SILAS S. BIGELOW

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 621-622:

Silas S. Bigelow

(Of Robinson & Bigelow, Dealers in Wagons, Buggies, Agricultural Implements and Farm Machinery, Nevada).

   Mr. Bigelow, a member of a firm that is numbered among the more recent acquisitions to the business interests of Nevada, was born August 7, 1838, in Ontario county, N. Y., a State of which his parents, John B. and Maria (Stout) Bigelow, were also natives.  They had in their family nine children and of this number Silas S. was the sixth child and third son, learning as he grew up in the vicinity of his birthplace the iron moulder's trade and general smithing.  After serving his apprenticeship he worked for one year at his trade, and then enlisted in the 15th New York cavalry, his military experience extending through some of the most terrible battles of the war.  He was on Hunter's raid to Lynchburg and the battles of the Shenandoah Valley in 1863 and 1864, and served for two years and eight months in that regiment.  In 1862 he went out with the 1st Ohio artillery, Army of the Cumberland, and was among the first troops to land at Nashville, in March, 1862.  Afterward he helped to raise Co. C, 15th New York cavalry, being mustered in August 8, 1863, at Syracuse, and on October 5, 1864, he was commissioned second lieutenant and on November 23 following was made first lieutenant, commanding the company during service in 1865.  At the surrender at Appomattox he was in advance of the column as body guard to Gen. Custer when the first flag of truce was received.  The 15th New York were in the 3d division under Custer, Army of the Potomac, and under the command of Col. J. J. Coppinger, James G. Blaine's son-in-law, now commander of the post at Fort Hayes; he was promoted from captain and remained in command until the surrender.  After the review the regiment was consolidated with the 6th New York cavalry and ordered to Texas under Gen. Custer, arriving at Louisville July 5, 1865, where they remained until August 1st following, then returning to Elmira, where they were discharged from service December 10, 1865.  Mr. Bigelow now went to Ohio whither his parents had removed during the war, and soon after he embarked in the grocery business; later he traveled through Illinois and Iowa selling goods at auction, then went to Chicago and remained there until moving to Nevada, Mo., in the spring of 1871.  At first and for six years and two months he was in the employ of the M. K. & T. R. R. as baggage master at this point, after leaving which position he engaged in the transfer business, also serving as agent for the Consolidated Tank Line Co. for three years.  In July, 1886, in company with W. H. Robinson, a partnership was formed under the firm name of Robinson & Bigelow, in the agricultural implement and carriage business, a branch of trade which supplies a long felt want in this place, and one that under the management of such representative men is destined to be an important factor in the business interests of Nevada.  The stock carried is full and complete and will compare favorably with that of similar houses in larger cities.  Politically Mr. Bigelow is a stanch Republican, and at this time is chairman of the County Central Committee.  While president of the Blaine and Logan club he received a beautiful saber as a present from the Republican citizens of the county as a testimonial for his services in this capacity.  As a member of the G. A. R. he has held positions as quartermaster, adjutant and commander, the latter an office he still fills.  He also belongs to the A. F. and A. M.  October 5, 1859, Mr. Bigelow was married to Miss Emma J. Manahan, of Norfolk, O.  Her father is Henry H. Manahan, a resident at this time of Nevada.

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