John Bigler was an American lawyer, politician and diplomat. He was the U. S. Minister to Chile from 1857 to 1861.
Background
John Bigler was born on January 8, 1805, near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of Susan (Dock) Bigler and Jacob Bigler, a farmer, he came of a German family which had been in America for over a hundred years and had been represented by both paternal and maternal grandfathers in the Revolutionary War.
Education
John's education was interrupted after his entrance into Dickinson College by the removal of the family to Mercer County, where his father apprenticed him to a printer. Later he took up the study of law.
Career
In 1827 John undertook the editorship of the Centre County Democrat, located at Bellefonte, where he remained for the next five years. He then was admitted to the bar and removed some years later to Mount Sterling, Illinois, where he continued his practise. Caught by the spirit of the Gold Rush in the spring of 1849, he set out with an overland company bound for California. With him he took his wife, a woman none too strong for the severe undertaking, and his infant daughter. The journey, made by ox-team and covered wagon, ended at Sacramento on August 31. To Mrs. Bigler belonged the honor of being the first white woman to make her home in Sacramento.
Bigler found no opportunity in the small, disorganized community to practise his profession; and, as he was without funds with which to maintain his family, he turned his hand to whatever came along. He found employment with an auctioneer for a time; later he cut wood in the adjoining country, bringing it into town for sale; he unloaded river steamers; and finally secured a contract with a Sacramento merchant to make up a number of calico comforters, for which he received in partial remuneration calico for dresses for his wife and daughter.
Bigler's position in the community appears not to have suffered because of his humble pursuits, and in November 1849 he was elected to the Assembly of the first state legislature. This body convened at San José on December 16, 1849, and proceeded to complete the organization of the state government. Bigler served as assemblyman for two terms and was twice chosen speaker of that body. In 1851 he was elected governor on the Democratic ticket and two years later was reelected. He ran for a third time, but was defeated. President Buchanan, shortly after his inauguration, appointed Bigler United States minister to Chile. This post Bigler held for four years, during which he was instrumental in effecting the settlement of a number of long-standing and troublesome questions.
In 1861 Biggs returned to California and resumed the practise of law. A year later, he was persuaded to run on the Democratic ticket for Congress but was defeated. He never again held public office but remained active in the affairs of his party and served three times as delegate to the national Democratic convention. His death occurred on November 29, 1871. During his lifetime he had commanded general respect. His sympathetic understanding of the needs of the new settlers had made him also much beloved; and his achievements in the field of politics had added materially to the success of the party to which he gave his loyalty.
Achievements
Politics
John Bigler was a member of the Democtaric Party. He also served as the 2nd Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1850 to 1851.
Connections
Biggs was married to Elizabeth Graham. They had one daughter.