Samuel Bigger
Encyclopedia
Samuel Bigger was the seventh Governor
of the U.S. state
of Indiana
from December 9, 1840 to December 6, 1843. Bigger was nominated to run for governor because he had no connection to the failed public works program. The state had entered a severe financial crisis in his predecessors term and the government became insolvent during his first year in office. He oversaw the state's bankruptcy negotiations, but the bankruptcy he negotiated was only able to return the state to solvency briefly. By the time of his reelection campaign, the Whig party had become the target of public blame for the debacle, and Bigger was defeated.
on March 20, 1802, the son of John Bigger, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War
and a Ohio House of Representatives
Speaker of the House. Because of his father he regularly encountered many of the leading men of the frontier. He attended a log cabin school in Ohio. As a boy, Bigger enjoyed reading books. At age eighteen he contracted a severe cold from which he nearly died. Because of the sickness he was constantly in poor health and his father decided he was unfit for manual labor on the farm and sent him to school where he could learn a profession. Bigger was enrolled as a student at Ohio University
in Athens, Ohio
in the 1820s where he studied law.
Bigger moved to Liberty, Indiana
in 1829 after completing school and entered a law practice. There he married to Ellen Williamson, the couple never had children. He lived only a short time in Liberty before moving to Rushville
where he began his public career. He was partnered in his law office with future United States Senator Oliver H. Smith
for a period of time, and later with James Whitcomb
and Joseph A. Wright
.
. He served three terms until 1835. He was not a great orator, but became known for his simple and straightforward method of speaking. He was narrowly defeated by James Gregory in the election of the house speaker in 1835. The same year he was appointed as a judge on the Indiana Circuit Court where he served until his election as governor.
During the time he was on the court, the state passed the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act to build canals, roads, and railroads across the state. Although the act met with celebration at first, the Panic of 1837
had devastated the economy just as the government had taken on a $10 million debt. The situation had spiraled out of control as Governor David Wallace had attempted to delay the collapse of the states finances and continue work on the projects, which led the debt to increase to $12 million. Along with other debts, the government owed more than $15 million. As the election approached, the Whig party decided to abandon the governor and run a candidate who had no connection to the failure.
candidate for Governor of Indiana
. He was opposed by Democrat candidate congressman Tilghman Howard
. The states financial status and the failed public work projects was the central debate of the campaign. Bigger claimed to have always opposed the projects, and promised to try and get the state out of its dire situation. Howard had been in the assembly and voted for the projects and was branded as a supporter of the failure. Despite the situation of the state, the election was overshadowed by territorial governor William Henry Harrison
's campaign for United States President. Years had passed since the state had repudiated his actions as governor, and he had become a popular historical figure and a folk legend in the state. The support he brought to the Whig ticket was enough to return the state Whig party to their final term of domination of state government. Whigs retained majorities in the General Assembly and Bigger defeated Tilgham, 62,932 to 54,274.
As Bigger came into office, the interest on the state debt alone was over $500,000 annually while state income was closer to $250,000. The states credit maxed out during his first year on office, and the state defaulted on its debts in July, leading the debt to grow even quicker. At first, Bigger recommended reforming the property tax system that provided the majority of the state's income. County boards were created to "equalize" property values used to set tax amounts. The result was a massive tax increase as much as 300% in some areas. The public outcry was so great, and so many people refused to pay their taxes, the system was repealed in the following year.
The governments primary hope of escaping the situation was to complete the projects, which they believed would produce income to start to cover their costs. The projects were prioritized and it was decided the most valuable project, the Wabash and Erie Canal
should receive all the available funds. A negotiator was sent to London
to negotiate with the state's creditors. The Whitewater Canal
, two other smaller canal projects, and the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad were transferred to the creditors in exchange for a 50% reduction in the debt they held, leaving the state owing a total debt of around $9 million. Despite the progress made, the debt was still more than the state could bear, but gained the state more time to try and deal with the problem.
