Alonzo J. Edgerton
Duluth News-Tribune
Sunday, Aug. 29, 1915
ST. PAUL Aug. 28. - Alonzo J. Edgerton, assistant attorney general, died unexpectedly this morning at his home here. Typhoid fever contracted about a month ago while on a vacation trip west was the immediate cause of death.
News of Mr. Edgerton's death came without warning, a report received at the attorney general's office yesterday being to the effect that he was improving. A short time after returning from his vacation he was taken ill, but at no time was his condition considered serious.
Mr. Edgerton was a native and life-long resident of Minnesota, was 41 years of age. He was born at Mantorville, Dodge county, and took up the profession of law at an early age. He was graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1898. In 1902 he was elected county attorney of Le Sueur county and continued in office until 1908, when he moved to St. Paul.
His connection with the state legal department began in 1912 when he was named assistant to succeed Lyndon A. Smith, who was elected attorney general. As a member of the department he had charge of the railroad and banking divisions. He was regarded as an exceptionally fine trial lawyer and conducted a number of cases of note for the department.
As legal advisor for the state railroad and warehouse commission, Mr. Edgerton added materially in the preparation of the rate schedule under the Cashman distance tariff law. He also appeared before the Interstate Commerce commission in behalf of the state railroad commission and was instrumental in warding off a number of threatened increases in passenger and freight rates which would have cost the state millions of dollars.
A widow, a son, 11 years old, and a daughter, 5 years old, survive. The funeral arrangements will not be completed until relatives in Colorado are heard from.