BIOGRAPHY OF THOMAS H. BIGNELL

Thomas H. BIGNELL, a prominent citizen and representative agriculturist of

Ottawa County, Mich., resides upon a magnificent farm of two hundred and

ten acres, containing some of the finest land in Grand Haven Township.

Financially prospered and regarded as a man of sterling integrity of

character, Mr. Bignell has occupied important local positions of trust and

firmly holds the confidence of all his fellow-townsmen. His father, John

Bignell, born in 1794, came to this country in 1815, and was sent on Lake

Ontario, engaged in the British service, during the War of 1812. Near the

close of the war, in company with several comrades, John Bignell deserted

the British ranks and leaving Lewiston, on the Niagara River, rowed across

the lake in an open boat, and remaining together, safely arrived in Monroe

County, N. Y., where they separated. The father remained in that part of

the Empire State, and later married in Monroe County, in 1819, Miss Jane

Spratt, a most estimable woman, a native of Ireland. Emigrating with her

parents to America when only a little child, she received her education in

New York and there attained to womanhood. The parents settled in Monroe

County and there the father made his residence until in 1838, with his

family, he journeyed to the West and located in Michigan. Permanently

settling in Oakland County, John Bignell became one of the prosperous

farmers of the Wolverine State and in 1870, esteemed by all who knew him,

passed away, mourned as a public loss. Our subject was the eldest of a

family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, but three of whom are

now living. The brothers and sisters were: Thomas H., George, Mary,

Rebecca, Eliza, James, John, Jane, Candace and Judson. Those surviving are

Thomas H., John and Mary, Mrs. Fish, who resides in Ottawa County, Mich.

Thomas H. was born in the year 1820, in Monroe County, N. Y., and in that

locality passed the days of early youth, being eighteen years of age when

he accompanied his father's family to Oakland County. He resided in that

portion of the State for some seven years, and in 1845 was married in Ionia

county, Mich., to Miss Ann Jaenette Dexter, a lady of superior ability and

fine character. She survived her marriage but four years and died without

issue. Lamented by many friends she entered into rest in Ionia County, in

the year 1849. Not long after the demise of this wife our subject entered

the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was following this

vocation in Shiawassee County, when he met the lady destined to become his

second wife, Miss Mary Dowell. Mrs. Bignell is a native of England and

emigrated with her parents to this country at the age of four or five

years, the first home of Mr. and Mrs. Dowell in the Wolverine State being

near Ypsilanti. Shortly after his second marriage our subject engaged in

teaching school in Portland, Ionia County, Mich., but after teaching for a

twelvemonth again resumed the duties of the ministry, and continued to

preach the Word for fifteen years, mostly in southwestern Michigan. About

1865, Mr. Bignell engaged in the foundry business in Ionia, and continued

to conduct the foundry six years, then profitably selling out and later

removing to Ottawa County, where he at once purchased and located upon his

valuable farm. A successful agriculturist, he has likewise devoted a

portion of his time to the service of the public and has with efficiency

discharged the duties of Highway Commissioner, School Inspector and Justice

of the Peace. Politically a Republican from the formation of the party,

our subject cast his first vote for Fremont, and clings with earnestness to

the principles of the "Party of Reform." The four children who have

blessed the second marriage of Mr. Bignell are Ann Jaenette; James L., John

W. and Jamies. Ann Jaenette married the Rev. G. L. Pearson, and resides in

Phoenix, Ariz. John W. lives at home; Jamies is a citizen of Muskegon, and

married the eldest daughter of Charles Clark. The second born, James L.,

is deceased. Our subject, his worthy wife, daughter and sons are all

occupying positions of useful influence, and socially command the high

regard of a host of friends. Mr. Bignell -- a man of acknowledged business

ability -- is to-day ranked among the leading men and substantial citizens

of Ottawa County.

Page 392 Portrait and biographical record
Submitted by Doris Rake & Bill Moore
URL: http://ottawa.migenweb.net/biographies/1893/bignell.html