We come today to observe the funeral rites of a man: a manly man, an intellectual man, a religious man; a man who became a Christian Minister; a man whose humility, integrity and piety were never questioned. This, we know, is saying much of a fellow mortal, when the liabilities to do wrong are so great. Have you not thought, dear friends, that god has made preparations for man to live on the earth and get ready for heaven? For him he created this globe; for him the birds sing, and flowers bloom; for him the sun shines and the rain falls; for him food, raiment, and air are given; for the aerials grow, fruits ripen; for him the earth yields the rich treasures of gold and silver and other precious metals. No shining sun or sparkling diamond like man in point of value. man only is conscious. The sun has no intellect, the diamond cannot feel. Man has intellect and conscience and the power to translate these thoughts and feelings into the language of living deeds. This man's life may be made like unto the life of Christ, who has redeemed it from the curse of the law. In the superior life of Christ every Christian virtue is enthroned. These also may crown our lives, for he is our example. As we turn to the life before us, how the momentous thought of a manly life rises before us --- unfathomable, divine. There was a time when this life did not exist, but it came to be in the providence of god. There was the dawn of its history; we may behold its noonday of brilliancy. now we see its setting sun. Alas! alas! says one, Is this all of life? No, we answer. By the silent and fixed law of human influence, under Divine supervision, this life is connected with the dim distant past; it grappled with the present nearly three score and ten, and is indisputably connected with the uncertain future. It means something to live therefore. Life with its individuality and close upon this, its responsibilities of home, church and community; life with its conflict, bruises and dangers. "Is such a life worth the having". Why these thoughts, feelings and possibilities?............
Andrew F. Bigelow was born in Plattsburgh, March 18th, 1824 and died Sept. 20th, 1887, in the 64th year of his age. When three years old he moved with his parents to Bangor. in early life he evinced a love for knowledge. At 14 years he availed himself of the best possible advantages within his reach for an education. He then began attending the Malone Academy, where he made the record of diligent student and was then acknowledged as the brightest in the school, as some now living can testify. Like many of 50 years ago he worked his way. It is found now that it is better to work one's way then to have it worked for him, as he only is worthy of success who pays the price. Andrew F. Bigelow began teaching district schools at 15 years of age and continued it for 5 winters. His mind was of a high order. It dwelt upon questions abstract and fundemental. He excelled in mathematics. Such an order of mind is rare , although.
This was a document I found in the Potsdam, NY LDS Genealogy center
Notes: Mary Ruth JUDD has contributed most of this material, and it is through her early research that I first became aware of James and Lucretia BIGELOW. I visited the Potsdam LDS Genealogy Research Center in 1994 and found a small file folder with this among other stuff.
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
