New-York tribune., 1922-06-19
Grief Is Fatal
TOCIOse Friend
OF Aldridge
Hiram II. Edgerton, II Years
Mayor Of Rochester, I'm
able 10 Withstand Shock of
Associates Sudden Death
Overcome at His Bier
Views Body at Courthouse
and Is Taken Home TO
Die Within 48 Hours

ROCHESTER. June ls-Hiram II.
Edgcrton. who retired on January as
Mayor Of Rochester after serving four
teen years, died at his home here
shortly after noon to-day. His death q
believed 20 have been fastened by that
Of his longtime friend and political
associate, George W. Aidridge, who
died last Tuesday on tho Westehes'er-
Biltmore Country Club gof links, NJ
Rye, ". Y.
Mr. Edgerion, who was ,eventy-hve
years old, had been in failing health
for more than a year. He was 50 deep
ly affected last Thursday when he
viewed the body Of Mr.. Aldridge At
Rochester that he had 20 be assisted
from tho bier
"Coodby, old pal. my heart is
broken" he said as he turned away.
lie was taken home Immediately and
physicians called. on Friday morn
ing he tried 70 dress % attend Mr.
Adridge's funeral, and the effort
caused his complete collapse He failed
gradually until his death a. exactly
noon to-day
The former Mayors death. follow
ing so soon after the sudden death Of
Mr. Alsridge, profoundly shocked the
whole community. For nearly two
decades they had been linked in the
public mind in the political leadership
Of tho city. and the coincidence Of
their deaths appeared 20 have deeply
impressed this association Of their
services. Close friends Of both re-
called that. as he vas being taken
home on Thursday, the former Mayor
said feeby more than once. Poor
George has gone, and I'll be with him
soon"
Nr. Edgorton. native 81 Belfast.
Allegany County, came 70 Rochester
with his parents az tho age Of eleven
years. completed his education here
and Joined his father in lumber bust
ness. which. in 1880. he left 70 take up
the building and contracting business.
His political career had begun nine
years earlier. in 1871, when he was
elected n school commissioner from the
Fourth Ward. He served four years,
the last two as president Of the Board
- Education. then consisting Of a rep
resen,at:ye from each ward. His
earliest public political association
with Mr. Aldridge came few years
later when he was appointed 20 serve
with him and John Alden on the com
mission 20 construct the East Side
trunk sewer. When Mr. Aldridge wa :
appointed State Superintendent Of
Public Works ne was Succeeded By Mr
Edger,on as president OF that commits
SION.
In 1929 Mr. Edger,on was elected
president of the Common Council AM
served until 1907. when he was elected
Mayor Among the achievements ol
his admini.tration were the extension
Of the eity's park and playground -ys
TEN and the conversion Of the olc
state industrial reform school build
ings and grounds into the site for the
city's annual exposition. The concep.
tion Of converting the Erie Canal bed
in Rochester into an industrial rapid
transit railroad. covered through ths
down town section by business street
was attributed 20 him. Actual WORK
on this plan began about month ago
As a contractor he constructed man.
important buildings, and for many
years his firm did practically all the
structural building for the Buffalo
Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad.