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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ORVIS F. BIGELOW, M.D., a prominent physician of Amherst, was born in Perkinsville, town of Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vt., September 1, 1835, son of Barnay and Joanna (Nichols) Bigelow. Dr. Bigelow is a descendant of John Bigelow, who was born in England in 1616, and settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1632.

Dr. Bigelow’s great-grandparents were Solomon and Sarah (Newton) Bigelow, who were residents of Shrewsbury, Mass. His grandfather, Silas Bigelow, was born in Shrewsbury, December 24, 1766. He became an early settler in Perkinsville, Vt., where he followed agriculture the greater part of his life, and was classed among the most successful farmers of his day. He was a sturdy and industrious man and a useful citizen. He died in Perkinsville, aged sixty-six years. He was a member of the Baptist church. His family of six children all grew to maturity; and of these Barnay Bigelow, Dr. Bigelow’s father, was the eldest.

Deacon Barnay Bigelow was born in Perkinsville in 1794. He adopted agriculture as an occupation, which he followed successfully through life, and, after succeeding to the possession of his father’s farm, resided there until his death. He was a Whig in politics, and was active in town affairs. In his religious belief he was a Baptist, and was a Deacon of that church. Barnay Bigelow died in Perkinsville in 1858. His wife, Joanna Nichols before marriage, who was born in Perkinsville in 1796, became the mother of five children, as follows: Pharcellus K., who now resides in Antioch, Cal.; Carlton B., of Springfield, Mass.; Orvis F., the subject of this sketch; Adoniram, who died aged seventy years; and Elizabeth, who died aged twenty years. The mother died in 1876.

Orvis F. Bigelow passed his boyhood in assisting his father upon the farm. He commenced his education in the schools of his native town; and at the age of eighteen he attended the New Hampton Institute in Fairfax, Vt., where he prepared for his collegiate course. He then entered the University of Vermont in Burlington, where he studied a thorough course of medicine, and graduated with the class of 1862. He began the practice of his profession the same year in Brandon, Vt.; and, after residing there for three years, he came to Amherst, where he has since conducted a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. Bigelow is at the present time the oldest medical practitioner in Amherst. He is skilful and reliable, and possesses the esteem and confidence of the general public. He is a Republican in politics.

On July 8, 1863, Dr. Bigelow was united in marriage to Mary Pingry, daughter of William M. Pingry, of Weathersfield, Vt. Dr. and Mrs. Bigelow had six children, as follows: Jessie E., born August 20, 1864; William P., born March 29, 1867; Frank B., born February 7, 1869; Lucy M., born July 14, 1872; Fred C., born June 30, 1875; and Edward Rutherford, born February 18, 1877, who died January 14, 1894. Dr. Bigelow is a member of the State and Hampshire District Medical Societies, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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