15923.63 Timothy L. 7 Bigelow, son of Timothy 6 (Isaac 5 , Isaac 4, Isaac 3, Samuel 2, John 1 ) and Polly (WILSON) Bigelow, was born at Williamstown, Orange, VT on 20 December 1794. The family early migrated to Portage county, OH settling near Palmyra. He married (1)13 March 1817 at Palmyra, with his father officiating, Annis Ruggles. She could have been born at New Milford, Litchfield, CT but records aren't clear. She died 05 November 1823 and he married (2)18 May 1826 Almira Lord who was the daughter of Ichabod and Rebecca (Carley) Lord (see below), and born 21 December 1804 at Brookfield, Orange co, VT. Almira, or Elmira, died 10 January 1863 at Port Byron, Rock Island, IL. She is buried there, in Cordova township, with members of her family. Timothy and his family lived Shalersville, OH until the 1830's when they moved to Camanche tounship, Clinton, IA. Timothy was a skilled smith and metalworker. Due to the shortage of coins on the frontier, he established the "Bigelow Mint", and turned out hard currency. This was against the law, however, and in 1847 he was sentenced to federal prison. In 1850, he was enumerated at Alton State Prison, Madison county, IL while his wife was living in Rock Island, IL where she again was enumerated in 1860 and he was in a prison in Chicago. (Family tradition says that during the Civil War, Timothy L. was on parole and worked for the U.S. Mint in Denver, but the mint did not exist then and no proof has been found of this event). Timothy died in the Chicago prison in June 1863 and was buried in a potter's field next to the prison. Tradition says Timothy had 4 children by his first wife. Reconstructing the family from probate, land records, census, cemetery records and other legal documents, we present the following as his family:
Children of Timothy and Annis (Ruggles) Bigelow, born at Palmyra, OH:
15923.631t Timothy III, b 08 March 1818 Shalesville, Portage, OH; d 26 April 1891 Second Mace, Custer, CO; m 24 Nov 1842 Elizabeth Bacon; 8 children.
15923.632 Lorenzo, b 1819 Shalesville; d 03 June 1860 Camanche, IA in a tornado; m Minerva Wing.
15923.633 Harriet R., b 18 April 1820 Shalesville; d 24 Feb 1851 Cordova. Rock Island, IL; m 13 Feb 1841 Clinton co., IA Chauncey Tripp. (see below)
15923.634 a dgtr., b ca 1823;
possibly the Almira who, in 1847, m Wm. Hoffman in Clinton co., IA.
Children of Timothy and Almira (Lord) Bigelow:
15923.635t Dexter W., b 09 Oct 1827 Shalesville; d 22 March 1862 Port Byron, IL; m 04 Sept 1856 Sarah Rathburn; 3 children.
15923.636 Ascelia, b ca 1833; d 07 May 1917 in Hingham, Hill co, MT; m 01 Feb 1851 Solomon Knickerbocker; in 1870 and in Whiteside co., IL she receipted for her share of her inheritance after her parents' death. (see below)
15923.637 Mary L., b 31 Jan 1835 Xenia, Portage, OH; d 08 Oct 1906 Hotch City, Lyman, SD; m 05 May 1850 Gabriel Armstrong. (see below)
15923.638 Henry D., b 16 Dec 1839 Scott co., IA; d 05 April 1850 and buried Cordova, Rock Island, IL. (see below)
15923.639 Eugene L., b 26 Oct 1846 Clinton co., IA; d 18 Aug 1909 Albany, Whiteside, IL; m (1) 04 Sept 1867 Lucy Folsom, she died age 22, 29 Sept 1867; (2)08 May 1875 Mary L. Ellis, (3)16 Dec 1886 Rebecca Duncan and (4)08 March 1906 Mrs. Evalyn J. ( __ )WiIbur Bigelow. (see below)
Also daughter Clarissa see private
Buried with the Bigelows, in Cordova township, is "Allie D. Bigelow, died
09 Jan 1880, ae 3y 1mo 10 das, dgtr of J. & A. Bigelow". (Joseph 9 Bigelow (15923.6312)
and Almeda).
