Bigelow, Stanley E., 1886-1938

BIGELOW, BASELER, HOUSE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

[Since there are inconsistent reports of his employment circumstances prior to his suicide, the submitter has chosen to include these as supplements to his obituary, as well as recording obituaries from various newspapers.]

From the Hawarden Independent, November 3, 1938:

Former Court Reporter Ends Life

Stanley E. Bigelow, 51, former well known court reporter in this district, committed suicide last Friday afternoon. The news came in a radio report from the Michigan state police of Lansing, which stated that Bigelow killed himself by firing a bullet through his head. He was found dead in his car on a road near his home.

Bigelow was court reporter for Judge R. G. Rodman for three and a half years before moving to Monroe, Mich., last August. Mr. Bigelow resigned his position as court reporter last August to accept what he believed was an advancement near his former home at Monroe, Mich. However, this position proved to be only temporary and this fact may have led to despondency which caused him to take his life.

He is survived by his wife and two grown children, John, a law student at the University of Michigan, and a daughter, Esther, living in Monroe.

Mr. Bigelow lived at Alton and Sheldon for many years when he served as court reporter for the late Judge Wm. Hutchinson and for C. W. Pitts when he was on the bench. He was well known in this judicial district.

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From the Alton Democrat, November 11, 1938:

IN MEMORIUM
STANLEY E. BIGELOW

Mr. Bigelow, veteran court reporter, took his life Friday, October 28, due to despondency over the loss of his position as court reporter in the 21st Judicial District which he had capably held for 17 years. To clarify in the minds of friends the family wish it to be known that the head reporter at Flint, Michigan, where Mr. Bigelow was doing temporary work, stated that his work was perfect up until his death.

Mr. Bigelow was born at Stanton, Michigan, on December 28, 1885, and came to Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 16. On June 19, 1909 he was married to Katherine Baseler. To this union were born two children who, with the widow, Mrs. Bigelow, survive him. The children are Mrs. Dan Randall of Monroe, Michigan, and John Bigelow, a law student at Ann Arbor.

Mr. Bigelow worked in the military department in the capital building at Lansing for 12 years, and then went to Flint where he was court reporter for 2 years. He then came to Iowa where he was official reporter for the 21sr Judicial District for 17 years, during which time he was also secretary and treasurer of the bar association of that district. He returned to Michigan in August 1938.

The funeral was held in the Estes Leadly Funeral Home in Lansing on Monday afternoon with Dr. Bishop, an old acquaintance, officiating. The tender memories of his many friends throughout Iowa and Michigan were expressed by their beautiful floral tribute. Pallbearers were Mr. George Smith of Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Harry Demorest of Flint, Mrs. Albert Scarlet of Owasso, Michigan, Messrs. Lester Roe, Bert Reed, and Morley Staufford of Lansing.

Mr. Bigelow had written a novel, as yet unpublished, which he left as a memorial to his children. [Followed by a passage from the novel that was read at the funeral.]

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From the Lansing State Journal, October 29, 1938:

Funeral for Suicide To Be Held Monday

Funeral services for Stanley E. Bigelow, 51, of Monroe, who committed suicide Friday while seated in a parked automobile in the 2400 block of East Grand River avenue, will be held Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Estes-Leadley funeral home.

Bigelow shot himself through the head with a 22-caliber rifle. He left no note explaining the reason for his act, but it is believed he was despondent over the recent loss of his position as court reporter in the 21st judicial district in Iowa.

He was born at Stanton December 28, 1886 and came to Lansing at the age of 16. On June 19, 1909, he was married to Katherine Baseler. For 12 years he worked under Col. Walter Rogers in the military department at the state capitol building and then went to Flint where he was court reporter for two years. He then went to Iowa where he remained for 17 years. He recently moved to Monroe.

Surviving are the widow, Katherine, one son, John Bigelow of Ann Arbor, and a daughter, Mrs. Dan Randall of Monroe. Dr. Edwin W. Bishop will officiate and interment will be in Mt. Hope cemetery.

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From the Alton Democrat, August 26, 1938, p. 8 [Courthouse news]

An order terminating the appointment of S. E. Bigelow as official shorthand reporter of the district court was signed by Judge R. G. Rodman. Mr. Bigelow has been reporter for Judge Rodman since the latter was elected to the bench and moved to Cherokee from Sheldon to make his home.

He came to Sioux county a good many years ago to be court reporter for the late Judge Wm. Hutchinson. After the latter’s death he was reporter for Judge C. C. Bradley of Le Mars for some time and then for Judge Rodman of Cherokee. The family have many friends throughout the district who will regret their departure. Mr. Bigelow had spoken a number of times during recent years of moving back to his old home in Michigan.

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From the Cherokee Daily Times, August 19, 1938:

BIGELOW QUITS REPORTER POST
Was Court Aide For Judge R. G. Rodman

S. E. Bigelow, court reporter for Judge R. G. Rodman, Cherokee, for a number of years, has resigned his position and now is on a two weeks’ vacation trip to Lansing, Mich. The Bigelows formerly lived in Michigan and their son, John, is a law student at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Bigelow has not announced his future plans but expects to return to Cherokee soon.

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From the Cherokee Daily Times, October 29, 1938:

STANLEY BIGELOW ENDS OWN LIFE AT MONROE, MICH
Reports Indicate Former Court Reporter Shot Himself

A radio report from the office of the Michigan State Police at Lansing last Friday said Stanley E. Bigelow, about 45, who recently left Cherokee, apparently committed suicide by firing a bullet through his head. He was found dead in his car on a road near his home, the report indicated.

Bigelow was for three and a half years court reporter for Judge R. G. Rodman and resided at 233 East Main street before moving to Monroe, Mich., last August.

Friends here could not advance any motive for the act. Judge Rodman said Saturday morning that Bigelow resigned his position here last August to accept what he believed was an advancement near his former home in Michigan. However, the job proved only temporary, and this fact may have led to despondence which caused him to take his life.

Surviving are the widow and two grown children, John, a law student at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a daughter, Esther, living at Monroe.

Bigelow came to this section several years ago from Michigan and formerly lived at Alton. He was court reporter from Judge William Hutchinson, now dead, and Judge C. W. Pitts, of Alton. Judge Rodman said he had received two letters from Bigelow since his removal to Michigan and that all the letters were of a cheerful tone.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate gives his birth date as Dec. 28, 1886 in Stanton, Mich.; and adds his parents, Charles A. Bigelow and Mary House, both born in Michigan.

His FindaGrave.com page shows him buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Lansing, with a photo of his headstone (Stanley Bigelow 1886-1938); no personal or family data.

The 1916 Lansing City Directory shows him as a stenographer, State Military Dept. The 1920 U.S. census shows him (as Stanley B., age 34) and his family still living in Lansing, Michigan; he is a clerk for the National Guard. In the 1925 Iowa state census they are living in Alton. In 1930 they are living in Sheldon; he is a court reporter.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his full name, Stanley Eugene Bigelow, age 33, living in Lansing, Mich., a financial clerk for the State of Michigan, wife Katheryn; medium height and build, blue eyes, brown hair.