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 ofcharacter, Mr. Bignell has occupied important local positions of trust andfirmly holds the confidence of all his fellow-townsmen.      His father, JohnBignell, born in 1794, came to this country in 1815, and was sent on LakeOntario, 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 JaneSpratt, a most estimable woman, a native of Ireland. Emigrating with her parents to America when only a little child, she received her education inNew York and there attained to womanhood. The parents settled in MonroeCounty 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 areThomas 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 twelve month again resumed the duties of the ministry, and continued to preach the Word for fifteen years, mostly in southwestern Michigan.      About1865, 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., JohnW. 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 businessability -- 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