Walter C. Bigelow | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From Volume II (1913) ofNew England Families, Genealogical and Memorial | |
| Mayor ofBurlington, Vermont | |
| In office 1907–1909 | |
| Preceded by | James Edmund Burke |
| Succeeded by | James Edmund Burke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1865-01-22)January 22, 1865 |
| Died | May 2, 1935(1935-05-02) (aged 70) |
| Resting place | West Branch Cemetery, Stowe, Vermont |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Florence E. Mooney (m. 1895-1935, his death) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Vermont (attended) |
| Profession | Newspaper editor and publisher |
Walter J. Bigelow (January 22, 1865 - May 2, 1935) was an American newspaper editor, author, and politician fromVermont. ARepublican, he was most notable for serving asmayor ofBurlington from 1907 to 1909 and owning and publishing theSt. Johnsbury Caledonian from 1913 to 1918.
Walter Josephus Bigelow was born inStowe, Vermont on January 22, 1865, the son of Phineas N. Bigelow and Charlotte E. (Munn) Bigelow.[1] He was educated in the public schools of Stowe, and graduated fromMontpelier Seminary inMontpelier in 1889.[1] He received his qualification as a teacher, and taught school for two years before beginning college studies.[1] He attended theUniversity of Vermont inBurlington for three years as a member of the class of 1895, but left before graduating to begin a career in the newspaper business.[1]
While attending college, Bigelow worked on the night shift in the editorial room ofThe Burlington Free Press.[1] In 1894, he was appointed the newspaper's night editor.[1] He held this position he held until 1909.[1] Bigelow was also theFree Press journalist assigned to report on the 1897 session of theVermont General Assembly.[2] A talented orator, Bigelow was frequently called upon to speak at public events includingMemorial Day celebrations and rallies held in support of U.S. involvement in theSpanish–American War.[3][4]
ARepublican, in 1898 Bigelow was appointed to the legislature's Vermont Commission on Double Taxation, a special panel that investigated state laws which subjected to state tax both mortgages used to purchase real estate and the real estate used to secure the mortgages.[5] In 1900, the commission submitted recommendations to address the issue, many of which were adopted in subsequent legislative sessions.[5]
In March 1906, Bigelow was the Republican Party's unsuccessful nominee for mayor.[6] In June 1906, he served as chairman of theVermont Republican Party's state convention.[7] In 1907, he again received the Republican nomination formayor ofBurlington.[8] He defeated incumbentJames Edmund Burke and served one term, 1907 to 1909, the first two-year mayoral term created as the result of a change to the city charter.[9] He was a candidate for reelection in 1909 and lost to Burke by 18 votes, 1,658 to 1,640.[10]
After leaving office, Bigelow purchased theSt. Johnsbury Caledonian newspaper in 1909.[5] In 1910 he purchased the Ranlet Press, a St. Johnsbury publishing business.[5] Bigelow operated both ventures until 1918.[5] DuringWorld War I, Bigelow was a member of Vermont's Public Safety Committee.[5]
Bigelow was an author, and his published works includedVermont: Its Government, an annual publication of the early 1900s to mid-1950s for which Bigelow was responsible from 1919 to 1933.[5] He was also the author of a work about his hometown, 1934'sHistory of Stowe, Vermont.[5] In 1919, Bigelow left St. Johnsbury and accepted an editorial position with theBrattleboro Reformer newspaper inBrattleboro.[5]
Bigelow remained with the Reformer until 1933, when he moved toHartford, Connecticut.[5] In December 1934 he was struck by a car while crossing the street and his injuries included a broken hip.[5] He died in Hartford on May 2, 1935.[5] Bigelow was buried at West Branch Cemetery in Stowe.[5]
In 1895, Bigelow married Florence E. Mooney (1868-1956) ofMansonville, Quebec,Canada.[1] They were the parents of a daughter, Ruth Barr (1899-1959), who was the wife of Clarence C. Mooney (d. 1956).[1]