1603-3024. HORACE H. BIGELOW, was born in Marlborough, Mass., June 2, 1827,
and was the son of Levi and Nancy (Ames) Bigelow. Like most New England boys,
his education was confined to the public schools, and what they could do
for him up to the age of fifteen, when he began the struggle for mastery with
fate, by deliberately choosing the bench of the shoemaker for his start in
business life. The spirit of the boy was not much different from that displayed
in later years, for it was not long before his natural mechanical and inventive
endowments began to carve for him that larger career that finally won for
him so high a place among his fellows. Naturally, his inventive genius turned
in the direction of boot and shoe manufacture, and it was not surprising
that at a comparatively early age he was the acknowledged inventor of the
heel pressing and nailing machines, from which he has deservedly won a large
fortune. Of course shoe manufacturing was the early dream of the young mechanic
and inventor, and he soon found his way into the active work that this important
industry entails. His ventures were not confined to Worcester or the
State of Massachusetts, for the records place him in Providence, R. I., in
various cities in New York, New Jersey, and in Worcester in 1863. One of
the daring acts of his business career was the organizing the prison labor
of several State prisons, and in an incredibly short time setting hundreds
of men at work to supply the demands suddenly forced upon him. In 1870 he
withdrew from the active personal care of manufacturing interests and plunged
into other equally absorbing cares with the wisdom and energy that had hitherto
characterized him.
Securing control of the Worcester & Shrewsbury
railroad, and a large portion of the real estate at Lake Quinsigamond, he
began at once the wise development of both, and has already accomplished wonders
in the development of the most lovely section of our State. As President
of the railroad he at once provided steel rails, newer and better engines
and cars, built a pretty station at the lake, and with car houses and gradings
expended thousands of dollars, every one of which, in no uncertain sense,
resulting in positive good to our entire city. At the Lake he has created
the charming village of Lake View, and he has made it possible for any thrifty
young man to own a house for himself and' dear ones. While busy with these
important enterprises, he kept others of equal magnitude well in hand. The
Bullard Rifle Co. of Springfield, Mass., is indebted to him for its establishment.
The Electric Power Co. has him for a strong arm to lean upon, and the list
might be extended greatly in the simple enumeration of the various interests
that claim his care and attention. As a business man he has thc proud record
of achieving whatever he undertakes, and of never tiring or giving up until
the end is reached and his purpose accomplished. As a man the name of H.
H. Bigelow will ever be associated with unceasing efforts to help his fellows,
and with a persistent and unflagging purpose to stand by the unfortunate.
The right to free speech is sacred in his eyes, and to maintain it in the
person of one who was unjustly oppressed, he did not hesitate a moment to
spend freely thousands of dollars. No man is more generous to a vanquished
opponent, revenge never enters into his battle against wrong; it is that
right should prevail he struggles, that attained, he holds out both hands
in warm friendship. With Hon. Edward L. Davis he has given the City of Worcester
one hundred and ten acres for a Lake Park, and is a generous supporter of
all good enterprises.
He consummated the largest real estate purchase ever made within the city
proper. The vast tract of land formerly used for railroad purposes lying
east of Main, between Mechanic and Foster Streets, and covering one hundred
and fifteen thousand square feet, he bought and has held inviolate for the
purpose of erecting thereon the finest building devoted to business purposes,
not alone in this county or State, but in New England. With the purchase
of this land there came into his hands the large building known as a Skating Rink. At that time this form of amusement
was but little enjoyed; by a wise policy of low prices, band concerts and
various attractions offered from time to time, he was able to furnish pleasant
amusement to thousands at a cost that whole families could afford to pay.
And from his success in this direction sprang the craze that swept like a
prairie fire throughout the land. His only purpose in allowing the Rink to
be run was to give the people pleasant amusement at a low cost.
As a man of liberal and generous views, the friend of all worthy enterprises,
the defender of the poor and friendless, the helper of the deserving, and
the persistent and clear headed man of large affairs, H. H. Bigelow is indelibly
associated.
He married, Jan. 22, 1852, Lucy .Ann Howe, daughter of Thomas and Patty Howe.
She died Sept. 25, 1857. He married second, June 1, 1859, Adelaide E. Buck
of Portland, Conn.
Children:
4452. ADELAIDE FRANCES, b. in Marlborough, Mass., Dec. 24,
1860; m June 23, 1886, George A. Stevens; res. Worcester.
4453.t IRVING E., b. in Trenton, N. J., Nov. 11, 1862; m. Nov. 17,
1887, Lillian A. Drennan of Worcester.
4454. FRANK H., b. in Worcester, Feb. 8, 1875.
Source:
Howe, Bigelow Family of America; p 412 plate^;
also see:
Horace Holly page 1
Horace Holly page 3 Forge "The Bigelow Society
Quarterly; April & July 1991; vol 30, no 2 & 3
and:
http://bigelowsociety.com/Horace_Holly_Bigelow.html
Thought you might enjoy this Easter postcard
from my Great Great Grandfather Horace Holly Bigelow of Worcester, Massachusetts.
He had several rinks, so I'm not sure if this is from a particular one, or
if it was "generic" for use by all. Don
< rodbigelow@netzero.net > 
