The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-08-07

From the Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
KETCH
LIFE OF WILLIAM BIGLER.

II is not until man emerges from the COM
pafative obscurity of private life, and assumes
a prominent part in public affairs, that the
community inquire into his personal history,
and seek to ascertain by what successful steps
he has attained position Some are relatively
creat-others are moro indebted to adventitous
circumstances rather than to individual char
acter; and as they are thrown upon the surface
by accident, pass from the scene without note
or mark. Others again, particularly IN this
country, achieve greatness, trained in the school
Of adversity, with none of the advantages OF
wealth, position, or influence. BY indOmitable
perseverance, nwavering industry, and high
moral integrity they assume their proper place
among their fellow men. OF such is the subject
Of the present brief sketch.
WILLIAM BIGLER, the Democratic candidate
for Governor of Pennsylvania, was born in
Cumberland county, December 1913. His
father was a respectable and intelligent farmer,
much beloved by his neighbors. His means
being small, and his family large, he was in
iuced to exchange his small farm in Cumber-
land for large tract of wild land in Mercer,
To this place he removed in 1920, and COM
menced the arduous task of clearing the forest.
WILLIAM BIGLER was at this time seven years
Of age; at ten he had the misfortune to lose
his father. He was thus left with his widowed
mother, and helpless brothers and sisters amid
the rude scenes of forest life, with ecessant
toll and severe privations, entirely dependent
upon his own exertions; and yet it is under
such circumstances that the innate energies of
character are developed Aided by his broth
ers, he maintained in comfort his mother, sa-
crihcing all selfish considerations to the sacred
duty Of providing for her support. He re-
served only the pittance requisite in such loca-
tons TO pay for the elementary education to be
acquired during the winter months. Many now
residing in Mercer, remember the bearing of
the boy-his persevering industry, sturdy in
dependence, and filial devotion. His rigid
economy and sterling integrity gave promise of
that success which has attended him in every
sphere in which he has been called to move
Honesty OF purpose, and stern principle, were
his guides. No lofty aspirations made him dis
contented with his life of toll; and while he
embraced every opportunity of improving his
intellect, he engaged actively in the business
Of life. Fortunately, Mr.. BIGLER was not one
OF those young men considered by late trav-
eller as the only unfortunate ones she met with
IN our country,) who are born to an inheri-
tance of wealth. His relations and position in
life caiisd into immediate exercise all the abii-
ty with which he was endowed. He had neither
the time nor means to indulge in ruinous
dissipation or theoretical speculations, had the
tone and temper of his mind led him to such
courses.
In 1929, he selected as his future occupation
the trade of n carpenter. In 1881, he entered
printing ofice-that prolific school of sound
thought, and intelligent, well-toned minds His
brother, late Speaker Of the California House
of Representatives, and now Democratic candi-
date for Governor of that State, was then the
publisher OF the Centre Democrat. In 1888
when but yet minor-being but twenty years
age-in harmony with that determination of
purpose and sturdy independence which are
chief characteristics of his mind, with an old
printing press and twenty dollars loaned by
Trend, he undertook the hardy, and, as it ap-
peared to many of his friends, the fool-hard-.
enterprise of establishing Democratic paper
IN oiearheld County. The population was ex-
'0eedingly sparse, his resources meagre almost
" penury; without influence, without friends.
"ithout position, the present was dark, the
iu'ure unpromising. Contrary to the advice of
'Aperienced age, against every consideration
Vi personal comfort, he boldly dared, self-de-
pendant, the issue of doubtful experiment.
D'ins without TIE means to employ the neces-
assistance, he was editor, compositor,
pressman, and depR.
pohocal crisis was now approaching.
usnera JACKSON doubling the
snd Unite United States Bank, opposed re-oharter,
r.. .oiaiy dared the powers of the monster
.., ssen the most Indifferent were as their % inter-
ssS,. @ OF convictions swayed, forced into the
AsDaa-neutrality AsDa in politics was not known
Mr. Vi argument was now opened, and
g. oieIER did not stand aloof. The associa-
Of ~ 'oyhood, confirmed by the Judgment
tbe n. mature years. had arrayed him with
hocratio masses. The money power
sn,,-g ,,ng every energy of the people--infiu-
'ne commercial and manufacturing bust
aoang upon hopes or fears, welded
ui a.s sceptre. The Czearfeld Democrat,
~ 'he superintendent of Mr. B1aLER, was
"sPicuopsly active in this contest as an expo.