Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 6/20/1944

Fatally ° shot Sunday at.
Pekin by a Tonawanda war
worker whom he attempted to
take into custody, Fred A. Bigalow,
59, of Wilson, Niagara
County sheriff for 8'/2 years,
died at 11:15 Monday night
in Lockport City Hospital.
After two blood transfusions and
an emergency operation for an abdominal
shotgun wound, the sheriff
appeared slightly stronger Monday
afternoon, but at night his condition
took a rapid change for the worse.
At his bedside when the end came
was his wife, Mrs. Jennie H. Bigalow,
who had been with him almost
constantly since the tragic shooting.
The body was taken Monday
night to the Hamilton and Clark
Undertaking establishment, Wilson
and this afternoon was brought here
to the sheriff's residence, 151 Niagara
St., where the funeral will be
held Thursday at 2:30 Burial will
be in Greenwood Cemetery, Wilson.
By coincidence, Sheriff Bigalow
°was the second of his family to die
while holding the office of sheriff.
His father, Alanson C. Bigalow, died
here in the Summer of 1923 after
holding the office of sheriff for two
and one-half years.
Muisiner Acting Sheriff
With the death of Sheriff Bigalow,
Undersheriff Arthur Muisiner, Nia-
gara Falls, ° became the acting
sheriff and will serve until the end
of the term on Dec 31 or until a
temporary .appointment Is made by
Governor Dewey.
Sheriff Bigalow was shot about
10:30 Sunday night when he responded
with Deputy Fred Strauss
to the call of Mrs. Charles Zuch,
Upper Mountain Road, Pekin, who
reported her estranged husband had
come by bus from Tonawanda, had
loaded a 20-gauge shotgun and
had threatened to siioot her.
The sheriff knew Zuch, who
served a ten-day term m jail last
Spring for driving an automobile
while intoxicated. Learning that
Zuch had retired to the loft of the
barn with the gun, the sheriff
climbed to the loft, calling to Zuch
to be sensible and come down.
Instead, Zuxh shot the sheriff in
the abdomen at point-blank range
when the sheriff reached the head
of the stairs.
Hemmed in by a cordon of
sheriff's deputies and state Police
who quickly surrounded the area,
Zuch shot himself through the head
with the same gun early Monday
morning at the edge of a small
woods abaout half a mile away. Dr.
Lemuel R. Hurlbut, coroner, issued
a certificate of suicide.
Was Livestock Dealer

Sheriff Bigalow was born in the
Town of Wilson, Aug. 22, 1884, son
of Alanson and Emma M. Bigalow.
He was educated in the district
schools and for many years was a
farmer and livestock buyer Dur-
ing World I he also did butchering
for the wholesale trade, gaining the
sobriquet of "Butch."
Always a Republican in politics,
Mr. Bigalow was elected a supervisor
in the town of Wilson in the Fall
of 1928 and served in that capacity
for three terms of two years each.
While on the board he was chair-
man of the sheriff's Committee and
was a member of other important
committees.
In 1935 Mr. Bigalow was elected
sheriff by a large majority for a
three-year term. Before the term
ended the law which prevented a
sheriff from succeeding himself in
office was repealed and Sheriff
Bigalow was elected for two addi-
tional terms. He was a candidate for
re-election this Fall and his pri-
mary petitions were already in cir-
culation.
Headed County Conference
For several years Sheriff Bigalow
had been president of the Judges
and Police Executives Conference of
Niagara County. He was popular
throughout the state in law en-
forcement circles and was a director
of the state Sheriff's Association.
He was a past president of the Ni-
agara County Pioneer's Association.
Fraternal and service organiza-
tions with which the sheriff was
affiliated included Ontario Loige,
376 F&AM, Wilson; Wilson Lodge
881, IOOD; Niagara Falls Lodge, 356,
BPOE; Lockport Aerie, 825, FOE
the Wilson Lions club, the Buffalo
Trap and Field Club and the Lock-
port Automobile Club. He was an
honorary member of the Niagara
Falls POlice Club and the Tenth
Ward Republican Club of Niagara
Falls.
Surviving besides his wife, are
his mother, Mrs. Emma M. Bigalow,
Lockport; a brother, Ellsworth M.
Bigalow, Wilson, and several nieces
and nephews.

