa Infantry, and served three years. He participated in the battles of Champion Hills, Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, and Jackson campaign. He was then transferred to General Banks's command and was with him in the Red River expedition, after which his regiment was sent with several others to General Sheridan, in the Shenandoah Valley. He was then sent to General Sherman, and was with him at the surrender of General Joe Johnston, after which he did garrison duty at Savannah, Georgia. He was mustered out in August, 1865, when he returned to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and the same year began dealing in grain and agricultural implements which he followed till 1878. He was then appointed to the office of deputy sheriff under George W. Hayzlett, and in 1883 was elected sheriff, assuming the duties of his present office in January, 1884.

Mr. Edgington was married in 1865 to Sylvia A. Rathbun, a native of Cedar County, Iowa. This union has been blessed with one daugher-Laura.

[ History of Black Hawk County 1873-1904,
p. 267]