Bigelow, Lucinda died 1864

BIGELOW, SWAN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/18/2025 at 13:36:45

DIED - At Chicago, on Wednesday, December 14th, at 6 P.M., of Typhoid fever, Mrs. Lucinda, wife of Gen. L.F. Bigelow, late of McGregor, Iowa.

If it were possible, by the use of any poor words of ours, to lessen the anguish of a bereaved husband and two little orphans who are inconsolable for the loss of wife and mother, we might take up our pen in hope; but alas! no language can still the heart-throbbings of the afflicted when the loved one, whose smiles have made life all it was worth to them, no sleeps in death.

No one but he who has gazed on the pale face of a shrouded companion, can realize the utter desolation which crushes out the aspirations of the soul. All is a blank, and Time alone can fill it with scenes which may render life worth having.

Mrs. Bigelow was a resident of Clayton county many years. Known to every body, and loved by all, it is not strange that the announcement of her death by telegraph, early on Thursday morning, gave our city a shock which was as marked as it was painful. People met each other sadly and spoke of the mournful event in whispers!

The Bigelow farm, a few miles west of McGregor, was the home of Hospitality. When our citizens wanted a happy time, the sleighs or carriages of McGregor were in requisition for all who chose to come. Hearts of cordiality met us on the threshold, and our visits invariably added a stronger link to the bright chain of Friendship, which death alone could impair. We mention this fact because all talk of it, and we deeply feel how much the grave has taken from us.

But why use further words. May the Father of Mercies shield us from harm, and prepare us all for the visit of the Great Teacher, Death!

~Weekly North Iowa Times, Wednesday, December 21, 1864; pg 2

Note: Burial is in Graceland cemetery, Chicago. She was the 1st w/o LaFayette Bigelow, and removed to McGregor from NY in June 1849. They had just gone to Chicago in September 1864. Lafayette moved back to Clayton co. and remarried to Julia Swan who died in 1881.