Pleasant Hart Bigger

O B I T U A R Y

P. H. BIGGER DEAD
Old Resident of this County Passes Away After a Long Illness

On the afternoon of July 4, at his home south-east of this city, Pleasant H. bigger succumbed to the Grim Reaper after an illness lasting many months. He had been bedfast since February and death was expected at most any moment. Mr. Bigger was 81 years of age and he came with his father to McLean county in 1836. He was born in Owen county, Ind., in 1820, and was the son of Jas. Bigger, a native of Ohio. The latter settled in Gridley township on the above mentioned date, 1836, and the father passed away in the spring of 1841.

In 1840 P. H. Bigger married Miss Margaret Bell. She survived her marriage only five years, dying at the age of 35 years, leaving a husband and two children. Mr. Bigger was married a second time to Sarah A. Hibbs and had two children by this second marriage. Some years after her death, March 1864, he married Mrs. Sarah Loving. To this union were born seven children, all of whom survive the father.

The children surviving are: James Bigger, residing near Hudson; Mrs. Sarah Hankins, of Arlington, Neb.; Joseph, of Wichita, Kan.; Mrs. Maria Spencer of Lawrenceburg, Mo.; Mrs. Ida Vogt, of Greenwich, Kan.; Mrs. Laura Knapple, of Danvers; Judson, residing on the home place; Mrs. Alice Vogt, of Zearing, Ia.; Mrs. Mattie Lawyer, of El Paso; Lott, of Farley, Kan.; and Mrs. Rose Lawrence, residing in Gridley township.

Mr. Bigger had acquired a large landed interest, all of which was accumulated by dower right, hard work and good management. He was a typical pioneer and was deeply interested in agriculture and stock raising. In his younger years he was an active worker in the El Paso Fair. He leaves an aged wife, one brother, eleven children, forty-three grand children, twenty-one great grand children and one great great grand child.

The funeral was held at the home Thursday morning and was conducted by Rev. Beshers, of the Christian church. Appropriate music was furnished by a male quartet from this city, and a very large concourse of neighbors and relatives were present. The remains were laid to rest in the Hibbs cemetery, just across the road from the old homestead.

N E W S   I T E M

WILL OF P. H. BIGGER
An Interesting Document Filed for Record by the Exececutors.

The executors of the will of P. H. Bigger have filled the will and as it contains much of interest and on account of the prominence of the family in the community we give the principal points of it. After directing the executors to pay all debts and funeral expenses and sell all personal property within one year after his death, he directs that they sell all of his real estate within five years after his decease. The real estate that he owned is enumerated in the will and minutely described. In the meantime the same is to be rented and the net proceeds divided between his seven children, viz: Ida May Vogt, Laura Knapley, Alice Vogt, Mattie Lawyer, Judson Bigger, Lot Bigger and Rosa Bigger (Lawrence).

The executors are furthermore instructed to pay to his widow $350 per annum during her life, in two semi annual payments, or if she prefer she may have the entire proceeds of the 80 acres in township 27 in McLean county, and if she choose that this land may not be sold till after her death. This provision is in lieu of any dower or award or homestead rights. He also gives to his son James Bigger $500 which together with what he had been heretofore advanced to him shall constitute his entire share of the estate. He also bequeaths to his daughter Sarah Haskins, a certain note he hold against her for $500 and this with what she had had heretofore will constitute her entire sum. To his son Joseph he gives the sum of $1000 which with what he has given him prior to his demise will be his entire share. To his daughter Mary Spencer he gave the sum of $700. He also directs that when the land is sold the entire proceeds thereof after deducting the expenses incident to carrying out the will, shall be divided equally among his seven children mentioned above, Ida, Laura, Alice, Mattie, Judson, Lot and Rosa, share and share alike.

Lot Bigger and John Knapley were appointed executors of the will when drawn April 20, 1897, but on Sept. 27, 1898 he added a codecil to it making Lot and Judson Bigger his executors. The real estate mentioned in the will consists of 520 acres in Woodford and McLean counties this state and in Sedgwick county, Kan.