Evening star., 1935-07-16

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remarkable career as a citizen, philan-
thropist and public servant and
stressed his work as chairman Of the
commission which investigated prison
conditions in 1909. As result Of that
Investigation, the Commissioner said,
conditions have improved throughout
the country.
One of Mr.. Edson's later positions
of service was the treasurership Of the
National Press Building Corporation,
in which capacity he arranged the
financing and many details Of con-
struction of the new National Press
Building, at Fourteenth and F streets.
He was particularly happy to be OF
help In this undertaking, for he was
deeply interested in journalism and
in the National Press Club.
He envisioned the new club building
as "a great national gathering place
for the press, where journalists from
all parts Of the world may come to-
gether, get acquainted and discuss i'm
portant problems Of how best to pro-
mote their professional interests and
render the highest public service"
Declined COmpissionership.
Mr.. Edison at least twice declined
appointment as District Commissioner
He was formally offered the post by
President Harrison in 1893 and by
President Mckinley in 1901, and 1t is
SAID he was offered the appointment
informally on other occasions.
He was treasurer of the United
States Chamber of Commerce for
many years after its organization in
1912, and later was made honorary
vice president. His advice and aid
were sought persistently by persons
high in the business world who count
ed as invaluable his financial counsel
In matters of Importance.
Born in Ohio.
Mr.. Edison was born May II, 1846,
in Jefferson, Ohio, and he received
his early education in the Ohio pub
lie schools. He cut short his prelimi-
nary schooling to enlist, at the age of
IS. with the 61st New York Volun-
teers. He served with the Union
forces from 1861 to 1853, when he was
discharged because of impaired
health. During his enlistment he was
assigned to the Infantry and he carried
important messages at the battles Of
Antietam and Fredericksburg.
On being mustered out of the mill
tary service he applied for a Govern
ment position here, and was appointed
a messenger in the Treasury Depart
ment. He was soon promoted to
clerk in the Office of the controller of
the currency, serving from 1853 to
1875.
Receives Degree in Law.
During this period Of employment
he spent his evenings studying to be-
come a lawyer. He attended a night
school and then went to the old CO.
lumbian Law School, now George
Washington University. He received
his law degree in 1868 and was ad-
mitted to the bar the same year.
He resigned from the Government
service in 1875 to engage in the prac-
tice Of patent law with his brother,
Joseph Edison. He withdrew from this
partnership in 1881 to devote his
whole attention to building associa-
tionS. He then was secretary of the
Franklin and the Jefferson Building
Associations. When these associa-
tions closed their careers upon ma
turing of their single issues of shares.
he took over active direction of the
affairs of the Equitable Cooperative
Building Association, which he had
in 1879. He was secretary
of this association from its inception
until 1898. when he was elected presi-
dent. He had held that Office ever
since.
President of Trust Company.
In 1894 he was made president of
the Washington Loan g. Trust Co.,
and he held that post until 1917,
when he was made chairman of the
board. He was first vice president of
the bank from 1879 to 1894. He was
a director Of the Columbia National
Bank at the time of his death.
His work on the Federal Prison
Commission won him national re-
nown. Appointed to the commission
by President Roosevelt, he visited
more than 10 prisons in all parts of
the United States and instituted
numerous reforms.
His capacities for civic leadership
led to his appointment as chairman
OF various committees in charge of
public celebrations and ceremonies in
the Capital. He was head of the
executive committee which received
and entertained the Grand Army of
the Republic in 1892 on the occasion
OF the veterans first and largest re-
union here. He was chairman of the
Inaugural Committee for President
McKinley's Inauguration in 1901 and
was member Of each Inaugural
Executive Committee from 1889 to
1918.
Other Activities.
He was a vice president of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants of
the District Of Columbia.
He was president Of the D. c. Civil
Service Reform Association from 1895
to 1907 and Of the Federal Board of
Charities from 1900 to 1919. He served
as treasurer of George Washington Uni
Versity from 1903 to 1905 and since 1901
had been a member of the board of
trustees. He was president of the old
D. c. Board of Charities and member
and former chairman of the present
Board of Public Welfare. He was presi-
dent of the John Dickson Home. Hewas
a member of the National Association
for Constitutional Government, the
Archaeological Society of Washington.
the National Geographic Society, the
Columbia Historical Society, the Co.'S
mos Club. University Club, Metropol-
itan Club, Chevy Chase Club, National
Press Club and Monday Evening Club.
He was treasurer of the national Geo.
graphic Society from 1900 to 1919.
Joining the Board of Trade upon
It's organization, he was made a mem
Der of the Finance Committee, was
elected director in 1896, was made
chairman of the Committee on Tax
alton and assessments that same year.
His terms as president of the board