My Genealogy Hound

Bigsby Brothers (Edgar and A. L.), proprietors of the Kirksville Woolen Mills, are natives of New York, where they were born in 1847 and 1854, respectively. They came to Illinois in childhood, and after residing there for about twelve years they removed to Johnson County, Iowa. Their father had learned carding and weaving in New York, and they were trained in that occupation also. In 1877 A. L. established a mill at Trenton, Mo., in which he still owns an interest. Edgar came to Kirksville in 1882, and purchased their present mill. He furnished the mill with new machinery, and the following year A. L. took an interest in the stock, and has since been located here. They manufacture flannels, blankets, jeans, yarns, cloths, etc., and have a capacity of 5,000 yards per month. They consumed about 50,000 pounds of wool, and employ some fifteen workmen. In 1875 Edgar married Eliza J. Walker a native of Ohio. One of their four sons is deceased. A. L. was married in 1881 to Delia Jammison a native of Illinois. Lester is their only son. Edgar served a few months in the Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, and in the spring of 1865 was discharged at Springfield, Ill. The father, J. S., is a native of New York, and is at present operating the dye house department of a woolen-mill at Waterloo, Iowa. He was married to Lucinda Loomis, a native of New York, who is now deceased. His family of four sons and one daughter all survive her. By the father’s second marriage to Electa Welch, he had one son and one daughter.