Pennsylvania Historical Marker in Perry County

William Bigler

WILLIAM BIGLER

Governor of Pennsylvania, 1852-55; birthplace, about one mile west of here. In office he opposed the chartering of wildcat banks and passage of “omnibus” bills. U.S. Senator, 1856-1861. A brother, John, also born here, was Governor of California, 1852-56.

Junction PA 34 and 850, Drumgold. Erected July 3, 1951.

William Bigler was born December 31, 1813 in Spring Township. He married the daughter of Alexander B. Reed in 1836 and went to work for Mr. Reed in the lumber business. He had five children to his wife. His hard work in the company made it the leading lumber producing company in the state from 1845 to 1850. In 1841, he was nominated for a seat in the state senate from the district containing Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, and Clearfield counties. Two years later, Mr. Bigler was elected the speaker of the senate. He won the party’s nomination for governor in 1851. During this time and throughout his time as governor, topics like the Fugitive Slave Law were hot topics and lead to much debate in the political world. Unfortunately, in 1854, he was defeated for reelection as governor.

This was not the end of his political career. In January of 1855, he became the President of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company. Later that same year, he was elected to the United States Senate where he served a term of six years. In 1876, he served as the financial agent of the Centennial Celebration of our nation. William Bigler died on August 9, 1880.

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