January 1998 FORGE: The Bigelow Society Quarterly Vol. 27, No 1


Sarah Louise (Barrows) and Eliakim 8 Bigelow
Golden Wedding Anniversary
( Jonathan Brooks 7, Jonathan 6  ,John 5 , John 4 , Joshua 3, Joshua 2, John 1)

The following newspaper clipping was submitted by Billie Bigelow Hayes, Montpelier, VT. It is dated Wednesday, April 14, 1915 and was in all likelihood published in the local Stowe VT newspaper. Billie writes, "I remember A ddie, Annie and Susan, but never heard much about Dr. Edwin Bigelow. I assume he never married either, so no grandchildren from all these children. I have a gold ring in the box, with Addie, Annie, and Susie's names on it, so I think it's gold Eliakim brought home from Cahfornia."

Celebrate Their Golden Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Eliakim Bigelow Celebrate Great Event Monday, April 12, 1915, at their Home in Stowe.

     Mr. and Mrs. Eliakim Bigelow gave a recep­tion at their home on West Branch Monday afternoon, the event being in honor of the golden wedding anniversary of that worthy couple. About 75 friends and relatives were present and many cards, letters and telegrams of congratulation were received from absent friends. The gifts of gold were numerous, there being separate gold pieces from the West Branch and Stowe Village communities, also a large number of gold coins from relatives and personal friends. Carnations were used in the decorations of the parlor and living room and the dining room was appropriately trimmed in gold and white, the center­piece being jonquils. Refreshments of ice cream and cake were served by the Misses Elvira and Mildred Gale and Daisy Magoon.
     Eliakim Bigelow, who was one of 10 children of Jonathan B. and Relief Newell Bigelow, was born in Conway, Mass. on June 18, 1831. He came to Stowe with his parents in 1840 and in early life went to Boston where he was employed for several years in the shoe store of his brother, Jonathan. In 1852 he went to California by way of the Isthmus which was crossed by steamer up the Chagres River and the remaining distance on foot. Mr. Bigelow was engaged in mining in Eldorado two and one-half years and devoted a year and a half in Permisso Valley near Francisco to the occupation of farming, returning by way of the Isthmus, then crossed by railroad in 1856. He afterward spent a year on a farm near Milwaukee, Wis., and returned to Stowe in 1858, entering the employ of Zacheus Handy.
     He was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Sarah Jane Handy, daughter of Mr. Handy, and to this union were born three children, of whom two daughters survive. They are Miss Mary J. Bigelow, who has a position as teacher in Salem, Mass., and Miss Addie Bigelow, an instructor in the Orphans' home at Franklin, N. H. Mrs. Bigelow died in 1864 and Mr. Bigelow continued to reside on the Handy farm until 1901, a period of 42 years.
     On April 12, 1865 Mr. Bigelow was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Louise Barrows, one of a family of 10 children of Captain Ebenezer and Sarah Russell Barrows. The marriage ceremony was performed at the home of the bride, the farm in Morristown now owned by Ld. E. Bliss, and the Rev. Mr. Cox of Morristown officiated at the service. Mrs. Bigelow was born Sept. 25, 1841 on the Wilkins farm adjoining the Handy farm and spent her life previous to her marriage in Stowe and Morristown. Only two of the children born to this union survive, Miss Anna L. Bigelow, who makes her home with her parents, and Miss Susan A. Bigelow, a successful teacher in the primary department of the Stowe graded school for the past 15 years. Their oldest daughter, Sarah R., died about 27 years ago and a son, Dr. Edwin P. Bigelow, a graduate of the University of Vermont Medical College and for several years a practicing physician in Wolcott, died in 1905. Another child died in infancy.
     Mr. Bigelow has a sister, Mrs. P. W. Peterson of Milwaukee, Wis., also three brothers, Edwin R. Bigelow of Stowe, Walter K. Bigelow and Alvah H. Bigelow of Salem, Mass. The late Newell Bigelow of Stowe was his next youngest brother. Mrs. Bigelow has two brothers, R. E. Barrows of Morrisville and Charles O. Barrows of Johnson.
     Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow are among Stowe's best known and highly esteemed residents and both are members of Mansfield Mountain Grange. They have been regular attendants of the West Branch church for many years and have taken much interest in its activities. Mr. Bigelow has followed the occupation of farming practically all of his life and is regarded as one of Stowe's most successful farmers, and one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of the town. He represented the town in the legislature of 18??[unable to read]- 1895 and shows a keen interest in political affairs, being especially interested in everything tending to promote the welfare of the town.
     Among those from out of town who were present were: Miss Mary Bigelow of Danvers, Mass., Miss Addie Bigelow of Franklin, N. H., W. K. Bigelow of Salem, Mass., Arthur Bigelow and family of Middlesex, Lawrence Bigelow of New London, Conn., R. E. Barrows, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Barrows and Miss Belle Barrows of Morrisville.

The following excellent poem was written for the occasion by Mrs. Mary A. Jenney of Stowe:
[There follows a long poem appropriate to the occasion.]
Stowe, Vt., April 12, 1915.


Modified - 05/29/2003
(c) Copyright 2003 Bigelow Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Rod  Bigelow - Director
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Rod Bigelow (Roger Jon12 BIGELOW)

P.O. Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
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