Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-12-06
DEATH or ex.oov uloLra OF CALIFORNIA.


The news of the death Of this distinguished
gentleman, brother to onr townsmnn, Ex- Gov.
WIN, Bigler, cast gloom over our community,
for he was well known to many, and two of our
most prominent citizens, Hon. q. n. Barrett and
Ex-Gor' Bigler had been apprentices of the dc.
ceased to thc nrt Of printing. lie died in tho city
OF Sacramento, California, on the morning of the
2sth of November in the 9th year Of his agc.
John Biglcr was one Of class Of men, pecu.
liar to our country, who, without the advantages
Of wealth or influential relatives, have risen 50
rapidly to places Of distinction aud honorable
trust. His education was academic, but he
graduated in that great college of useful accom-
plishmcnls, the printing o,icc. lie commenced hi.
career when quito young as printer and editor, by
establishing the Ces,se De~ocroi at Bcllcfontc Pa.
which hepublishcd successfully gaining consiicra.
bic distinction as politician until 1884, when he
parted with the Denacra,, and removed to Day
ton, Ohio, where he published aal edited the
Dy'" Her'id, paper distinguished for its
visor and powerful support ol the Democratic
party.
In 1888 ho became Secretary Of tho Board
Of Public Works for that State, aud at a later
date General Agent of the Post oGicc Depart
mcnt at Washington. In 1910 he returned
to bis native State and published the PitisJargA
Po''. lie was printing this paper in 1910, when
Tie Pennsylvania Railroad Company was moor
poraicd, and matters arising out Of that logisle-
tion, aud the course of his brother William, then
N DI II, Il, 10 g.
10 continue the publication Of his paper
lie next located at Mt, Sterling, Illinois, aud
established Democratic newspaper. In lsle,
under the influence OF the wild excitement that
sprung up about New Eldoado on the Pacific
coast, he determined TO join party of friends
who we're en- route thithcr, aud make his future
home in that distant region. With biz wife and
little daughter, a wagon and four yoke Of oxen, a
'mall stock of household goods and very little
ready money, he started for California by the way
of Plkc's Poak aud Salt Lake. The incidents of
This trip are deeply interesting, but their narration
would require too much space for this occasion.
suffice it to say, that when he reached Sacramento
be still had his wio iu good health, his little
daughter with a broken limb. one yoke Of oxen,
part Of the wagon, and some of the goods, but all
else was ronc,
The first money he earned in California was In
he business Of u stevodorc--unloading groceries
ont Of a steamboat. He formed an early mart
ucrship at Sacramento with Milton 5. Latham. in
the practice Of the law, and Tor some time they in
rod their clients into shelter tent, on the banks
Of the Sacramento River. His wife and daughter
were thc first white female Inhabitants in the city
Of Sacramento, now the scat Of government OF
California. lie became member Of The FIRST Lo-
gsl1ure Of the State was also Speaker o. tho lrtt
House Of Representatives, mad in 1851, at the same
time that his brother William was elected Gov
cruor OF Pcnnsylvanhl, he became the fret Gov
crnOr OF California under the State Constitution. |
In 1853 hC was reelected Governor, and In 1865 I
he was defeated Tor a tiirl term By the power Of
the Know Nothing Organization. In 1857 he was
appoutcd Minister Pienipotcntiary 10 Dc Chill, I.
where Aorcmanod until the summer Of sci when /
he relieved by successor and returned to his
home iu Sacramento, California, where ever since |
he remained in private life except two years Of
service as one Of the commissioners to oversee the
construction Of The Pacific Railroad. He was also
repeatedly nominated aud run for Congress, and |
attended an the National Conventions and contin-
ucl to edit the State RPo'terso long as his health
would permit.
The most marked characteristic Of the deceased |
was a clear forecast Of coming events, dauniloss
moral courage and ceaseless diligence in whatever
he undertook. In business matters, it was his
misfortune to believe everything that any one said
to him who claimed to be his friend.
While on this side of the mountains his death |
win be dropped with a single remark, on the Pa
cidc side many stalwart pioneer will shed tears
over the death Of one who had been a companion |
in pinching times and had always divided with /
him what little he had.
Peace to the ashes Of John Bigler.