Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-18
Mrs. Elvira Howe 6iaeIow.

| information has been received in
this city of the death at the home OF
| her daughter in Fargo. North Dakota
Iof Mrs. Elvira Howe Bigelow, widow
of the late William II, Bigelow of Au-
austa. Mrs. Bigelow had a great many
| friends in Augusta where she former
Inv lived and throughout the state ana
the news of her death will be learned
with regret by many people.
F,lyira Howe Bigelow was born In
Skowhegan, September 6, 1887. Her
father was a Baptist clergyman ana
her family was one of the most promi-
nent and best known among the Garner
SETTLERS of Somerset county. She was
descended from Revolutionary ances-
try on both her fathers and motner
sides of the house.
Mrs, Bigelow was educated IN tne
old Bloomfield academy at Skowhegan'
and taught school in several towns ny
Somerset county and numbered among
her nupils many boys and girls VINO
later i'm life won places of distinction
and prominence in this state and ma
tien. AT an early age she married
William H. Bigelow whose birthplace
was also in the town of Skawhegah
and who became one of the ieadersAo OF
the Republican party in Maine and at
tanned high standing in the state and
national councils of his party and held
positions in the federal SER
vice
Z Mr.. Bigelow, who married shortly
after his graduation frem Union col
lege in New York. taught school in
many places in Maine, was one of the.
states superihtendents of schools when
the county supervision system was in
operation and later removed to Bloom
ington. ILL.,, where he was admitted fe
the bar. Just before the outbreak OF
the Civil War Mr.. Bigelow moved with
his family to Vineland, n. j., where
he surveyed and had charge of the de-
veiepment of that town and acquired
considerable property.
4 When the Civil War broke out Mrs.
Bigeiew took the children and return
ed tsS Maine and Mr.. Bigelow offered
himself Jas a recruit for the navy in
which he served for three years until
the declaration of peace.
! When the war was over Mr.. BigeioW
returned to Maine to begin life over
again as a school teacher in Clinton
He was chosen representative from his
class and served in the Legislature of
which the late James G. Blaine was.
speaker of the House. There the foun-
fation for Mr.. Bigelow's friendship for
Mr. Blaine was laid and until the death
of that statesman Mr.. Bigelow re-
NAMED his most trusted and. loyal
friend.
Mrs. Bgelow was of great assistance
to her husband in his political career.
She was possessed of much literary
ability and wrote many poems and
short sketches and was the author O.
many articles for magazines and 9TH
er publications.
Failing health forced, Mrs, Bigelow
TO leave Portland for Florida Nnd aft
erwards for Los Angeles. California,
where she made many new friends and
more recently while making her home
with her daughter in Fargo, North Das
kota
Two sisters. Mrs. Charles Went
worth. now residing at Five Islands
and DR.. Sarah II. Morris of Santa
Monica. California, and brother, ID.
y. Stewart of Dover. y. H., also three
children, Mrs. EugeneflS. NeaIof Far
go, North Dakota, Mrs. Frederick Moi
felt of Hillsboro. New Mexico, and
Harry NJ. Bigeiow of Portland survive
Mrs. Bigelow's holy viii be brought 70
Maine for interment at Augusta where
the funeral will be held Sunday after
noon.