A commission was created, which Bigger oversaw, to investigate the failure of the internal improvements
program. The commission alleged corruption of many of the contractors who worked on the projects, claimed the state was misled in many different areas, and was the victim of "imposition and fraud." In its summary, the state had significantly underestimated the costs of the projects, the time they would take to complete, and its own ability to pay for the debt. To complicate matter, no routes had been surveyed for many of the canal projects, which turned out to be unfeasible in the first place.
George H. Dunn
, to help in the compilation. Bigger was well qualified for the job with his background as a lawyer. His new code of laws
was passed almost immediately and overwhelming by the legislature in 1842.
In 1834 leaders of the Methodist church requested the Governor Bigger appoint Methodists to the board of Indiana University
, which was dominated by Presbyterians. Bigger himself was a Presbyterian and refused their request. During a legislative debate on the matter, Bigger said that there was "not a Methodist in American with sufficient learning to fill a professor's chair." He also said the Methodist Church did not require educated preachers, but rather uneducated better suited its members. The quote was printed in state newspapers, and Bigger became the subject of fiery sermons in Methodist churches across the state. Methodists outnumbered Presbyterians four to one in the state at that time, hurting Bigger's popularity. In his reelection campaign again Methodist James Whitcomb
. The church led mainly by Bishop Ames, campaigned heavily on behalf of Whitcomb. Ames was quoted as saying, "it is with the amen corner of the Methodist Church that defeated Governor Bigger, and I had a hand in that". Coupled with the blame the public placed on the Whigs for the state's financial situation, Bigger was overwhelming defeated by Whitcomb.
where he formed a new law practice with Joseph K. Edgerton. The Whig party attempted to nominate Bigger to run for governor again in the 1846 race for governor, but he declined the offer without giving an explanation. He suddenly became ill and died in his Fort Wayne home on September 9, 1846, aged 43, and was buried in that city's McCulloch Park
.
The U.S. 27 (Lafayette Street) bridge over the St. Marys River
in downtown Fort Wayne was renamed the Governor Samuel Bigger Memorial Bridge by a Resolution of the Indiana General Assembly authored by State Representative Mitchell Harper. Historian Gayle Thornbrough noted that Bigger was among the governor's who had the least impact on the events of the day, largely because of the state financial situation.
Governor of Indiana
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
from December 9, 1840 to December 6, 1843. Bigger was nominated to run for governor because he had no connection to the failed public works program. The state had entered a severe financial crisis in his predecessors term and the government became insolvent during his first year in office. He oversaw the state's bankruptcy negotiations, but the bankruptcy he negotiated was only able to return the state to solvency briefly. By the time of his reelection campaign, the Whig party had become the target of public blame for the debacle, and Bigger was defeated.
Family and background
Samuel Bigger was born in Franklin, OhioFranklin, Ohio
Not to be confused with Franklin County, Ohio.Franklin is a city in Warren County, Ohio, United States. The population was 11,771 at the 2010 census.-History:...
on March 20, 1802, the son of John Bigger, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and a Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
Speaker of the House. Because of his father he regularly encountered many of the leading men of the frontier. He attended a log cabin school in Ohio. As a boy, Bigger enjoyed reading books. At age eighteen he contracted a severe cold from which he nearly died. Because of the sickness he was constantly in poor health and his father decided he was unfit for manual labor on the farm and sent him to school where he could learn a profession. Bigger was enrolled as a student at Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in Athens, Ohio
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
in the 1820s where he studied law.
Bigger moved to Liberty, Indiana
Liberty, Indiana
Liberty is a town in Center Township, Union County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,061 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Union County.-Geography:Liberty is located at ....
in 1829 after completing school and entered a law practice. There he married to Ellen Williamson, the couple never had children. He lived only a short time in Liberty before moving to Rushville
Rushville, Indiana
Rushville is a city in Rushville Township, Rush County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,341 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Rush County. It was the campaign headquarters for Wendell Willkie's 1940 presidential campaign against Franklin D. Roosevelt. Willkie is buried...
where he began his public career. He was partnered in his law office with future United States Senator Oliver H. Smith
Oliver H. Smith
Oliver Hampton Smith was a United States Representative and Senator from Indiana. Born on Smith's Island, near Trenton, New Jersey, attended the common schools and moved west, eventually settling in Lawrenceburg, Indiana in 1818. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1820, commencing...
for a period of time, and later with James Whitcomb
James Whitcomb
James Whitcomb was a Democratic United States Senator and the eighth Governor of Indiana. As governor during the Mexican-American War, he oversaw the formation and deployment of the state's levies...
and Joseph A. Wright
Joseph A. Wright
Joseph Albert Wright was the tenth Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from December 5, 1849 to January 12, 1857, most noted for his opposition to banking. His positions created a rift between him and the Indiana General Assembly who overrode all of his anti-banking vetoes...
