Mary D. Bigham

MARY D. BIGHAM, for many years a prominent resident of Montana township, Labette county, Kansas, was born in New York state, in 1829, and is a daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Ashton) Sisum. When she was nine years of age, her parents moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, where she lived until she was twenty,two years old.

Her father, Aaron Sisum, was born in Germany, and came to America when but a youth. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and became a useful man in the community in which he resided. He married Hannah Ashton, who was born in England, and came to the United States when a girl of fifteen years. They reared a family of three children: Mary D., the subject of this sketch; and John and Derrick, deceased.

Mary D. was united in marriage with John Bigham. He was a native of Ohio, and was born in 1828. He was engaged in farming until the time of his death, which occurred in 1867. Soon after the death of her husband, Mrs. Bigham moved to Kansas, and located in the southeast quarter of section 31, Montana township, where she has resided ever since. Mrs. Bigham has reared six children, five of whom are living. They are all prominent farmers. James is a farmer in Oklahoma. Aaron is a prosperous farmer in Montana township, Labette county, Kansas. Solomon is a tiller of the soil in the Indian Territory. George and Marshall. are looking after the interests of their mother on the home farm, most of which is rented. Mrs. Bigham is a woman of considerable thrift and energy, and occupies a very high place in the estimation of her friends and neighbors.