[p. 578] plumber and dealer in plumbers' supplies, with business location at Nos. 48 to 54 South Croton Street, New Castle, is one of the city's enterprising and successful business men. He was born at New Castle December 3, 1854, and is a son of William B. and Martha A. Bigley.
The late William B. Bigley was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and died at New Castle in October, 1905, where he had been engaged in business as a merchant tailor for many years. His wife was born in Mercer County and died at New Castle, in August, 1904.
Edmund E. Bigley was reared and educated at New Castle, and in 1878 started to learn the plumbing business and completed his knowledge of the trade at Cleveland, in which city he lived for nine years. When he left Ohio he went to Pittsburg and followed a plumbing business there until 1892, when he came to New Castle and went to work for the firm that put up the steel plant at New Castle. In 1894 he entered the employ of Stevenson Bros. and continued with that firm for seven years. In 1900 occurred a strike which threw him out of employment, but he secured a political office—the taking of the census for the Third Ward—and when that duty was satisfactorily completed Mr. Bigley concluded to embark in a business of his own. His capital was limited, but he needed few equipments and found a workshop in a piano box, back of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company, which sufficed from July to October. In the interim he had been busy and then rented a room in Apple Alley, for which he paid $1 a week, in which he remained during the winter, and in the spring he was able to secure a satisfactory room on Neshannock Avenue and his business pressed him so hard that for a time he was obliged to take in a partner. At present he conducts it alone. His perseverance, courage and industry have brought him the success he now enjoys. In April, 1907, he settled in his present commodious quarters, where he carries a large stock and guarantees expert work.
While living at Cleveland Mr. Bigley was married to Miss Carrie M. Spieth, a daughter of Jacob Spieth. She was born and reared in Defiance County, Ohio, and died May 28, 1908, at New Castle. They had five children born to them, namely: Martha K., Mary G., Hazel Belle, Helen M., now deceased, and William Jacob. Mr. Bigley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 9 Nov 2001