My Genealogy Hound

John Allen Bigelow. Few citizens of Oakland County are more entitled to the esteem of their fellow citizens, than is John Allen Bigelow, of Birmingham, whose intimate relations with the mercantile and political interests of the county, and whose gallant services to his country during the Civil War, have made his name a familiar one in this part of the State. Mr. Bigelow was born in 1839 in West Bloomfield township, Oakland County, Michigan, and is a son of the late Jotham and Esther S. (Montague) Bigelow.

Jotham Bigelow was born in New York, February 7, 1807, and was a son of Abel and Sarah (Clark) Bigelow, the former of whom was a Revolutionary soldier. Jotham accompanied his parents to Michigan, where they settled in West Bloomfield township, Oakland County. He married Esther S. Montague, who was born in 1817, and was a daughter of Elijah and Esther (McElwain) Montague, of New York. After this marriage in 1835, Jotham Bigelow and wife established themselves in the following year in West Bloomfield township and resided there 34 years, when they removed to Williamston, Ingham County, where both died, thoroughly respected in all the relations of life, kind neighbors and consistent members of the church. By trade Jotham Bigelow was a carpenter and builder. In politics he was a Whig in early life, and later became a Republican. The six children born to Jotham Bigelow and wife were: Mary, deceased; John Allen of this sketch; Augusta D.; Hamilton M.; Judson O.; and Amanda, deceased.

John Allen Bigelow had few educational advantages in his youth, the main part of his education having been secured after he was 17 years old, an accident at that time to his left hand making it impossible for him to either do carpenter work or till the land. After sufficiently fitting himself for the profession, he became a school teacher and continued as such until 1860, when he moved to Birmingham and accepted a clerkship with O. Poppleton, with whom he remained until April, 1861, going then to Franklin, where he embarked in a mercantile business for himself. In the following August, the martial spirit of his Revolutionary grandfather, and his own loyalty and patriotism, induced him to dispose of his store and to enlist in Company G, 1st Reg., Michigan Vol. Cav., then forming, going out as bugler. Mr. Bigelow remained with his regiment until the retreat of General Banks down the Shenandoah Valley. On May 23, 1862, he was made prisoner, at Winchester, Virginia; after 10 days, however, he managed to escape and with 72 companions captured a train and ran it from Martinsburg to Harper’s Ferry. This action caused their arrest by order of General Crawford, and they were sent to Washington. There discipline was somewhat relaxed and the party was detailed to go to work on fort building. This, however, did not appeal to Mr. Bigelow’s sense of right, and he protested, successfully, that he had entered the army as a cavalryman, and was sustained in his contention by Secretary of War Stanton, being honorably discharged June 16, 1862.

On the 13th of the following August, Mr. Bigelow re-enlisted, entering the 5th Michigan Reg., Vol. Cav., under the name of John Allen, and in the following November was made chief bugler. In the spring of 1863 the famous Michigan cavalry brigade was formed, and in June, General Copeland was relieved and General Custer placed in command. From this time on until his final discharge, Mr. Bigelow participated in all the hazardous campaigns in which his regiment won glory, and he was the first man to use a sabre, the incident taking place June 30th at Littlestown, Pennsylvania. On August 8, 1863, his gallantry was rewarded by promotion to the rank of 2d lieutenant and until April 1, 1864, he was engaged in recruiting. On May 4, 1864, he crossed the Rapidan in advance of his brigade, and this event inaugurated the Wilderness campaign. General Sheridan was in charge of the cavalry at Petersburg. In August, 1864, it will be recalled, the cavalry corps was sent to the Shenandoah Valley against General Early; in the charge at Opequan, a bullet struck Lieut. John Allen (Bigelow), which shattered his left elbow bone, necessitating a field amputation, an operation of such anguish that we, of these days of merciful anaesthetics, shudder to recall. This injury kept the brave soldier at Winchester until Christmas, 1864, and then he came home, only to endure a second and, later a third operation on the remains of his once strong left arm. Indeed, during the never-to-be-forgotten winter of 1864-65, the poor lacerated stump was in such a condition that the artery would not grow together, and for 50 agonizing days and nights, the artery was held by faithful friends, to prevent the suffering patient from bleeding to death. However, Nature finally came to his relief, and the arm, although it still does and always will trouble him, has not interfered with his successfully holding many offices of trust and responsibility and his filling them with the same fidelity with which he served his country on the battlefield. He was wounded five different times but never consented to leave his regiment until the injury just mentioned. Among the many adventures in which he displayed, personal bravery was one night when, in company with Lieut. Percy Leggett, he crossed the Rappahannock River and brought some prisoners from General Hood’s army. Lieut. John Allen (Bigelow) was discharged April 15, 1865, having taken part in 84 battles and skirmishes with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade.

After his return from the army, Mr. Bigelow resumed school teaching in his native township until 1886, in the spring of that year removing to Birmingham, where he was appointed postmaster, an office he held for 18 consecutive years. While holding this government position, he also conducted a general store, was made a notary public and also was an insurance and express agent.

Mr. Bigelow has always been noted for his public spirit and his excellent business judgment, and much credit is due him for the early and excellent telephone system which Birmingham has enjoyed since its inception. In 1884 he resigned his position as postmaster, sold out his mercantile business, and in that year entered upon the duties of county treasurer, to which he had been elected by a large majority, and to which he was re-elected for a second term. He has on various occasions filled many offices, always with the greatest efficiency, giving the same faithful services to the affairs of the public as he did in the army, when he rose from the ranks to the position of captain of his company.

In politics, Mr. Bigelow is an ardent Republican, and is a valued member of Dick Richardson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Pontiac. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason.

On May 24, 1864, Mr. Bigelow was united in marriage with Isabel Whitehead, who was born in Waterford township, Oakland County, in June, 1844, and is a daughter of Almeron and Ann (Mais) Whitehead. Three children were born to this marriage, namely: Capt. Mortimer O., U. S. A.; Bertha Alliene, who was married September 25, 1902, to Mr. I. H. Neff, who is a member of the medical staff of the Eastern Michigan Asylum at Pontiac; and Bessie E.

Capt. Mortimer O. Bigelow was born in Birmingham, and entered the United States Military Academy at West Point as a cadet June 17, 1891, and was graduated June 12, 1895. He entered the cavalry branch of the service, and was appointed additional 2d lieutenant, 10th U. S. Cavalry, June 12, 1895, and made 2d lieutenant, 10th U. S. Cavalry, June 13, 1895. He was transferred to the 8th U. S. Cavalry June 22, 1895, became 1st lieutenant in that regiment March 2, 1899, and was made captain in the 9th U. S. Cavalry June 30, 1901. On April 25, 1903, he was transferred to the 8th U. S. Cavalry, to which he is still assigned.

From June 12, 1895, to April 1, 1898, Captain Bigelow was engaged in troop duty at Fort Meade, South Dakota, with detached service in Wyoming and Montana. He was aid-de-camp to Gen. J. M. Bacon from April 1, 1898, to September 10, 1898; troop duty at Huntsville, Alabama, September 10 to November 10, 1898; troop duty, commanding Troop G, 8th U. S. Cavalry, in Province of Puerto Principe, Cuba, from November 13, 1898, to June 28, 1900; in command of District of Guantanamo, Province of Santiago, Cuba, from June 28, 1900, to July 10, 1901. On July 10, 1901, he was detailed as instructor in mathematics in the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he is still on duty and where he will probably be until August 28, 1905.