.
Legislator and judge
In 1833 Bigger was elected to the Indiana House of RepresentativesIndiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
. He served three terms until 1835. He was not a great orator, but became known for his simple and straightforward method of speaking. He was narrowly defeated by James Gregory in the election of the house speaker in 1835. The same year he was appointed as a judge on the Indiana Circuit Court where he served until his election as governor.
During the time he was on the court, the state passed the Mammoth Internal Improvement Act to build canals, roads, and railroads across the state. Although the act met with celebration at first, the Panic of 1837
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis or market correction in the United States built on a speculative fever. The end of the Second Bank of the United States had produced a period of runaway inflation, but on May 10, 1837 in New York City, every bank began to accept payment only in specie ,...
had devastated the economy just as the government had taken on a $10 million debt. The situation had spiraled out of control as Governor David Wallace had attempted to delay the collapse of the states finances and continue work on the projects, which led the debt to increase to $12 million. Along with other debts, the government owed more than $15 million. As the election approached, the Whig party decided to abandon the governor and run a candidate who had no connection to the failure.
Internal improvements
In 1840 Bigger was nominated to become the Whig PartyWhig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
candidate for Governor of Indiana
Governor of Indiana
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
. He was opposed by Democrat candidate congressman Tilghman Howard
Tilghman Howard
Tilghman Ashurst Howard was a U.S. Representative from Indiana. He was born near Pickensville, South Carolina. He moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1816 and was admitted to the bar there in 1818. In 1830 he moved to Bloomington, Indiana and in 1833 to Rockville, Indiana...
. The states financial status and the failed public work projects was the central debate of the campaign. Bigger claimed to have always opposed the projects, and promised to try and get the state out of its dire situation. Howard had been in the assembly and voted for the projects and was branded as a supporter of the failure. Despite the situation of the state, the election was overshadowed by territorial governor William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
's campaign for United States President. Years had passed since the state had repudiated his actions as governor, and he had become a popular historical figure and a folk legend in the state. The support he brought to the Whig ticket was enough to return the state Whig party to their final term of domination of state government. Whigs retained majorities in the General Assembly and Bigger defeated Tilgham, 62,932 to 54,274.
As Bigger came into office, the interest on the state debt alone was over $500,000 annually while state income was closer to $250,000. The states credit maxed out during his first year on office, and the state defaulted on its debts in July, leading the debt to grow even quicker. At first, Bigger recommended reforming the property tax system that provided the majority of the state's income. County boards were created to "equalize" property values used to set tax amounts. The result was a massive tax increase as much as 300% in some areas. The public outcry was so great, and so many people refused to pay their taxes, the system was repealed in the following year.
The governments primary hope of escaping the situation was to complete the projects, which they believed would produce income to start to cover their costs. The projects were prioritized and it was decided the most valuable project, the Wabash and Erie Canal
Wabash and Erie Canal
The Wabash and Erie Canal was a shipping canal that linked the Great Lakes to the Ohio River via an artificial waterway. The canal provided traders with access from the Great Lakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico...
should receive all the available funds. A negotiator was sent to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to negotiate with the state's creditors. The Whitewater Canal
Whitewater Canal
The Whitewater Canal, which was built between 1836 and 1847, spanned a distance of seventy-six miles and stretched from Lawrenceburg, Indiana on the Ohio River to Hagerstown, Indiana.-Birth of a canal:...