Family/Spouse: Jennie H. Jennie was born on 28 Sep 1886 in New York; died on 20 Sep 1987 in Town of Wilson, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lockport NY Union Sun Journal - 6/2/1923

Alanson C. Bigalow, sheriff of
Niagara county, passed away at his
residence hers at 10:15 o'clock last
night The end had been momentarily
expected for some time, all hope for
the sheriff's recovery having been
given up by his attending physicians
several weeks ago. During the past
weeks he had failed gradually and
those nearest to him knew the end
was near. He was in his 65 th year.
Active in Public Life.
Sheriff Bigalow has been in poor
health for several months past.
Some time ago, about ths first of
the year, he underwent a serious
operation' at St Mary's hospital,
Niagara Falls, He survived the operation,
and was able to be brought
to his home here, but has failed
steadily since.
He has been a man of, prominence
for many years in the county. He
was born on the Randall road In the
town of Wilson, June 27, 1859. attended
the district schools, and engaged
in farm work during his early
manhood. Later he was also engaged
in the purchase and ahlpment of
livestock. After removing to the
yillage of Wilson- Mr. Bigalow for
many years conducted a general
store there, and also was interested
In the Wilson Lumber Company and
in other substantial enterprises, at
his death being a director of the
Wilson Cold Storage plant
In 1898 he was elected supervisor
from- the town of Wilson on the Republican
ticket, was re-elected in
1901, and again In 1902, serving continuously
for five years. During that
time he served on important committees,
and headed the sheriffs
committee and the superintendent of
poor's committee. On April 15, 1907
he was appointed county superintendent
of poor to fill a vacancy in
that position, and In November 1907
was elected to the office for a term
of three years. He was four times
re-elected, the last two without opposition.
He has always been a
staunch Republican, on which party
ticket he was elected sheriff November
2, 1920 by the largest majority
ever given a candidate in the
county.
On November 8, 1883 he was married
to Emma M. Bobzien of East
Wilson, and they have three sons,
Fred A., Ellsworth M., and L. Chester
Bigalow. Mr. Bigalow was a
member of Ontario Lodge No. 276,
F. and A. M.; Wilson Lodge. No. 931
I. O. O. F., of which he was a charter
member, the Wllsonian Club of
Wilson, and others. He attended the
Methodist Episcopal church of Wilson.
Was Zealous Official.
As in all of his other public duties
and relations with others. Sheriff
Bigalow conducted his office with
sincerity and ability. Hs strove always
to uphold the laws he was
sworn to enforce, and was perhaps
best known for his activities In the
enforcement of the prohibition laws.
He was known taw length and
breadth of the stats for his seal
In running down liquor smuggling.
and attempts to curb the activities
of bootleggers and in this achieved
considerable success. He did his
duty as he saw it,
He was Interested in the activities
of ths Niagara County Law Enforcement
Association and on several
occasions made public addresses
and appeals' for the better enforcement
of the Volstead and Mullan-
Gage acts. His war against ths rumrunners
began with his first week In
office, and did not relent until illness
forced him to cease an active
part In the running of his office. Almost
to the point of death however
M directed from the sick bed the
administration of the affairs of the
s h e r i f f s department, through his
nephew, and clerk, Elton C. Wllle.
For the present the affairs of the
office will be In the hands of Mr.
Wills, Under Sheriff George Hoak
of Niagara Falls, who temporarily
succeeds to the office pending the
appointment of a successor by Governor
Smith, Is ill at his home. His
Condition Is said to be serious, He
waa stricken several days ago with
grippe, and will be unable for some
time to take any part in the sheriff's
affairs. The present staff will
continue until new appointments are
made. Governor Smith will be notified
today "of the sheriff's death by
County Clerk Frank H. Fogal, but
the governor Is expected to leave
Albany Monday for a short vacation,
and may not make an appointment
Immediately.
Burial at Wilson
Funeral services will be held here
and at Wilson Monday afternoon. A
short service will be held-at the
sheriff*s late residence adjoining the
jail on Niagara street at 1 o'clock,
standard time, and at 2 o'clock services
will be held in the Methodist
Episcopal church at Wilson, of
which the deceased was a life-long
and active member. Burial will be
In Greenwood cemetery, Wilson. Beside
the widow and three sons,
Sheriff Bigalow leaves three grand
children, and several nephews and
nieces.

