Samuel Bigstaff
Kentucky Post, Monday, 19 August 1912, page 3
MAJOR BIGSTAFF DIES
Maj. Samuel Bigstaff, prominent real estate man of the Highlands,
died yesterday after a short illness at his home, 8 Ft Thomas av. Maj. Bigstaff
was the son of the late Dr. O S Bigstaff. He was born in Bath co. in 1845 and at
the age of 16 while preparing for college, ran away from home and joined the
Confederate army. He was under the command of Gen. John H Morgan, whose company
was made up of young men of the best families of Kentucky. At the battle of Snow
Hill Maj. Bigstaff was captured and sent to the old Newport Barracks, now the
city park, as a prisoner of war. Later he was exchanged.
Shortly before the close of the Civil War he married Miss Alice Webster, the eldest daughter of F M Webster, at that time one of the leading attorneys in Kentucky. He engaged in the iron business and continued in it until the panic of 1873. He then engaged in the practice of law and continued until 1883, when he launched into public enterprises and became a promoter with much success.
East Fourth st. Newport, the first street to be constructed by private enterprise, was built under Maj. Bigstaff's direction. What is known as the Bigstaff addition to Newport was laid out by him. The launching into this business proved so successful that Bigstaff gave up the practice of law and entered into the real estate business. The subdivision known as Cote Brilliant, Duebers, Ingall's Park, Bigstaff's addition, Bonnie Leslie, Villa pl. Ross Glenn and Shaw tracts are all due to his energy and business ability.
He also built Grand av. and when he learned that the Government was about to give up the army post in Newport, he was largely instrumental with the aid of the late Congressman Berry, in the selection of Ft Thomas as the new army post. Bigstaff was interested in the contruction of the Central Bridge and the Eleventh st. Bridge. When he was Vice President of the street railway company the lines were electrified and a five cent fare established.
He is survived by his widow and two children, Miss Nazzie and Frank Bigstaff; Mrs. Sarah Hinds, a sister of St Louis and a brother, Richard Bigstaff, who resides in Bath co. The funeral arrangements have not been completed.