Capt. J. Swan Bigham Obituaries - Bell County, TX

submitted by Janet Gardner 11/98
**************************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information
on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, 
as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is
obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be 
reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. 
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial 
purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal 
representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist
with proof of this consent.
***************************************************************************



Bell County Democrat-Thursday Oct. 13, 1927-
Confederate Veteran Answers Taps Last Time-
Capt. J. S. BIGHAM died Here Tuesday Afternoon; was officer with the South-
The spirit of another Confederate veteran, noble and true, has answered the 
last call and has gone to the Great Reunion beyond this vale of earthly 
partings. In the death of Capt. J. Swan BIGHAM there has passed away another 
of the men who in 1861-65 wore the gray and fought loyally under the 
Confederate banner. The call was sounded Tuesday of this week. Capt. BIGHAM 
was at the home of his son, W. N. BIGHAM, at Union Grove. He had been 
critically ill for several days previous to his death. J. Swan BIGHAM was a 
native of Tennessee, born in Bedford County, That state, July 11, 1833. In 
the year 1851, at the age of eighteen years, he came to Texas with his parents, 
his father settling with a colony of thirteen families in one of the most 
fertile valleys in this county, to which they gave the name of their native 
state-Tennessee. Capt. BIGHAM became a member of the Texas ranges and was 
fearless and loyal in that service, as he was a few years later to the 
Confederacy. October 5, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Louise E. 
HAMILTON, who preceded him to the Home Beyond, having passed away June 17, 1912. 
A son and a daughter, W. N. BIGHAM of this county, and Mrs. Yancy P. YARBROUGH, 
of Weslaco, survive. Deceased is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and 
four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at the 
First Baptist Church. Dr. E. G. TOWNSEND paid a beautiful tribute to the gentle, 
quiet life of Capt. BIGHAM, with his loyalty to public duty in services which 
went through perilous days in the early history of Texas and built for the 
present days the safety and prosperity which is now enjoyed. The body was 
interred in North Belton cemetery, where "Shephard Psalm" was read by Rev. 
MADDOX and prayer was offered by Dr. TOWNSEND.



Capt. J. S. BIGHAM Claimed By Death-Prominent Pioneer Settler, 
Confederate Veteran and Ex-Ranger Dies-Belton Bureau-Temple Telegram-Belton, Oct. 12-

Funeral services for Captain J. Swan BIGHAM, pioneer resident of Belton who died 
at the home of his son W. N. BIGHAM in Wilkerson last Tuesday will be held Thursday 
morning at 10 o'clock at the First Baptist Church. Dr E G. TOWNSEND of Baylor 
College will conduct the services. Active pallbearers will be A. T. VANNESS, John R. 
FELLRATH, John R. BIGHAM, Arthur POTTS, Woody C. HAMILTON, and Jesse S. BLAIR. 
Honorary pallbearers will be Confederate veterans of Bell County and the Daughters 
of the Confederacy will attend in a body. Interment will be in the North Belton 
cemetery. J. Swan BIGHAM was born in Bedford County, Tennessee, July 11th 1838, his 
age being 89 years and 3 months. He moved with his parents to Texas in 1851, and 
located in what is now known as Tennessee Valley, his father bringing thirteen 
families from Tennessee to this settlement. He served on the Ranger force in guarding 
the Texas Frontier, and also served through the Civil War as captain in the Confederate 
army. He was united in marriage October 5th, 1869 to Miss Louisa E. HAMILTON, and to 
this union two children were born: Mrs. Y. P. YARBROUGH of Weslaco, Texas and W. N. 
BIGHAM of Belton, Texas, both of whom survive him, and were at his bedside when he died. 
He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His wife 
preceded him to the grave fifteen years, having died June 17th, 1912. Captain BIGHAM 
united with the Baptist Church when a young man and was a faithful member until his 
health failed and he could no longer attend its services. Captain BIGHAM, being one 
of the pioneer settlers of Bell County, figured largely in its development. He was 
in business in Belton for a number of years, and had served the city and county in 
numerous capacities. He was a great lover of children, all of whom like to recall the 
many kindness' he showed them. He was widely known throughout this section of the state, 
and respected and loved by all who knew him.