The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-12

Clearfield, Pa, August 9.-Ex-Gov-
ernor Bigler died this morning at 9
o'clock.
BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
William Bigler was born at Sher-
mansburg, Cumberland county, Penn
sylvania, in December, 1913. His pa
rents were of German extraction, and
whilst he was very young they re-
moved to Mercer county, having pur-
chased a large tract of land there.
The title of this land, however, proved
defective, and they lost all but a small
farm. This reverse of fortune so af-
fected the father that he died of grief
leaving his wife to bring up family
of nine children.
In 1890, after receiving moderate
education, young William entered the
printing office of his brother John, at
Bellefoute, Pa. From this office was
issued the Centre Democrat news
paper, and he remained in it until 1888
when, by the advice of his friends,
he removed to Clearfield There he
commenced the publication of the
Clearfield Democrat, which he CON
tinucd to manage until the year 1886,
when he was married to Maria j.,
daughter of Alexander b. Reed, and
by whom he had five sons, three of
whom are living. After disposing of
the Democrat he entered into the lum-
Der business, in connection with his
tather-inlaw. He was very success
full in this enterprise, being, in the
year 1850, the largest producer Of lum-
Der on the west bank of the Susque-
hanna. Previous to this, in 1911, he
was nominated to the state senate,
aud was elected by majority of over
5000, having received every vote but
one in ClearfieId county. In 1913 he
was elected speaker of the senate; WAS
reelected in the session of 1874, and ia
the following October was returned to
the senate for a second term, although
he had repeatedly declined the nom
ination. In 1913 he was brought for.
ward as one OF the Democratic nomi-
nees for the governorship but was de
featcd by Morris LOngstreth, who also
suffered defeat mt the election. In
1919 he was appointed one of the rev.
Cnue commissioners, whose duty it
was to adjust the amount of taxation
to be raised in the different sections
and counties of the state. In 1851 he
was nominated by acclamation by the
Democrats for the govcrnurship, and
after a canvass which was warmly
contested he was elected by large
majority. 1t is worthy of note, at the
same time his brother John RigIer,
was elected governor of the state of
California. in March, 1854. he was
again unanimously nominated 10y the
Democrats a. their candidate for gov
ernor, but this time was defeated by a
large majority by the candidate of the
Native American party. In Janu-
AIRY, l655, at the expiration Of his term /
as governor, he WAS elected to the
presidency of the Philadclphia and
Ilie railroad, and at the same time
was elected to represent the
state of Pennsylvania in the United
States scnutC,in which body he served
for six years and took quite prom
inent part in all its proceedings being
on several important committees.
In 1861 he was one OF the delegates (
to the convention that nominated |
General George b. Mcclellan for the
presidency. lie was elected in June, |
1873, by the Democratic delegates, Il |
member Of the constitutional Conven- /
tion for rCmoGCling the laws of the |
state, to succeed the Hon. :. IL. Rryn- |
Olds, WHO had rendered bis resignation |
and about the same time he became Il
member OF the United States centcn-
NAL commission, TO which body his |
-erViCCs We're very valuable. lie had |
entire charge Of the centennial matters |
IN New York city, and through his
efforts Il number of large subscriptions /
were obtained. In the Dcmocrptic !
stale convention Of 1875, held al Erie, /
ne was candidate for the nomination
Of governor, but the choice fell upon
Judge Cyrus J.. Pcrshing.
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List Of Jurors.