, two other smaller canal projects, and the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad were transferred to the creditors in exchange for a 50% reduction in the debt they held, leaving the state owing a total debt of around $9 million. Despite the progress made, the debt was still more than the state could bear, but gained the state more time to try and deal with the problem.
A commission was created, which Bigger oversaw, to investigate the failure of the internal improvements
Internal improvements
Internal improvements is the term used historically in the United States for public works from the end of the American Revolution through much of the 19th century, mainly for the creation of a transportation infrastructure: roads, turnpikes, canals, harbors and navigation improvements...
program. The commission alleged corruption of many of the contractors who worked on the projects, claimed the state was misled in many different areas, and was the victim of "imposition and fraud." In its summary, the state had significantly underestimated the costs of the projects, the time they would take to complete, and its own ability to pay for the debt. To complicate matter, no routes had been surveyed for many of the canal projects, which turned out to be unfeasible in the first place.
Legal reforms
In 1841, at the request of the state legislature, Bigger completely rewrote the states code of laws. Finding the job time consuming he employed the help of Indiana State TreasurerIndiana State Treasurer
The Indiana Treasurer of State is a constitutional and elected office in the executive branch of the government of Indiana. The treasurer is responsible for managing the finances of the U.S. state of Indiana. The position was filled by appointment from 1816 until the adoption of the new...
George H. Dunn
George H. Dunn
George Hedford Dunn was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born in New York City, Dunn moved to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1817.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and commenced practice in Lawrenceburg....
, to help in the compilation. Bigger was well qualified for the job with his background as a lawyer. His new code of laws
Indiana Code
The Indiana Code is the code of laws for the US State of Indiana. The contents are the codification of the all the laws currently in effect within Indiana...
was passed almost immediately and overwhelming by the legislature in 1842.
In 1834 leaders of the Methodist church requested the Governor Bigger appoint Methodists to the board of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, which was dominated by Presbyterians. Bigger himself was a Presbyterian and refused their request. During a legislative debate on the matter, Bigger said that there was "not a Methodist in American with sufficient learning to fill a professor's chair." He also said the Methodist Church did not require educated preachers, but rather uneducated better suited its members. The quote was printed in state newspapers, and Bigger became the subject of fiery sermons in Methodist churches across the state. Methodists outnumbered Presbyterians four to one in the state at that time, hurting Bigger's popularity. In his reelection campaign again Methodist James Whitcomb
James Whitcomb
James Whitcomb was a Democratic United States Senator and the eighth Governor of Indiana. As governor during the Mexican-American War, he oversaw the formation and deployment of the state's levies...
. The church led mainly by Bishop Ames, campaigned heavily on behalf of Whitcomb. Ames was quoted as saying, "it is with the amen corner of the Methodist Church that defeated Governor Bigger, and I had a hand in that". Coupled with the blame the public placed on the Whigs for the state's financial situation, Bigger was overwhelming defeated by Whitcomb.
Later life
After leaving office, Bigger moved to Fort WayneFort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
where he formed a new law practice with Joseph K. Edgerton. The Whig party attempted to nominate Bigger to run for governor again in the 1846 race for governor, but he declined the offer without giving an explanation. He suddenly became ill and died in his Fort Wayne home on September 9, 1846, aged 43, and was buried in that city's McCulloch Park
McCulloch Park
McCulloch Park is an urban park in the downtown area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The park is named after former United States Secretary of the Treasury, Hugh McCulloch, who gave the land to the city for a park in 1886. The park is the burial place of Samuel Bigger, the seventh governor of the state of...
.
The U.S. 27 (Lafayette Street) bridge over the St. Marys River
St. Marys River (Indiana)
The St. Marys River is a tributary of the Maumee River in western Ohio and eastern Indiana in the United States. Prior to development, it was part of the Great Black Swamp. Today, it drains a primarily rural farming region in the watershed of Lake Erie....
in downtown Fort Wayne was renamed the Governor Samuel Bigger Memorial Bridge by a Resolution of the Indiana General Assembly authored by State Representative Mitchell Harper. Historian Gayle Thornbrough noted that Bigger was among the governor's who had the least impact on the events of the day, largely because of the state financial situation.