Of further interest: Penitentiary records, Madison Co., IL: "Bidgelow,
Timothy, 1847 (probable date he started to serve time), age 45, blacksmith,
b VT., crime: Receiving stolen goods".
On 1860 census: "Elmira, head of house; Timothy in jail - counterfeiting
coin".
as given in Timothy's bio., above, compiled by Bigelow Society historian/genealogist's
records.
Sources:
The Bigelow Family Genealogy Vol. II Page 136-137;
More on Timothy L.:
Buried with Timothy L. and wives in Cordoba Twp, Rock Island co, IL is
Allie D. Bigelow (R-16716) who died 09 Jan 1880 age 3 years 1 mo. 10 days,
daughter of J. and A. Bigelow (Joseph (15923.6312) R-16714 and Almeda R-16715.
cemetery photos and records: (see below)
http://cordova.lib.il.us//surname_b.htm
Elmira, wife of T.L. Bigelow; died; Jan.
10, 1863; AGED 58 yrs, 20d.
Note from descendant:
Kimberly Schwieren-VanHise email
kvanhise@orednet.org
From: Burns, Oregon
I noticed there was not a lot of information on my line of Bigelow's
Timothy Bigelow married to Almira Lord and their descendants. I have some
information that I would like to share. Is there someone to send it to?
I am sending my check to join the Bigelow Society. I would like to try and
make my records as complete as possible. Thank-you, Kimberly
Note6:
Author: Gretchen Lowe
Email: gdlowe@inxpress.net
Date: 18 Jan 2001 6:15 PM GMT
Rod. I don't know if our ancestors match up or not. My great grandfather
Solomon Knickerbocker married Acelia Bigelow in Rock Island Co. Il. 1851.
Her parents were Timothy Bigelow and Almira Lord. Their children(Acelia and
her 6 siblings were born in Shalersville, Portage Co. Ohio. Timothy Bigelow
was christened in 1794 and census records record his birthplace as Vermont.
Hope this helps. Gretchen
MORE:
Ascelia BIGELOW/Solomon KNICKERBOCKER, Jr.
Author: Kimberly Schwieren
Date: 30 Dec 2001 5:57 PM GMT
Searching for more information on Ascelia BIGELOW b. November 16,
1833, Shalersville, Portage County, OH; married Solomon Knickerbocker,
Jr. February 1, 1851 in Rock Island, IL. Solomon b. December 26,
1829 in NY, died August 23, 1906 in Sampson, Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Three known children:
Charles Blair Knickerbocker b. 1863 in Cordova, Rock Island County,
IL; died April 1896 in Bloomer(?)
Diedrick Dexter Weston Knickerbocker
Rose A. Knickerbocker.
Ascelia died May 7, 1917 in Hingham, Hill County, MT
Thank you.
In Reply to: Re: Ascelia BIGELOW/Solomon KNICKERBOCKER, Jr. by: Kim Schwieren
Kim. I think we may have already exchanged information
on Acelia Bigelow. I looked back in the post messages and found an old one
I responded
to. Nevertheless, here is the info I have. Acelia E. Bigelow was
b. 11/16/1823. Her parents were Timothy Bigelow and Almira Lord. Her siblings
were Dexter Weston(she named her first child after this brother)married
Sarah Ann Rathburn, Mary who married Gabrieal Armstrong; Lorenzo,
Harriet, Henry, Eugene married Lucy Folsom, Mary Elles, Rebecca
Duncan and Eva Wilbur. Acelia's children by Solomon Knickerbocker were
Dexter b. 1859 married Clarissa Shipman 1883 died 1917 Hingham
MT; Charles Blair b. 1852 married Anna Stoda 1883 died 1917 Wisconsin;
Rose married Fred Beekin 1876 died 1937 Nebraska.