Alanson married BOBZIEN, Emma M on 8 Nov 1883 in Niagara County, NY. Emma (daughter of BOBZIEN, Fred and Theresa) was born about 1863 in Town of Wilson, Niagara County, NY; died on 21 Jan 1948 in Lockport, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Niagara Gazette - 1/21/1948

BIGALOW—Emma M. Lockport. Wednesday.
Jan. 21. 1948; mother of Ellsworth
of Wilson. N. Y. sister of Mary Ball.
Lockport. N. Y.. and Anna Townsend.
Chicago. Ill.; also survived by four
grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral from the home of her son. Ellsworth.
Wilson. N. Y.. Friday. Jan. 23. at
2:30 p m. Burial Wilson. N. Y.

ALSO

Niagara Gazette - 1/21/1948

Dies in Lockport
Mrs. Emma Bigalow. 84. of Lock-
port, died today in Lockport City
hospital. She was the widow of;
former Sheriff Alanson Bigalow and
the mother of the late Fred Bigalow,
former sheriff.
Mrs. Bigalow was born in Wilson
and lived in Lockport for 30 years.
She was an active worker In the
•Methodist churches in Wilson and
Lockport.
'She is survived by one son, Ellsworth.
Wilson; two sister, Mary
Ball. Lockport, and Anna Townsend,
Chicago. Ill.; four grandchildren
and one great grandchild.
The funeral will be held from the
home of her son. Ellsworth, Wilson,
at 3:30 pan. Friday. Interment will
be at the Wilson cemetery.

Notes:

Lockport NY Daily Journal - 11/13/1883

One of the occasions to be long remembered
took place on the 8th of November
at the residence of the bride's father, Mr.
F. Bobzien, ou the east road, town of Wilton.
About half-past 1 P. M. numerous
carriages arrived, and at 2 o'clock the
house Was tilled with friends and relatives
of the groom and bride to witness the marriage
of Mr. Lanson Biglow to Miss Emma
Bobzien. At 2 o'clock the sound of
appropriate music from the organ brought
all to order. The groom and bride being
lu-althy and strong, marched without assistance
to an evergreen arch- where a
white rose horseshoe hung over their
heads. The marriage ceremony was performed
by Rev. Mr, Bickly, of Wilson
village, after which the relatives and
friends offered them hearty congratulations.
All then resorted tothedining-room. when
the tables, laden with abundance of
rich goodies, loaned under overhanging
evergreens made it seem as though no
frost" had been, save that which sparkled
over the rich cakes. After partaking to
our full capacity, each family representative
was provided with a package, containing
all kinds of cake, to carry home for
another feast. The happy pair took an
early start to visit distant "friends, aud the
company returned home, feeling that another
happy home had beeu begun. The
preseuts were rich, beautiful aud
useful. The following is the list:
Mr. and Mrs. Sweet, glass cake stand; Miss
Sarah Bobzien, a silver tea set; Miss Anna
Bobzien, 1 doz. silver teaspoons; Miss. Alberiina
Bobzien, table linen; Miss Mary
Bobzien, bedspread; Miss Huttie Bobzien,
glass water pitcher; Master Johiiie Bobzien,
tablespreati; Master Willie Bobzien,
coffee pot; Mr. and Mrs. J . L. Pavison, a
pair of magnificent oil paiutiugs, the work
of W. P. Davison of Loekport, also a
Scarlet Tangier; the Misses Smith, a glass
teasel; Mr. and Mrs F. Clark, an elegant
ebony trained mirror; Miss Ruby Gaylord
and Miss Hattie Maynard, a pair of china
vases; Miss Mary Uayiord, a tidy; Mrs. E.
Nicholls, a pair of pickle casters; Mr. aud
Mrs J. G. Markle, table caster; Mr. and
Mrs. W. Streeter, table caster; Mr. W.
Weatherald and lady, table caster.

Ransom + Cordelia. Cordelia was born about 1829 in New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Fred + Theresa. Theresa was born about 1832 in Austria; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]