Andrew Crague (Craig, Craigie, Creg) Biglow was born on March 18, 1838, in Essex County, New York. By 1850, his family was enumerated in Farmer Township, Defiance County, Ohio. A.C. Biglow, 45, and Eliza, 47, his parents, were joined by Jane, 17; Samuel, 15; Andrew C., 12; Thomas C; Mary E, 7; and Carlton, 3. George Brainard, 21, also lived with the family for farm labor.
Andrew C. could not be located on the 1860 census, but Defiance County records noted his marriage on April 20, 1861, to Matilda McDonald. He felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in Company A, 38th O.V.I. on February 27, 1864 (possible error in year on pension card) where he served until the end of the war, mustering out on July 12, 1865. On the 1890 census, he reported that he served one year, four months and sixteen days, and his only disability was "piles."
The Biglow family settled into farming in Farmer Township, By 1870, they had children, Carrie, Laura A. and Clarence. Boarding with them were the Smithy family which consisted of Mary J. Smithy, 28, and her children, Oney N., 7, and Rachel A., 3. Andrew was doing well on the farm with real estate worth stated at $5000 - quite a sum for 1870.
The family was found again in the 1880 census and in 1900 where Matilda reported that she had had eight children, but just five had survived to that date. Only one child remained at home in 1900 - Gertie, 18, born October, 1881, who worked filling cans at the tomato canning factory.
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| Matilda McDonald Biglow, idenfified in a public ancestry tree |
Andrew retired from farming before the 1910 census. Sometime between 1910 and 1920, Matilda Biglow passed away and Andrew went to live with his daughter, Clara.
The 1920 census of Farmer Township noted Madison Blosser, 62, wife Clara, 57, Laura Martin, his sister-in-law (Clara's sister) and Creg Biglow, his father-in-law, widowed, 81.
Andrew Crague Biglow died on October 8, 1921 in Farmer Township. His obituary appeared in the Bryan Press on October 20, 1921:
"ANDREW CRAGUE BIGLOW
Andrew Crague Biglow was born in Essex county, New York, March 18, 1838, and was the fifth of a family of 8 children, born to the marriage of Andrew C. Biglow, Sr. and Eliza J. Hyde, who with their family moved to Ohio and settled in Farmer township in 1839 and where the subject of this sketch has continued to reside for more than 82 years.
In early manhood, he was united in marriage to Matilda McDonald who preceded him in death April 2, 1915. To this union were born eight children, three of whom died in childhood, leaving Clara Blosser and Laura Martin, both of Farmer, Pete C. and Artie M., of Michigan and Gertrude Marckell now residing in the West. Thirteen grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his death.
He served in Co. A 38th O.V.I. and at the close of the Civil War returned to his house and resumed his labor of farming until his retirement of active life in 1909. He was an exemplary citizen, a good and accomodating neighbor, a kind and indulgent husband and father and a true friend in every way. Departed this life at the home of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Madison Blosser, October 8, 1921, aged 82 years, 9 months and 20 days."
Andrew Biglow was a member of the Lew Bowker Post of the G.A.R., #725, Farmer, Ohio.
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| Farmer Cemetery, Farmer Township, Defiance County, Ohio |
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