EDGOOSE:
In search of Ancestry
EDGOOSE, John Francis
1874 - 1942 (67 years) Has 14 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
1846 - 1887 (40 years)-
Name EDGOOSE, John Francis Birth 19 Nov 1874 Pennsylvania, USA 
Gender Male Death 23 Oct 1942 San Francisco, USA Burial 21 Nov 1942 Colma, California, USA Person ID I1899 Edgoose Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
Father EDGOOSE, Joel, b. 8 Aug 1844, Swineshead, Lincolnshire, England d. 20 Aug 1879, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA (Age 35 years) Relationship natural Mother FINNEY, Julia, b. 1 Sep 1846, Lane End, Staffordshire d. 1887, San Francisco, USA (Age 40 years) Relationship natural Marriage 1 Oct 1865 Longton, Staffordshire, England Family ID F448 Group Sheet | Family Chart
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Biographies 
EDGOOSE, John Francis (1874-1942)
John F. EDGOOSE was born in Pennsylvania, USA, on 19 November 1874, son of Joel and Julia EDGOOSE. John EDGOOSE had married Julia FINNEY at Longton, Staffordshire, England, on 1 October 1865.
His widowed mother married Rufus S. CROSS in San Francisco in 1882 but died five years later.
(San Francisco Call 1887M - 1195 & 866)
The San Francisco, California, Daily Evening Bulletin dated 16 March 1887 reported that E. T. DOOLEY, Superintendent of the Boys and Girls' Aid Society, had applied to be appointed guardian of several children, among whom was John EDGOOSE, aged eleven (sic).
(Daily Evening Bulletin, Issue 135 page 3 column G)
John Francis EDGOOSE is listed in the Voter Register for the 1st Precinct, 44th Assembly District, San Francisco County in 1896:
Age: 22, Height: 5' 8 1/2", Light Complexion, Gr. Eyes, Light Hair, Occupation Printer, Local Residence: 604 Vallejo Floor 2 Room Fr..
He registered on 22 July 1896.
The San Francisco Call of 14 August 1896 reported the arrest of Frank EDGOOSE under the heading 'Used a Brick as a Weapon':
"Frank EDGOOSE, better known among his associates as the "Kid," was arrested last evening by Officer RATHFON and Special Policeman BERGE and detained at California-street police staion on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Last Sunday morning EDGOOSE, accompanied by several friends, went into the saloon of P. POLA, Pacific and Monthomery Streets, and raised a disturbance. During the fracas the prisoner threw a brick at POLA, which struck him on the forehead, inflicting an ugly wound. The "Kid" made his escape, but last evening he was seen by the officers and promptly placed under arrest."
(http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/)
He registered to vote again on 10 August 1898. He was described as a 23 year old fireman, 5' 8 1/2" tall, of fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, a scar on his chin, nativity Penn, local residence 301 Montgomery 2nd Floor Room 18.
At the time of the 1900 United States census Jake F. EDGOOSE was living in Antioch town, Contra Costa, California. He was born in November 1874. The head of household was James E. SWEENEY. His occupation could possibly read "fireman".
(http://pilot.familysearch.org)
According to the 1910 United States Federal Census he was 35 years old, single, born in Pennsylvania, and lodging at 412 Broadway Street, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. He was a solicitor of photographs, unemployed on 15 April 1910 and had been unemployed for 25 weeks in 1909.
(www.ancestry.com District 306 Image 34)
According to his World War I Draft Registration Card dated 12 September 1918 he was 43 years old, born on 19 November 1874. He was living at 910 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California. He was unemployed and had no nearest relative. He was tall, slender, and had blue eyes and brown hair. His right arm was missing. He signed his name John Francis EDGOOSE.
From the San Francisco Chronicle, 9 June 1919, page 3:
"Messenger's Bicycle Runs Into Fire Truck
John EDGOOSE, a 50 year old messenger boy, riding his bicycle at Market and California Streets yesterday, collided with the broadside of 12 Engine returning from a south of Market Street fire. EDGOOSE was thrown ten feet and picked himself up with only a few minor bruises. He was treated at the Harbor Emergency Hospital."
(www.Footnote.com)
From The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California), 9 June 1919:
"Messenger Cyclist Crashes Into Truck
John F. EDGOOSE, 65 years old, employed by the Western Union as a messenger, was injured yesterday when the bicycle on which he was riding skidded and crashed into a fire department truck at California and Market streets. EDGOOSE was treater severe lacerations at the Harbor Emergency Hospital. The truck, which belonged to 12 engine, was returning from a fire at First and Harrison streets when the accident happened."
(www.Newspapers.com)
According to the 1930 United States Federal Census he was a 55 year old unmarried newsboy, born in Pennsylvania, and lodging in Clay Street, San Francisco, California (www.ancestry.com)
John EDGOOSE, 76 Summer, San Francisco, California, news vender (sic).
(Polk's Crocker-Langley City Directory 1937)
The 1940 US Federal Census shows that John EDGOOSE was still lodging at 76 Summer Street, San Francisco, California. He was single, aged 65, and worked as a news vendor for a daily newspaper. He worked for eight hours in the week before the census and had an income of $180, although he received income from other sources. He was employed for a total of 12 weeks in 1939. His education consisted of Elementary School 7th grade.
(www.ancestry.co.uk)
He died in San Francisco, USA, on 23 October 1942 aged 67.
John EDGOOSE was buried at Holy Cross Colma, Colma, California, on 21 November 1942 in Section A, Row 4, Number 59.
(My Heritage)
(revised 09.02.2026)