Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-12
NO. 33.


DEATH oP Ex-GovEESoR WILLIAM
BiGLEg.-A telegram TO Ex-Gov. Curtin,
on Monday, announced the death Of Ex-
Gov. WIN. Bigler, which sorrowful event
occurred at his residence in the borough Of
ClearBeld, at about nine o'clock that morn
ing Gov. Bigler was we'll known in
Centre county. At one time he lived in
Bellefonte, learning the trade Of a printer
In the Office OF his brother, John Bigler,
who at that time was the editor and pub
Usher of the Centre Democrat Whilst
resident Of Belefonte William Bigler
formed many warm friendships and pleas
ant associations which lasted throughout
his active, honorable and useful life, except
ms the years grew apace and one friend
after another would drop by the wayside
and pass 10 another world. He always es-
teemed ii a great pleasure TO visit Belle
fonte and was ever favorite with our
people, and nowhere will more profound
sorrow be felt for bis death than In Centre
county. He had been in feeble health for
some time and bis death was expected.
His funeral took place yesterday, and
amongst those Of our citizens who went 70
Clearfeld 10 pay the last tribute Of respect
10 his honored remains, we noticed EK-
Gov. Curtin, S. T. Shugert, of the DEMo-
Graf, and p. Gray Meek, Of the Watehmaa.
The following sketch Of his life we take
from the Harrisburg Patriot:
William Bigler was born at Shermans-
burg, Cumberland county, Pa, in Decem-
ber, 1873. His parents were of German
extraction, and whilst he was very young
\ they removed 20 Mercer county, having
I purchased large tract Of land there The
/ title Of this land, however, proved defect
| i've, and they lost all but q small farm.
/ This reverse of fortune 50 affected the faith
er that he died Of grief, leaving his wife 10
bring up family Of nine children.
| In 1890, after receiving q moderate edu-
cation, young William entered the PRINT
/ ing Office Of his brother John, at Bellefonte,
/ Pa. From this Office was issued the
| Centre Democrat Newspaper, and remained
in IL until 1888, when, by the advice
Of bis friends, he removed 10 Clearfeld.
There be commenced the publication of
the ClcArfeld Democrat, which he continu-
ed 10 manage until the year 1896, when he
was married 10 Maria j., daughter Of
Alexander b. Reed, and by whom he had
Ave sons, three Of whom are living. After
disposing Of the Democrat be entered into
the lumber business, in connection with
his fAfher-in-isw. He was very successful
In this enterprise, being, in the year 1860,
the largest producer of lumber on the west
I hank rf shn Exsau,smAa~~.
this, In Is4l, be was nominated 20 the State
senate, and was elected by a majority of
over 1900, having received every vote but
one in Clearfeld county. In 1sl3 he was
elected Speaker Of the Senate; Was re-elect-
ed In the session Of 1874, and in the follow
ing October was returned TO the Senate
for second term, although be had repeat
edly declined the nomination. In ls4s he
was brought forward as one Of the demo-
cratic nominees for the governorship, but
was defeated by Morris Longstreth, who
also suffered defeat at the election. In
lS49 he was appointed one of the revenue
commissioners, whose duty ii was 10 adjust
the amount Of taxation 10 be raised in the
different sections and counties in the State.
In 1851 be was nominated by acclAmation
by the democrats for the governorship,
and after canvass which was warmly
contested he was elected by = large mAjori-
ty. II is worthy Of note, al the same timo
bis brother, John Bigler, was elected Gov
ernor Of the state Of California In March
1854, be was sgain unanimously nominat-
ed by the democrats "a their candidate for
governor, but this time was defeated BY a
large majority by the candidate of tho
Native American party. In January,
1882, at the piration of his term as gov
ernor, he wal elected the president Of the
Philadelphia and Erie railroad, and At the
same time was elected TO represent the
state Of Pennsylvania In the United States
senate, in which body he served for six
years, and took quite a prominent part in
all its proceedings, being on several im-
portAnt committees.
In 1864 be was one of the delegates TO
the convention that nominated General
George II. Mcclellan for the Presidency.
He was elected In June, 1873, by The deua-
ocratic delegates, . member Of the consti-
tutional convention for remodeling the
laws Of the state, 10 succeed the Hon. s.
II. Reynolds, who had rendered his resig-
nation, and about the same time he became
q member of the United States centennial
commission, 10 which body HE services
were very valuable. He had entire charge
of the centennial matters in New York
city, and through his efforts 9 number Of
large subscriptions were obtained. In the
democratic convention Of 1875, held at
Erie, he was . candidate for the nomina-
tion Of governor, but the choice fell upon
Judge Cyrus l.. Pershing.