First wife of Melville Bigelow. Married 27 October 1869 Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow Dies This Morning—Her Character a Noble One.
Again death ahs visited this community and removed one prominent in religious and social circles. No mere words can fittingly express the life of her, whose passing away is chronicled. No human language seems at this time appropriate to speak of her, who no longer responds to human voice.
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow was a rare woman, one whose high sense of honor and duty rendered her life beautiful. Her death which occurred at twenty minutes past four this morning was fearless. An Intense sympathy for sorrow and suffering rendered her life one of devotion to any one who needed her care and personal presence and self sacrifice for often seemed inherent. Life to her meant more than a simple existence. It meant a preparation for something above and beyond. Her deep, religious nature gave to her a fine perception of duty and a spiritual insight permeated her entire life. Her religion was not a weight, but a leavening power that made her character what it was. In the life of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow was exemplified the true nobility of womanhood, bringing out its possibilities. Her tenderness to all in affliction was one with her love for humanity. Her mental and moral superiority did not lessen in any degree her love and appreciation of the happiness of living, and those who knew and loved Mrs. Bigelow in her social life have lost a friend who always looked on the bright side of life and enjoyed its pleasures. Her sense of humor was keen and she was in all ways a most companionable woman. Her life is a living lesson to young women and her influence lives on. Said a young girl this morning when told that Mrs. Bigelow had passed away: "She has earned her place in heaven." That was a sincere and touching tribute from the lips of one who had known, respected and admired the deceased.
Mn. Melville J. Bigelow was born in Kalamazoo Sept 25, 1847, and has always resided in this city. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Jane Darling and she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Darling. She was married to Mr. Melville J. Bigelow Oct. 27, 1869. One child was born to them, their daughter Nellie, who died in 1873 at the age of six months. Her husband has the sympathy of the entire community in his bereavement as have also her mother, Mrs. R.. H Darling, her sisters, Mrs. J. F. Churchill and Miss Emma Darling and her brother, Mrs. R.H. Darling of Kansas City, Mo., her niece, Mrs. W.J. Babcock and her nephew, Mr. Chas Churchill who was as a son to her as she brought him up from young boyhood.
About twenty years ago, Mrs. Bigelow united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which she has been a most devoted member, and in which she had been a faithful and successful Sunday school Teacher. Mrs. Bigelow was a member of the board of managers of the Children's Home and an active worker in the young Women's Christian association. She was a member of the ladies' Library club, where she will be greatly missed. For some years Mrs. Bigelow has been in failing health and for a year or two a bronchial trouble has been developing and for the past four months her many friends have been very solicitous as to the termination disease. In July her husband took her to the Adirondacks, where she remained about six weeks, hoping that the mountain air would benefit her, but since her return it was seen that no human aid could restore her to health. During her illness her fortitude, patience and courage were something remarkable, and her Christian patience but another exponent of the higher life that was made manifest in her earthly career. Those who were the more intimately acquainted with Mrs. Bigelow can testify that
"A nobler heart never breathed,
A kindlier face never faced its god,
A purer soul never sought the bosom of its maker."
The funeral of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow will be from her late residence, 813 west Lovell street Wednesday at 2 p. m.
A telegram has been received stating that Messrs. R. H. Darling and Chas. W. Churchill will arrive tomorrow afternoon from Kansas City. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph December 2, 1891 page 1
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow Dies This Morning—Her Character a Noble One.
Again death ahs visited this community and removed one prominent in religious and social circles. No mere words can fittingly express the life of her, whose passing away is chronicled. No human language seems at this time appropriate to speak of her, who no longer responds to human voice.
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow was a rare woman, one whose high sense of honor and duty rendered her life beautiful. Her death which occurred at twenty minutes past four this morning was fearless. An Intense sympathy for sorrow and suffering rendered her life one of devotion to any one who needed her care and personal presence and self sacrifice for often seemed inherent. Life to her meant more than a simple existence. It meant a preparation for something above and beyond. Her deep, religious nature gave to her a fine perception of duty and a spiritual insight permeated her entire life. Her religion was not a weight, but a leavening power that made her character what it was. In the life of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow was exemplified the true nobility of womanhood, bringing out its possibilities. Her tenderness to all in affliction was one with her love for humanity. Her mental and moral superiority did not lessen in any degree her love and appreciation of the happiness of living, and those who knew and loved Mrs. Bigelow in her social life have lost a friend who always looked on the bright side of life and enjoyed its pleasures. Her sense of humor was keen and she was in all ways a most companionable woman. Her life is a living lesson to young women and her influence lives on. Said a young girl this morning when told that Mrs. Bigelow had passed away: "She has earned her place in heaven." That was a sincere and touching tribute from the lips of one who had known, respected and admired the deceased.
