Madison Edgecomb
Madison Edgecomb, a retired farmer of Beaver Dam, is one of the substantial, influential men of the county and formerly lived on the old Edgecomb homestead in Richland township. He owns the adjoining farm of 120 acres in section 31. Mr. Edgecomb was born in Bath township, Allen County, Ohio, June 9, 1850, and is a son of Marquis and Hannah (Everett) Edgecomb. His paternal grandparents were Uriah and Elizabeth (Doud) Edgecomb, both of whom were of English descent. Lord William Henry Edgecomb, of England, is a relative of our subject and his photograph is among the family pictures which adorn the Edgecomb home. The name was originally spelled "Edgcumbe."
Marquis Edgecomb was born December 11, 1826, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and was a lad of five years when his parents settled in Bath township, this county. He was one of 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity. By occupation he was a farmer, though he also ran a hotel at Beaver Dam for about five years. He was a member of the Home Guards during the Civil War and was at all times a patriotic citizen. His wife, Hannah Everett, was a daughter of Jacob and Betsey (Bush) Everett, and was born November 9, 1826, near Solon, New York. Her parents came to this county when she was a girl of 12 years and she has been a resident here ever since. She has made her home with our subject since the death of her husband on May 20, 1901. The children born to this worthy couple were as follows: Sarah Ann, who died in infancy; Madison; Margaret Ann (Phillips), deceased; Elisha, who died in his 21s year; Betsey M., deceased, who married P. R. Bailey; Sarah Priscilla, who died at the age of five years; George Washington, of Lima; and William, born December 25, 1874, who resides on the homestead at Beaver Dam.
Madison Edgecomb resided continuously on the same farm from 1857 to 1891. In addition to general farming, he has engaged in the production of oil, having none wells on his land, which yield a handsome income. In 1900 he bought his present residence in Beaver Dam a cozy, pleasant home and the most attractive in the village. Mr. Edgecomb was at one time interested in a flouring mill which he with others, operated for three or four years in Beaver Dam. He has been twice married; first, on December 19, 1872, to Philena M. Barnhard, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, February 24, 1855, and died February 8, 1882. There were two children by this union, both of whom, Orrin and Virgil, are deceased. On June 5, 1884, Mr. Edgecomb married his present wife, Mrs. Mollie (Frisbie) Fee, widow of the late James M. Fee. Mrs. Edgecomb is a daughter of Lewis and Nancy (Trout) Frisbie, was born in Licking County, this State, September 6, 1855. They have no children. Mr. Edgecomb does not take an active part in politics, but supports with is vote the Republican party.