Dexter married Clara or Clarissa Shipman (most information about her has
eluded me. They had 4 children: Claude Roy (my grandfather)
married Selma Nyre. They had 4 sons and 2 daughters. Claude died in Shelby
MT abt 1964; Ada b. 1885 married Orvis Bell. They had one
daughter. Ada died in 1906 and is buried in Chippewa County; Edna(Bee)
married William Moots, moved to Goldstone MT. They had no
children; Carl b. 1897 married Lulu Boettger. They had 3 sons. Carl died
in California 1934 of Scarlet Fever.
I hope this helps some! The information on the oldest Solomon has been
difficult for all of us to find so far. I thought I found a clue, but can't
verify it.
Good luck hunting!
Paula Knickerbocker Pinder
Ascelia BIGELOW b 16 November 1833, Shalersville, Portage co, OH, daughter
of Timothy L. BIGELOW and Elmira LORD, married Solomon
Knickerbocker, Jr on 01 Feb. 1851 at Rock Island, IL. (Solomon, b 26
December 1829 in NY, died 23 August 1906 in Sampson, Chippewa co, WI.)
Ascelia died May 7, 1917 in Hingham, Hill County, MT
Three known children:
a. Charles Blair Knickerbocker born 1863 in Cordova, Rock Island County,
IL; died April 1896 in Bloomer(?)
b. Diedrick Dexter Weston Knickerbocker, b ____ ; d ____ ;
c. Rose A. Knickerbocker married Frederick Beeken 18 Jun 1876
Thank you. Kimberly
More:
Ichabod LORD born May 9, 1763, in MA; Revolutionary War soldier;
married Rebecca (Rebekah) Carley born April 18, 1764 in MA; both are
buried in Shalersville, Portage County, Ohio, along with son Ichabod.
10 children:
Amarilla b. 1786; married Roswell Waldo
Orasha born November 22, 1787
Leanther born February 4, 1790
Sarah born June 10, 1792; married Ephraim Robinson
Philena born November 1, 1794; married Phineas Pollis
Alanson born November 25, 1796
Ichabod born April 10, 1799; married Mary Smith
Reuben Chamberlain born June 27, 1802; married Julia Risby
Elmira born December 21, 1804; married Timothy Bigelow
David born September 30, 1808; married Susan Smith
ksvanhise@centurytel.net
1st Wife Lucy FOLSOM married 08 Sept. 1867 in Rock Island County, IL
2nd Wife Mary Emma ELLIS(died 12 Feb 1884) married 08 May 1875
3rd Wife Rebecca DUNCAN (b. abt 1857, died 26 Feb. 1895)
married 16 January 1886 in Clinton, Clinton Co., IA
3 known children:
Inez BIGELOW b. 1887 in Albany, Whiteside Co., IL married Owen W. LUDWICK
Oliver M. BIGELOW b. 1889 d. 1943
Walter R. BIGELOW McMANN b. 16 Feb. 1895, d. 1959; married Lucille WARNER in 1924.
After Rebecca died following the birth of Walter R. BIGELOW, Walter
was adopted by Rebecca's sister
and her husband and took the name McMANN.
Would like to share further information and fill in missing pieces
on this family.
Trying to find out if Annie, Rinmah/Rivamae/James W. are Harriet's
children for sure.