Mn. Melville J. Bigelow was born in Kalamazoo Sept 25, 1847, and has always resided in this city. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Jane Darling and she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Darling. She was married to Mr. Melville J. Bigelow Oct. 27, 1869. One child was born to them, their daughter Nellie, who died in 1873 at the age of six months. Her husband has the sympathy of the entire community in his bereavement as have also her mother, Mrs. R.. H Darling, her sisters, Mrs. J. F. Churchill and Miss Emma Darling and her brother, Mrs. R.H. Darling of Kansas City, Mo., her niece, Mrs. W.J. Babcock and her nephew, Mr. Chas Churchill who was as a son to her as she brought him up from young boyhood.
About twenty years ago, Mrs. Bigelow united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which she has been a most devoted member, and in which she had been a faithful and successful Sunday school Teacher. Mrs. Bigelow was a member of the board of managers of the Children's Home and an active worker in the young Women's Christian association. She was a member of the ladies' Library club, where she will be greatly missed. For some years Mrs. Bigelow has been in failing health and for a year or two a bronchial trouble has been developing and for the past four months her many friends have been very solicitous as to the termination disease. In July her husband took her to the Adirondacks, where she remained about six weeks, hoping that the mountain air would benefit her, but since her return it was seen that no human aid could restore her to health. During her illness her fortitude, patience and courage were something remarkable, and her Christian patience but another exponent of the higher life that was made manifest in her earthly career. Those who were the more intimately acquainted with Mrs. Bigelow can testify that
"A nobler heart never breathed,
A kindlier face never faced its god,
A purer soul never sought the bosom of its maker."
The funeral of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow will be from her late residence, 813 west Lovell street Wednesday at 2 p. m.
A telegram has been received stating that Messrs. R. H. Darling and Chas. W. Churchill will arrive tomorrow afternoon from Kansas City. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph December 2, 1891 page 1
First wife of Melville Bigelow. Married 27 October 1869 Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow Dies This Morning—Her Character a Noble One.
Again death ahs visited this community and removed one prominent in religious and social circles. No mere words can fittingly express the life of her, whose passing away is chronicled. No human language seems at this time appropriate to speak of her, who no longer responds to human voice.
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow was a rare woman, one whose high sense of honor and duty rendered her life beautiful. Her death which occurred at twenty minutes past four this morning was fearless. An Intense sympathy for sorrow and suffering rendered her life one of devotion to any one who needed her care and personal presence and self sacrifice for often seemed inherent. Life to her meant more than a simple existence. It meant a preparation for something above and beyond. Her deep, religious nature gave to her a fine perception of duty and a spiritual insight permeated her entire life. Her religion was not a weight, but a leavening power that made her character what it was. In the life of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow was exemplified the true nobility of womanhood, bringing out its possibilities. Her tenderness to all in affliction was one with her love for humanity. Her mental and moral superiority did not lessen in any degree her love and appreciation of the happiness of living, and those who knew and loved Mrs. Bigelow in her social life have lost a friend who always looked on the bright side of life and enjoyed its pleasures. Her sense of humor was keen and she was in all ways a most companionable woman. Her life is a living lesson to young women and her influence lives on. Said a young girl this morning when told that Mrs. Bigelow had passed away: "She has earned her place in heaven." That was a sincere and touching tribute from the lips of one who had known, respected and admired the deceased.
Mn. Melville J. Bigelow was born in Kalamazoo Sept 25, 1847, and has always resided in this city. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Jane Darling and she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Darling. She was married to Mr. Melville J. Bigelow Oct. 27, 1869. One child was born to them, their daughter Nellie, who died in 1873 at the age of six months. Her husband has the sympathy of the entire community in his bereavement as have also her mother, Mrs. R.. H Darling, her sisters, Mrs. J. F. Churchill and Miss Emma Darling and her brother, Mrs. R.H. Darling of Kansas City, Mo., her niece, Mrs. W.J. Babcock and her nephew, Mr. Chas Churchill who was as a son to her as she brought him up from young boyhood.
