James Bird "Bert" Bigelow

BIGELOW, VARGASON, BURCO, BATES, RICHARDS

Posted By: Raven Thomas (email)
Date: 6/21/2005 at 19:37:40

James Bird Bigelow, the son of James and Hattie Vargson Bigelow was born in Coytown, near Hazelton, Iowa. February 2, 1859 and departed this life January 2, 1938, aged 78 years and 11 months. His life was spent in the home community until his marriage to Julia Ann Burco, February 2, 1882, at which time the young couple moved to South Dakota. There they spent a number of years, three of their children having been born in that state. Surviving are their five children, they are Mrs. Rose Bates of Lamont, Charles of Hazelton, Roy of Arlington, Mrs. Myrtle Richards of Alhambra, Calif., and Fred of Arlington. There also survive thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

After the family returned from South Dakota they settled at Hazelton, then lived a few years at Oelwein and at Scott where Mr. Bigelow followed the blacksmithing trade. He then went to farming and for eleven or twelve years engaged in that occupation. Twenty-one years ago the family moved to Arlington where they have since resided and where the deceased worked at his trade as long as his health permitted. A few weeks ago his foot and limb began to bother him and five weeks before his death he was taken to Iowa City for treatment where he passed away Sunday morning, January 2. His wife preceded him in death seven months, her passing occurring May 30th, 1937. he missed her greatly and her going was a great loss to him. Mr. Bigelow was a good neighbor and friend and we shall miss his kindly greeting with which he was wont to greet people on the streets and in the stores of his home town.

Funeral services were held at the home of his son, Fred, in Arlington and at the Methodist Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. E.J. Starr, January 4, 1938. Music was furnished by a quartet composed of Messrs Cecil Dobbs and Robt. Hutchison and Mesdames Ralph Bateman and Wallace Peters with Mrs. C.C. Gleim at the piano.

Internment at Oelwein in the family lot beside his dearly beloved wife.

I know not what the future hath
Of marvel of surprise,
Assured alone that life an Death
His mercy underlies.
And so beside the silent sea
I wait with muffled oar;
No harm from him can come to me
On ocean or on shore.
I know not where his islands lift
Their fonded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond his love an Care.
And thou, o Lord, by whom are seen
Thy creatures as they be,
Forgive me if too close I lean
My human heart on thee."

John G. Whittier

Card of Thanks
We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many friends and neighbors for the many thoughtful kindnesses to our dearly beloved father, J.B. Bigelow. The fruit, letters, cards, gifts and tokens of friendship sent him while in the hospital were a great comfort to him in his last days.

We wish to thank the friends, neighbors an clubs for all the sympathy expressed in so many ways in our bereavement, the loss of our father. The assistance and all the thoughtful kindness has meant to much. We thank those who sent flowers, the casket bearers, the quartet and those who furnished cars. we hereby wish to thank each one who assisted in any way.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bates

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Richards

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Bigelow

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bigelow

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bigelow

Obituary
James Bigelow of Arlington passed away at the hospital in Iowa City Jan. 2, where he had been taken for treatment. Funeral services were held Jan. 6, 1938 at the Methodist church in Arlington. His wife preceded him in death may 30 1937. There remains his five children, Mrs. Rose Bates of Lamont, Charles of Hazleton, Roy and Fred of Arlington and Mrs Myrtie Richards of Alhambra, Calif. Interment was made in the family lot in Oelwein.

Arlington--Bert Biglow, 78, who died Sunday morning at the university hospital in Iowa City, following an amputation of the left leg below the knee Friday as a result of gangrene. Funeral service was held from the Methoidst Episcopal Church, Tuesday afternoon.
Mrs Bigelow died last June.