1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

 

BIOGRAPHY (S)

 

BIGGER

                                                                                                                           

 

C. C.                                                                               Yellow Creek Township, 682

    

was born in Marion county, Kentucky, and is the son of Harrison E. and Keziah Bigger, both native Kentuckians..  His grandfather, William Bigger, came to Kentucky at an early age, and organized a regiment and went to New Orleans during the War of 1812.  Upon his arrival, however, the war had terminated, and Colonel Bigger did not participate.  He was an eminent surveyor, and before his death had begun a work on surveying, designed as a text-book on that subject.  The manuscript bears date of 1797m and is still in the family as a relic.  C.C. Bigger came with his parents to Missouri in 1844, and settled in this county, where he grew to manhood, and acquired his education, principally at Linneus.  In May, 1862, Mr. Bigger was appointed by Governor Gamble to serve out the unexpired term of county surveyor Jacob L. Holland.  In the fall of 1863 he was elected to that office on the Republican ticket without opposition.  In 1864 he was reelected to same office, still without opposition.  Again in 1868 he was elected to same, and was tendered the nomination in 1872 but declined to accept.  Once more, in 1880, was elected surveyor and still serves in the same capacity.  He has served as notary public for eight years.  He filled out, by appointment, the unexpired part of county assessor Lewis’ term in 1866.  Mr. B’s military experience is limited to five months’ service in the Enrolled State Militia, in which he held the rank of orderly in 1864.  He has taught several years in the schools of Linn county, and served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Care in 1869-70.

     Mr. Bigger was married August 24, 1876m to Miss Leah J. Powers, by whom he has five children, named: Guy W., Mabel, Edwin M., Isaac Ray, and Ida.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and his general popularity may be easily surmised from the long service he has had in positions of public trust in the county.

   

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CICERO  C.                                                                                                                      Jefferson Twp., and Laclede, 599

    

son of Judge Harrison E. and Clarinda (nee Gillespie) Bigger, was born in Linn county, Missouri, August 17, 1855, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his district and also at Laclede.  When twenty-one years of age he began teaching school; has taught every winter since and farmed during the summer.  He owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, and is industrious and popular in both callings.  Mr. Bigger was married March 16, 1881, to Miss Mollie Meanes, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (nee Hartsook) Meanes, of Linn county, Missouri, formerly of Ohio.  By this marriage there is one child, Berenice.

 

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HARRISON E.                                                                                    Jefferson Twp., and Laclede, 599

    

son of William and Margaret (nee Thomas) Bigger, was born in Marion county, Kentucky, February 3, 1812.  His parents were both natives of Virginia, and his father was a colonel in the War of 1812.  Mr. Bigger grew to manhood in his native county, and received his education in the old log school-house common in those days.  He was reared on a farm and followed that calling until 1844, when he removed to Linn county, Missouri, and settled five miles west of Linneus, being one of the earliest pioneers of that section, and somewhat noted as a hunter.  He was an expert at killing wild turkeys, but had poor success in shooting deer.  After wounding them they generally managed to escape.  He had one of the poorest guns in the county, and his neighbors actually called a meeting and voted to take his gun from him if he did not do better execution with it.  Mr. Bigger generally hunted with William Kirby.  The latter would kill deer while Mr. B. would keep a keen lookout for snakes, he being always in great dread of rattlesnakes.  In 1859, the subject of this sketch removed to his farm of 168 acres, upon which he still resides.  In 186, he was elected judge of the Linn county court, and held that office eight years, with great credit and efficiency.  Mr. Bigger has had three wives.  The first time, in 1823, he was married to Miss Lucinda Crews, daughter of Gideon and Elizabeth Crews, of Marion county, Kentucky.  She died in March 1858.  By this union there were five children, two of whom are living, Charles W., a prominent lawyer at Linneus, and Clellen G., the present county surveyor.  Mr. B. was married the second time in 1860, to Miss Clarinda Gillespie, daughter of John and Rebecca (nee Watson) Gillespie, of West Virginia.  She died February 18, 1878.  By this union there were four children, all living, and named William H., Cicero, Socrates, and Fannie F.  Mr. B. was again married August 20, 1880, to Mrs. Margaret Brown, formerly a Miss Hardwick, daughter of John and Smily (nee Shrause) Hardwick, who was born and reared in Kentucky. 

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Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2010.  All Rights Reserved.