About twenty years ago, Mrs. Bigelow united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which she has been a most devoted member, and in which she had been a faithful and successful Sunday school Teacher. Mrs. Bigelow was a member of the board of managers of the Children's Home and an active worker in the young Women's Christian association. She was a member of the ladies' Library club, where she will be greatly missed. For some years Mrs. Bigelow has been in failing health and for a year or two a bronchial trouble has been developing and for the past four months her many friends have been very solicitous as to the termination disease. In July her husband took her to the Adirondacks, where she remained about six weeks, hoping that the mountain air would benefit her, but since her return it was seen that no human aid could restore her to health. During her illness her fortitude, patience and courage were something remarkable, and her Christian patience but another exponent of the higher life that was made manifest in her earthly career. Those who were the more intimately acquainted with Mrs. Bigelow can testify that
"A nobler heart never breathed,
A kindlier face never faced its god,
A purer soul never sought the bosom of its maker."
The funeral of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow will be from her late residence, 813 west Lovell street Wednesday at 2 p. m.
A telegram has been received stating that Messrs. R. H. Darling and Chas. W. Churchill will arrive tomorrow afternoon from Kansas City. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph December 2, 1891 page 1
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow Dies This Morning—Her Character a Noble One.
Again death ahs visited this community and removed one prominent in religious and social circles. No mere words can fittingly express the life of her, whose passing away is chronicled. No human language seems at this time appropriate to speak of her, who no longer responds to human voice.
Mrs. Melville J. Bigelow was a rare woman, one whose high sense of honor and duty rendered her life beautiful. Her death which occurred at twenty minutes past four this morning was fearless. An Intense sympathy for sorrow and suffering rendered her life one of devotion to any one who needed her care and personal presence and self sacrifice for often seemed inherent. Life to her meant more than a simple existence. It meant a preparation for something above and beyond. Her deep, religious nature gave to her a fine perception of duty and a spiritual insight permeated her entire life. Her religion was not a weight, but a leavening power that made her character what it was. In the life of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow was exemplified the true nobility of womanhood, bringing out its possibilities. Her tenderness to all in affliction was one with her love for humanity. Her mental and moral superiority did not lessen in any degree her love and appreciation of the happiness of living, and those who knew and loved Mrs. Bigelow in her social life have lost a friend who always looked on the bright side of life and enjoyed its pleasures. Her sense of humor was keen and she was in all ways a most companionable woman. Her life is a living lesson to young women and her influence lives on. Said a young girl this morning when told that Mrs. Bigelow had passed away: "She has earned her place in heaven." That was a sincere and touching tribute from the lips of one who had known, respected and admired the deceased.
Mn. Melville J. Bigelow was born in Kalamazoo Sept 25, 1847, and has always resided in this city. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Jane Darling and she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus H. Darling. She was married to Mr. Melville J. Bigelow Oct. 27, 1869. One child was born to them, their daughter Nellie, who died in 1873 at the age of six months. Her husband has the sympathy of the entire community in his bereavement as have also her mother, Mrs. R.. H Darling, her sisters, Mrs. J. F. Churchill and Miss Emma Darling and her brother, Mrs. R.H. Darling of Kansas City, Mo., her niece, Mrs. W.J. Babcock and her nephew, Mr. Chas Churchill who was as a son to her as she brought him up from young boyhood.
About twenty years ago, Mrs. Bigelow united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which she has been a most devoted member, and in which she had been a faithful and successful Sunday school Teacher. Mrs. Bigelow was a member of the board of managers of the Children's Home and an active worker in the young Women's Christian association. She was a member of the ladies' Library club, where she will be greatly missed. For some years Mrs. Bigelow has been in failing health and for a year or two a bronchial trouble has been developing and for the past four months her many friends have been very solicitous as to the termination disease. In July her husband took her to the Adirondacks, where she remained about six weeks, hoping that the mountain air would benefit her, but since her return it was seen that no human aid could restore her to health. During her illness her fortitude, patience and courage were something remarkable, and her Christian patience but another exponent of the higher life that was made manifest in her earthly career. Those who were the more intimately acquainted with Mrs. Bigelow can testify that
"A nobler heart never breathed,
A kindlier face never faced its god,
A purer soul never sought the bosom of its maker."
The funeral of Mrs. M. J. Bigelow will be from her late residence, 813 west Lovell street Wednesday at 2 p. m.
A telegram has been received stating that Messrs. R. H. Darling and Chas. W. Churchill will arrive tomorrow afternoon from Kansas City. Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph December 2, 1891 page 1
Inscription
Wife of M. J. Bigelow
Gravesite Details
Elizabeth's name is not on the headstone. Stone was lying on the ground at time of photo.
Family Members
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