22 Facts About Samuel Bigger

Samuel Bigger was the seventh governor of the US state of Indiana from December 9,1840, to December 6,1843.

Samuel Bigger oversaw the state's bankruptcy negotiations, but the bankruptcy he negotiated was only able to return the state to solvency briefly.

Samuel Bigger was born in Franklin, Ohio, on March 20,1802, the son of John Bigger, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and an Ohio House of Representatives Speaker of the House.

Samuel Bigger was enrolled as a student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, in the 1820s where he studied law.

Samuel Bigger moved to Liberty, Indiana, in 1829 after completing school and entered a law practice.

Samuel Bigger lived only a short time in Liberty before moving to Rushville where he began his public career.

Samuel Bigger 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.

In 1833 Samuel Bigger was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives.

Samuel Bigger was not a great orator, but became known for his simple and straightforward method of speaking.

Samuel Bigger was narrowly defeated by James Gregory in the election of the house speaker in 1835.

In 1840 Samuel Bigger was nominated to become the Whig Party candidate for Governor of Indiana.

Samuel Bigger was opposed by Democratic candidate Congressman Tilghman Howard.

Samuel Bigger claimed to have always opposed the projects and promised to try to get the state out of its dire situation.

Whigs retained majorities in the General Assembly and Samuel Bigger defeated Howard, 62,932 to 54,274.

At first, Samuel Bigger recommended reforming the property tax system that provided the majority of the state's income.

In 1841, at the request of the state legislature, Bigger completely rewrote the state's code of laws with the help of Indiana State Treasurer George H Dunn.

Samuel Bigger was well qualified for the job with his background as a lawyer.

In 1834, leaders of the Methodist church requested that Governor Samuel Bigger appoint Methodists to the board of Indiana University, which was dominated by Presbyterians.

The quote was printed in state newspapers, and Samuel Bigger became the subject of fiery sermons in Methodist churches across the state.

The Whig party attempted to nominate Samuel Bigger to run for governor again in the 1846 race for governor, but he declined the offer without giving an explanation.

Samuel Bigger suddenly became ill and died in his Fort Wayne home on September 9,1846, aged 44, and was buried in that city's McCulloch Park.

Historian Gayle Thornbrough noted that Samuel Bigger was among the governors who had the least impact on the events of the day, largely because of the state financial situation.