The son of Thomas F. Saltsman and Narcissa A. Nance, Edgar was born and grew up in Nashville, TN. It was there he received his education and, likely, the musical training that would earn him a livlihood later in life. At about the age of 15, he joined the work force in Nashville - employed in such jobs as candymaker and salesman. As of 1886, Edgar had moved on from his home town to Louisville, KY where he was once again employed as a candymaker. By 1888 Edgar had settled permanently in Washington, D.C. He was an accomplished musician and well known in the music circles of the area. He taught voice, piano and violin and was the organist of his church.

As early as 1896 Edgar operated, in partnership with William DeFord, the Saltsman-DeFord School of Music and Acting in Washington, D.C. Together, Professors Saltsman and DeFord produced and directed many amateur plays, operas, recitals and "musicales" - most often with their students as the performers. Many of these performances were given at fund-raising events for various charities, associations and organizations.

Prof. DeFord died on Jan 15, 1910 and, in the years after the death of his friend and business partner, Edgar seems to have been involved in teaching music only sporadically. He briefly operated, or worked for, the Columbia Conservatory of Music and, in later years, opened a new music school with his wife. Both of these endeavors seem to have been short-lived and, perhaps, were not pursued full-time. Edgar held government positions from approximately 1920 to at least 1931. In the last 10 years of his life, no musical reference to Edgar has been found.

Edgar was married at least twice. His first wife was Mrs. Nannie Lyle Smith. They were married on July 16, 1904 in Epiphany Church in Washington D.C. The small group present at the ceremony included Prof. DeFord who served as attendant to the groom. Little more than a month after the wedding, Edgar and Nannie had separated and were divorced the following year. His second wife was Julia Cecelia Alphonsa Augusta Grange Gallmeyer Denlinger, the daughter of William Grange and Elizabeth Newell. Julia's very long name was given to me by a descendent of her brother, Clarence Grange. She is sometimes found as Julia C. A. and Julia C. A. A. Julia had been widowed twice before her marriage to Edgar in about 1913. When Edgar died in 1933, his survivors were his wife of approximately 20 years, one brother and two sisters. He had no children.

Per his obituary, Edgar was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Verified by phone call that he was interred in the Cedar Hill Cemetery nearest D.C. which is located in Suitland, Prince George's County, Maryland.

Contributor note: Hugh Edgar was my gg uncle.