Biographical Sketch of

George Ames

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 686 - 687


Capt. James A. Biggert, Justice of the Peace, of Berlin, and Commander of John H. Williams Post, G. A. R., is 
a pioneer of Green Lake County.  He was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 19, 1838, and is a son of Robert 
and Esther (Reid) Biggert.  His father was a native of Enneskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, and emigrated in 
1833 to Canada, where he was married in 1835.  He was an architect by occupation, and followed that business in 
Hamilton until his death.
 
Our subject attended school in his native city and in 1848 removed with his mother to Niagara County, N. Y., where 
they spent three years, coming to Wisconsin in May, 1851.  They settled on a farm in the town of Seneca, in what 
was then Marquette County, but is now comprised in Green Lake County.  James attended school for one year after 
coming to Wisconsin, and then engaged in farming until Aug. 31, 1861, when he enlisted for the Civil War as a 
member of Company A, 16th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry.  Immediately after the battle of Shiloh he was made First 
Sergeant, and on June 20, 1863, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant.  He was made First Lieutenant on August 13, 
following.  He continued to serve in that capacity until Feb. 20, 1864, when for meritorious conduct he was 
commissioned Captain.  He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and the engagements before 
Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and through the Carolinas to Richmond, Va.  He was wounded 
quite seriously at the battle of Corinth, in the thigh, and again dangerously wounded by a gun-shot in the neck at 
Atlanta.  He was mustered out at Madison, Wis., July 12, 1865, having faithfully served his country four years.
 
On his return from the war, Capt. Biggert resumed farming, which he continued until 1866, when he engaged in the 
agricultural implement business in Berlin.  He carried on operations alone until 1871, when he sold an interest 
in the business to Mr. McNish, the partnership continuing until 1879, when Mr. Blackstone became his partner, Mr. 
McNish retiring.  The business was then conducted under the firm name of Biggert & Blackstone, until 1886, when 
Capt. Biggert sold out.
 
In Berlin, in the month of August, 1865, the Captain was joined in wedlock with Miss Jennie Megran, a native of 
County Antrim, Ireland, who came to America with her father, John Megran, and family, in 1849.  Ten children were 
born of their union, of whom three sons and four daughters, are living:  Ettie E. is the oldest; John R. died at 
the age of sixteen years; Cassius F.; James A. died at the age of ten years; Irwin O.; Harry; Maggie E.; Jane; 
Lettie died in infancy, and Helen completes the family.  The death of the mother occurred in 1884 at the age of 
forty-five years.
 
Capt. Biggert is a Republican in politics, and has held various official positions of honor and trust.  In 1868 
he was elected Sheriff of Green Lake County, and served two years.  He was School Commissioner eight years, and 
prior to the war was School Superintendent of the town of Seneca, also Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of 
that town.  He served six years as Deputy United States Marshal, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace 
of Berlin since 1882.  He was one of the charter members of John H. Williams Post, No. 4, G. A. R., which was 
organized Sept. 8, 1866, and which is the oldest Post having a continuous existence in the State.  He has served 
as Commander three terms, and is the present incumbent.  He is also a member of Berlin Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M.  
Capt. Biggert possesses good executive ability, and has made an efficient officer in whatever position he has been 
chosen to fill.  His record as a soldier is that of a brave and capable officer, and his course in private life 
has been characterized by strict integrity, and a genial, courteous manner that has made him many warm friends.






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