Elias A. Biggs

    Elias A. Biggs, jeweler and fancy goods dealer, was born in this county August 20?, 1850, and is the fourth of the ten children of Reuben and Elizabeth (Ayles) Biggs, both deceased, the former in 1863, the latter in 1877.

    Mr. Biggs has gained by his industry and observation a good business education. When sixteen years old, he was bound to Messrs. Bell & Ward, of West Lebanon to learn wagon-making, and when twenty began business at Rob Roy. This, owing to ill health, he continued but two years. After visiting Michigan he came to West Lebanon, and with a younger brother, commenced the bakery and confectionery trade, which after one year he abandoned for the jewelry and fancy goods trade.

    On May 28, 1873, he was married to Miss Helena B. Crane, a native of Fountain County, daughter of Silas and Bell J. Crane, by which union were born three children -Leota May, Ada B. (deceased August 26, 1878) and Joseph N. Mr. Biggs is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant; he is also a Freemason. He has built the finest brick block in West Lebanon, or in the county, and is a man of great worth and enterprise. He has been Town Clerk and Treasurer.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.