About Margaret A. Edison (1838–1925)
“Mrs.
Margaret Edison, in City 63 Years Dead,” Grand Rapids Press, September 22, 1925.
On September 5, 1887, Margaret A. Edison made history as one of the first women to run for elected office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She, along with Dr. Frances Hillyer and Melissa E. Holden, had thrown her hat in the ring for a seat on the Grand Rapids Board of Education.
She ran in the Sixth Ward and received twenty-nine votes to her opponent Henry J. Felker’s majority of 161.
After Edison’s death in 1925, she was celebrated as a 63-year resident of Grand Rapids. Her obituary also noted that she was active in what was known as the Old Settlers Association, the Second St. Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Sources
Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi.
“Mrs. Margaret Edison, in City 63 Years Dead,” Grand Rapids Press, September 22, 1925.
“School Elections.” Grand Rapids Telegram–Herald, September 6, 1887.
Campaign Information
Political Office: Board of Education
Election Year: 1887
Party Affiliation: Nonpartisan race
Elected: No
Biographical Information
Full Name: Margaret A. Edison
Life Dates: 1838-1925
Birthplace: Plainwell, MI
Marital Status: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Political Affiliation: Unknown
Social Reform Activism: Unknown