Woman of the Century/Lettie S. Bigelow

BIGELOW, Miss Lettie S., author, born in Pelham, Mass., in 1849. She is the daughter of the Rev. I. B. Bigelow, an itinerant minister, for more than half a century an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her early education was in the public schools of the cities and towns where her parents lived, as they were removed from place to place every two or LETTIE S. BIGELOW. three years by the decrees of the presiding bishops, according to the economy of their church. In 1866 she entered Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Mass., and remained a student there two years. Failing health compelled her to relinquish her course of study in that institution before the completion of the regular course, and she has since made her home with her parents at their various appointments. Four years ago her father left the active work of the ministry and made for himself and family a permanent home in Holyoke, Mass., where Miss Bigelow now lives, tenderly caring for an invalid mother. She has done considerable literary work, being always a close student of books and events. She has published no book of poems, but her verses have appeared quite frequently in the New York "Christian Advocate," "Zion's Herald" of Boston, the New York "Independent," the Boston "Journal" and other papers. Her prose writings, consisting of sketches, newspaper articles, and a serial story, have been for the most part under a pseudonym. A few years ago she wrote a work of Sunday-school and anniversary exercises, published in New York, which had a large sale. Miss Bigelow is also an interesting platform speaker. Her lecture on "Woman's Place and Power" has found special favor and most hearty commendation wherever it has been delivered. Her manner on the platform is easy and her delivery pleasing.