BIO: Ellis N. BIGGER, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 402-405. _________________________________________________________________ ELLIS N. BIGGER, county solicitor for Beaver county, Pa., is also a prominent attorney of Beaver. After attending public school, young Bigger took a finishing course at Frankfort Academy, after which he followed the profession of teaching public schools and in Frankfort Academy, for a period of four years. He then registered as a law student with the late Samuel B. Wilson, then one of Beaver county's most prominent and able attorneys. Mr. Bigger was admitted to the bar June 2, 1879, and soon after began the practice of his profession. alone, in Beaver. He continued thus until 1882, when he entered into partnership with Frank Wilson. Mr. Wilson died in 1883, after which the firm became Bigger & Henry (T. M. Henry) until 1891, since which Mr. Bigger has practiced alone. He has been very successful as a lawyer, and is an able writer and speaker. Although he never aspired to office, he has served in the borough council for six years, and has recently been elected county solicitor for three years, which will make an incumbency of eight consecutive years in the latter office. The subject of this sketch is an ardent advocate of thorough educational systems, being a member of the borough school board. He owns a fine residence on Raccoon street, built by J. F. Dravo, and containing all the modern conveniences. Mr. Bigger's residence is handsomely furnished, and he boasts of having one of the most elegant, select libraries in the borough. He is a man of rare literary taste and is a lover of the best works. Mr. Bigger chose for his life partner Jean Blanche Love, a favorite daughter of the late Robert and Jane (McClure) Love, of Mercer county. Robert Love was a progressive merchant tailor of that place, and died when seventy-two years old, while Mrs. Love died at BEAVER COUNTY 403 the age of sixty-two years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Love: John, who died young; Emma, wife of A. F. McNair; Alfretta, single; Christopher L, who also died young; Catherine, deceased; and Jean Blanche, wife of the subject hereof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bigger are devout Christians, being willing workers in the Presbyterian church, besides giving liberally of their means to many charitable institutions. Mr. Bigger is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is in every respect a man of force and influence. He has a fund of experience to draw from, that is of a superior order. As a prominent man in his profession, his judgment and foresight have been brought to a keen edge from contact with the shrewdest of business men. The success which has come to him is but the natural result of his incessant and well-directed efforts. Ellis N. Bigger was born September 17, 1856, in Hanover township, Washington county, Pa. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Nicholson) Bigger, grandson of James and Mary (Biggart) Bigger, great-grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moore) Bigger, and great-great-grandson of Matthew Bigger. Matthew Bigger was born at a place called Bigger, in Scotland, and on account of religious persecutions fled to Ireland, settled in County Antrim, near Belfast, where his death occurred. He left a widow and six children. The names of the latter were: John, James, Samuel, Thomas, Jane, and Elizabeth. The three eldest sons remained in Ireland, but Thomas and his two sisters, Jane and Elizabeth, accompanied by their mother, came to America. Thomas, the fourth son, was born in 1738, and upon attaining manhood, he fell in love with Elizabeth Moore, the daughter of a wealthy man, who objected to their marriage on account of Thomas being a poor man, and a weaver by trade. But notwithstanding the father's objections, the young folks were married, and shortly afterward Thomas induced his mother and two sisters to accompany them to America. They landed at Baltimore, Md., October 16, 1773. Thomas, upon learning that land was cheap in the "wild west," journeyed overland to what is now Raccoon township, Washington county, Pa., and near Raccoon creek he took up a large tract of land. He was of a proud nature, but was a sturdy worker, and the height of his ambition was to become an extensive land owner. In his native country, only the wealthy had large landed possessions, but, by struggling hard against almost overwhelming difficulties, with the aid of his ever-faithful wife, he gratified his heart's desire. He built a log cabin and felled the forest trees, and he lived as only the brave pioneers did; but he prospered, and at the time of his death he was a well-to-do and progressive farmer. His life shows that "what man has done, man can do." He and his devoted consort reared a family of ten children. James Bigger, grandfather of Ellis N., served in the War of 1812, as a private, being stationed at Fort Maldon. He was united in marriage with Mary Biggart, 404 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in 1816, and the same year purchased a farm in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pa. This farm was formerly owned by Magnus Tate, and contained four hundred acres, mostly new land. He built a two-story house of logs, which was later replaced by a fine, large, brick residence, which is still standing. The farm is now owned by H. R. Wilson. James was one of the earliest men of the county to promote agricultural progress. It is said that he owned the first threshing machine ever used in the township, or in that vicinity. Men came many miles to see it. He also owned the first mower, and obtained many other agricultural implements before his neighbors did. He was very naturally regarded as a leading man in the community. His wife bore him the following children: Samuel, who married Jane Fulton; Jane, who was twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Hall, and her second, Matthew Nickle; Mary, wife of Rev. J. P. Moore; Thomas, the father of Ellis N.; Eliza A., wife of David Nickle; Martha, wife of Joseph K. Buchanan; Ellen, wife of David Nicholson; James M., who married Margaret Morrow; John, who married a Miss Childs; and Robert, who married Ann Kieffer. Thomas Bigger, father of our subject, Ellis N., was born on his father's farm January 9, 1826. During his youth he assisted his father in clearing the farm and when he attained manhood he still lingered there until his marriage with Mary Nicholson, which occurred on the second day of November, 1854. After his marriage he settled in Hanover township, Washington county, Pa., but later purchased a part of the old homestead farm, near the famous Frankfort Springs, where he has lived ever since, owning one of the finest farms in Beaver county. This farm is now in a state of fine cultivation, and contains a handsome residence, splendid barns, etc. Early in life Mr. Bigger devoted much time and attention to sheep raising, but subsequently he discontinued that branch and turned his attention to general farming; he has now practically retired. He has always been a public-spirited man, and has served as school director for many years; he was one of the founders and original stockholders of the Frankfort Academy. In politics he was a Democrat previous to the formation of the Republican party, since which he has supported the latter. Both he and his aged wife are Christians, being active members of the United Presbyterian church. This worthy and highly esteemed couple, although on the shady side of life, are hale and hearty, and hope to welcome many friends at their hospitable home for years to come. Mrs. Bigger was born May 6, 1834, and is a daughter of Hon. Thomas Nicholson. She bore her husband two sons, and one daughter, namely; Ellis N., the subject of this sketch; Inez J., wife of David S. Strouss; and James Carl, attorney-at-law in Steubenville, Ohio. Hon. Thomas Nicholson, the maternal grandfather of the subject hereof, enjoyed the distinction of being the first superintendent of schools of Beaver county, Pa. He was for many years a teacher of Frankfort Academy. BEAVER COUNTY 405 He was also elected to the legislature and served as justice of the peace. His life was considered among the most worthy in the annals of Beaver county.