Marion Biggs
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Marion Biggs | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891 | |
| Preceded by | James A. Louttit |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Caminetti |
| Delegate to the Second Constitutional Convention of California | |
| In office September 28, 1878 – March 3, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Constituency | 3rd congressional district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1823 Pike County, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | August 2, 1910 (aged 87) Gridley, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Sacramento Historic City Cemetery Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Ann Hawkins (m. 1842) |
| Children | 11 |
Marion Biggs (May 2, 1823 – August 2, 1910) was an American slave owner[1] and politician who served two terms as a United States representative from California from 1887 to 1891.
Marion Biggs was born on May 2, 1823, near Curryville, Pike County, Missouri.[2][3] He was of Welsh and Scottish descent.[3] Biggs was born one of twelve children to William Biggs and his wife. He attended schools in Missouri.[3]
Personal life
Biggs married Ann Hawkins of Kentucky in 1842. Together, they had eleven children.[3]
He was close friends with Thomas Hart Benton, a Missouri politician.[3]
Career
Biggs moved to California in 1850.[2][3] He engaged in the business of buying and selling mules and horses. He formed a business partnership with H. J. Glenn and S. E. Wilson.[3] Biggs returned to Missouri with his family.
In 1844, Biggs attended the 1844 Whig National Convention as a Missouri delegate. He then served as the sheriff of Monroe County from 1852 through 1856.[2][3] He returned to California in 1864. In 1868, the firm of Biggs, Glenn and Wilson dissolved.[3]
Biggs was elected to the California State Assembly from Sacramento County in 1867 and from Butte County in 1869. He was elected to the State constitutional convention from the state at large in 1878.
Congress
He was elected as a Democrat to the Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses (March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891). He was not a candidate for re-election in 1890.
Later career
He was a commissioner to attend the centennial celebration of the inauguration of George Washington as President of the United States in 1889.[2][3]
Death
Biggs resided in Gridley, California. He died in Gridley on August 2, 1910. He was originally interred in New Helvetia Cemetery, Sacramento, California.[2][4] When that area was chosen to become Miwok Middle School, Biggs was re-interred in the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery.[5]
Legacy
The city of Biggs, California was named after Biggs, who founded it.[4]