Thank you
Cemetery Records: Cordova Township Cemetery;
Rock Is co, IL
Last Name First Name DOB DOD
Section Block Lot Grave Stone
BIGELOW (INFANT SON) 1862 1862 B
21 3 2
BIGELOW AMMI R. 1856 1911
B 21 3
5
BIGELOW DEXTER W. 1827 1862
B 21 3 3
BIGELOW ELMIRA 1804
1863 A 3 4
1
BIGELOW HENRY D. 1841 1851
A 3 4
3
BIGELOW LUCIE M. 1845 1867
A 3 4
2
BIGELOW SARAH A. 1841 1905
B 21 3
4
From Big Soc Lib files
Timothy Bigelow, Blacksmith and Counterfeiter
The District Court records comprising the counties
of Jackson, Dubuque, Scott and Clayton, the Second Judicial District of the
Territory of Iowa, has as an entry of 13 October, 1840, the following: "the
Prosecuting Attorney moves the Court in the case of the United States against
Timothy Bigelow, for a scire facias against the defendant, to show cause
why his recognizance should not be forfeited I* (Bigelow had been indicted
for forgery of United States coins. He, however, appeared in court and the
default was set aside).
Who was this Timothy? He was the son of Timothy
,(Isaac , Isaac , Isaac , Samuel , John ). Timothy L. was born in Williamstown,
Vt., 20 December, 1794. He married (1) Annis Ruggles on 13 March, 1817,
in Palmyra, Ohio. They had four children when she died. He married (2) 18
May, 1826, Almira Lord. Timothy L. and Almira also had 4 children.
"One of the first manufacturing enterprises in Clinton
County, Iowa, was that of Timothy's after he moved there from Ohio. It was
Bigelow*s Mint and here hard money was coined in large quantities and distributed
in every direction. So great was the demand for coin, and such the
briskness of business at this mint at one time, that the workman confiscated
the machinery of a small grist mill on Mill Creek, with which to increase
the facilities and capacity of their insitution,
"Tim Bigelow*s money was very well executed and
circulated quite current. In many places it was quite as current as much
of the Eastern currency, wild-cat bills,and was about equally as good. Such,
however, was the pressure on the Democratic party in Iowa at this time against
"Banks of Issue", that the mint was forced to suspend operations. Timothy
was driven from his stronghold, for he had previously made a fortress of
his house the upper story being pierced with loopholes for musketry, determined
to defend himself to the last. He was forced to capitulate by a posse of
regulators; his old blacksmith shop (the mint), was demolished and he was
threatened with dire vengeance if he ever showed himself in this part of
the county again".
"Other informants give us the following statements
in regard to Bigelow and his mint. The first telegraph in this part of the
country was probably erected in this county (Clinton). Bigelow, who was a
"hard-money" man and whose coin went current - even in the land office, and
with which many acres of land in this county are said to have been paid for,
had his "mint" in a log house situated in Riverside, below where Davis's
lime kiln now (1879) now stands. Near where the present railroad bridge now
reaches the shore, there was a bridge across the slough on the road between
Lyons and Camanche. Another bridge crossed Mill Creek near the present site
(again, 1879) of the Mill Creek bridge..
"From each of the bridges a wire was extended to
the "mint", so arranged that anyone passing over would ring a bell at the
house, upon which labor was suspended, tools carefully laid aside and the
artisans at once became agriculturists and assiduously devoted themselves
to the labors of the farm.
(Timothy)
"It is said that this bogus coin was so well executed
that much of it passed current at the land office and was paid out with other
coin at the land sales.
"There were several stations along the Mississippi in those early days, where
sporting gentlemen stopped to trade horses and other property. They were
asked no questions, supplied with coin and creature comfort and passed on
their course of dissipation and crime. The "Bigelow Mint" was one of these
stations". (All of the foregoing from: Allen's History of Clinton County
(Iowa), 1879).
To continue further we find in the Penitentiary
Records of Madison County, Illinois, "Bigelow, Timothy, 1847, (Probable date
he started to serve his sentence), age 45, blacksmith, b. VT., crime: receiving
stolen goods".
On 1860 censust "Elmira, head of house, Timothy in jail, counterfeiting coin".
(In addition to the above mentioned book, Mr. Jay Terry, Concord, Calif.,
has done considerable research in this line. Said Timothy (7) was an ancestor).
< rodbigelow@netzero.net > 
