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 24 Dec 1860 Marlborough, MA; m 23 June 1886, George A. Stevens; res. Worcester. A
George A. Stevens buried in Hope Cemetery, b Pittsburgh, PA; d 05 Jan
1919 Worcester of influenza at age of 44 (son of Otto and Anna (Werner)
Stevens (see below)
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 > 
