Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-08
JOHN BELL
BIGGER dead
His Death Occurred In Richmond
Yesterday.
a SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Began His Business Career a. Clerk
on Htcnmor aud Rnded it m
Clerk OF the House OF Delegates
An leo wnr on-Tne Now Me,ho-
dist OrphanaEe and Probable
Location.
Especial to virginian-Pilot.)

Richmond, Va. June 7.-Colonel John
Bell Bigger is dead.
This news will be received by thou
sands in Virginia and in other States
with sense Of personal loss.
The gallant ex-Confederate soldier
and faithful public official entered into
rest at 1880 o'clock this afternoon at his
home. No. 70S East Leigh street. in the
list year Of his age.
He was surrounded by his family as
he peacefully passed into the sleep that
knows no waking.
Colonel Bigger had been Ill for many
weeks, but had been confined to his
bed only for about fortnight, his in
domitable will having enabled him up
to that time to resist the inroads OF
the general debility and breaking up of
vital forces incident to age.
THE FUNERAL.
The uneral OF Colonel Bigger Will
take place Friday afternoon at 3
o'clock and the services will be held ut
Monumental Church.
The interment will be made at
Shockoe Hill cemetery
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Colonel Bigger was born In this city
March 3, 1929, and was educated in the
primary schools and academies here.
In 1852 he was appointed clerk to
Captain Thomas Crabbe. of the United
States war steamer San Jacinto, and
sailed in her on her first trip to the
Mediterranean sea; was afterwards
clerk to Commodore Morgan. of the
United States war flagship Independ-
ence, and returned to the United States
on her from Gibraltar. In 1855 he was
elected clerk Of the Committees on FL
nance and Claims of the House OF Del
egates, and continued In that service for
several sessions. In 1850 he was ap-
pointed by Governor Wise special mes
senger to obtain the presidential cleo
ton returns from Gilmer county; was
secretary OF the Southern Rights Asso-
citation prior to the war; secretary of
many Democratic State Conventions,
and Secretary of State and Executive
Democratic Committees; WAS elected
clerk to the Auditing Board Of Virgin
ia prior to her joining the Confederacy;
was commissioned lieutenant in the
Letcher Battery, and captain in the re-
served forces, but owing to physical
disability was unable to do field service.
from which he, however, was exempt
by virtue Of the official position he
held.
CLERK OF THE HOUSE.
On December 4. 1865. he was elected
Clerk of the House of Delegates and
served in that capacity until the session
OF 1S79-'SO, when his official head was
the forfeiture of his loyalty to the reg
ular Democratic organization. He was
twice removed from this office imme-
diately after the war by the military
general. whose usurping power over
District No. l decapitatcd all who would
not bow the knee to Baal. He served as
secretary of the Virginia Electoral
College in 1880 and again in 1884, and
was the bearer of the electoral vote or
Virginia for Hancock and English and
Cleveland and Hendricks, respectively,
to Washington city. and was secretary
of the Electoral College for Cleveland
and Stevenson. He was secretary of the
Virginia State Democratic Committee
during the canvass of 1894.
He married Annie b. Muse of the
county of Essex, youngest daughter OF
the late Samuel Muse. who served In
the war of 1912 with the rank of ma
jor. Twelve children blessed the union,
two of whom have been called to their
eternal home.
HIS DISTINGUISHED FATHER.
He was the son Of the late Colonel
Thomas b. and Elizabeth Meredith
bigger. The former waA born in Prince
Edward county, Va, and the latter in
New Kent county, Va. She was Miss
Russell. a relative of Lord John Rus
SELL Of England. In 1872 his father was
a the seige OF Foit Meigs. having en-
listed In Captain McRae's company.
known as the Petersburg Volunteers,
which company marched from Rich
mond city to Detroit, Mich. He de-
clinod promotion in the army, but
shared all the fortunes of the company.
which General William Harrison com
mended for their conduct on the field.
He was cnce captain OF the Richmond
Light Infantry Blues. one of the oldest
companies in the country. In 1914 he
was appointed postmaster of the city
OF Richmond. and continued in that Of
fce more than eighteen years. In 1863
he served as a member of the House OF
delegates from Richmond city. He
died In 1850. and was buried with mil
itary and Masonic honors.
AN ICE WAR.
Anything suggesting GOODNESS is most
welcome these days. when the calorinc
rays OF Old Sol are driving the animal
creation to desperation, and especially
enjoyable is the fact which now seems
apparent, that considerable GOODNESS
Yarn milk from the cow and