History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

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HISTORY OF DETROIT

he lived upon his parents' farm until he had finished school at Redford.
Coming to Detroit, he finished his education for a business career in Goldsmith's Business College. After graduating therefrom he entered the
service of his brother, who was in the lumber business, in the capacity
of bookkeeper. Several years later he engaged in the grocery business
for himself on Cass street, where he continued to build up trade with
great success for eight years, when he was forced to sell out and retire
on account of ill health. Feeling stronger after a rest, he opened a
grocery store on Woodward avenue, near High street, which he continued for three years, when he was again broken down in health, and
was once more forced to sell out and retire from active business. This
was the last effort he was able to make and he lived in retirement until
his death, in 1899. His remains rest in Woodmere cemetery.
Mr. Bigelow was never very active in politics, nor was he a great
lover of the lodge meeting nights, being content to spend his time with
his family under his own roof. He was an affectionate husband and
father. He was a member of the Baptist church. He was maried to
Miss Ida Helena Norton, a daughter of John and Helena (McCune)
Norton, early settlers of Detroit. Her father was one of the pioneer
grocery store keepers of this city. He was a prominent Democrat and
served as alderman many years ago. Her mother died on July 24, 1911,
aged ninety-one years. She was born in Belfast, Ireland. Mrs. Bigelow
was married in Detroit, March 26, 1876, and as a result of this union
three children were born: Mable Keir, who married Clayton Riley,
of Detroit; Grace Helena, who married Alexander Northwood, of Detroit, and is the mother of one child, Harold Galey; and William Carlus,
of Detroit, all of whom were graduates of the Detroit high school.
Mrs. Bigelow was born in Detroit and has always lived here. She
and her children are all members of the Forest Avenue Presbyterian
church. She was, so to speak, born in the woods, at what is now Bagley
and Grand River avenues, in a small grocery store kept by her father.
It was then on the outskirts of the city and was surrounded by stretches
of timber.
CHARLES WARDLOW NORTON. Of large proportions, mentally and
physically, it is doubtful if Detroit ever had within its borders a more
popular man, and justly so, than Charles W. Norton, the big hearted
grain broker, wit of the Board of Trade, generous friend and estimable
citizen, and-when he died, February 18, 1901, it was a shock to the community and a blow to his friends. "The characteristic by which Mr.
Norton was best known was his large-heartedness." This editorial comment of the Detroit Free Press, a single sentence taken from a long
article, expresses the feelings of every one who knew him. Continuing
the tribute, the article says:
"In the old days when his income was as high as that of rich men's
sons, he was free with his money, perhaps too free for the good of his
pocketbook. The poor and needy always met a ready affirmative when
they approached him with an appeal for assistance, and there is little
doubt that he was often imposed upon. He was in his element when
seated at table with a company of kindred spirits, telling stories and
singing songs, at both of which he was an adept. It was from this very
generosity and love of companionship, combined with his skill as an
entertainer, that his income from chartering vessels from this city to
lower lake ports with grain was due. Along the docks he knew all
about the grain schooners without exception, the men who owned them
and the men who sailed them. They all knew him, and liked him too,
and though he had rivals from time to time in the grain chartering busi