Herbert T. "H.T." Bigelow

Herbert Townsend “H.T.” Bigelow was born on August 21, 1887, in Waukon, Iowa, during a time when the American Midwest was rapidly growing through agriculture and industry. Like many young men of his generation, he would come of age just as the United States entered a new era on the world stage.

At some point in his early adulthood, Bigelow made his way to Stoughton, a Norwegian-American community known for its strong work ethic and tight-knit civic life. It was here that he would build both his family life and his legacy as a veteran and community leader.

When the United States entered World War I, Bigelow answered the call to serve. He enlisted in the United States Army, joining the ranks of millions of Americans who would serve during the Great War.

While specific records of his unit and deployment details are limited, his service places him among the generation of veterans who:

• Helped shape the identity of post-war America

• Returned home with a strong sense of duty and camaraderie

• Became the foundation of early veteran organizations across the country

Like many World War I veterans, Bigelow carried those values forward into civilian life—particularly through his involvement in the American Legion.

After returning from military service, Bigelow settled into civilian life in Stoughton. He was employed at the Fairbanks-Morse plant in Beloit, Wisconsin, a major industrial employer in southern Wisconsin known for manufacturing engines and industrial equipment.

His work there reflects the broader story of many veterans of his era—transitioning from military service into industrial America, helping fuel the economic growth of the 1920s.

Bigelow married Hazel Patterson, and together they made their home in Stoughton. Their life reflected the values of the time: hard work, family, and strong ties to community.

Bigelow’s most lasting local impact came through his involvement with the American Legion, particularly American Legion Post 59 in Stoughton.

He served as Commander in 1925

This was a critical period in the early history of the Legion. Founded in 1919, the organization was still developing its identity, structure, and community presence during the 1920s.

As Commander, Bigelow would have been responsible for:

• Leading meetings and guiding post direction

• Supporting fellow veterans in their transition to civilian life

• Organizing community events and patriotic observances

• Helping establish traditions that still carry on at Post 59 today

His leadership helped shape the foundation of what would become a long-standing and respected veterans organization in Stoughton.

Bigelow belonged to the first generation of Legionnaires—the men who took the shared experience of war and transformed it into lifelong service at home.

These early members were not just participants—they were builders:

• Builders of camaraderie among veterans

• Builders of civic pride within their communities

• Builders of institutions like Post 59 that continue to serve decades later

His role as Commander places him among those who helped ensure that the sacrifices of World War I veterans would not be forgotten.

In his early 50s, Bigelow’s health began to decline. After several months of illness, he passed away on December 24, 1939, in Stoughton at the age of 52.

His passing came just as the world was once again on the brink of global conflict with the onset of World War II—marking the end of a life tied closely to the legacy of the First World War generation.

Herbert T. “H.T.” Bigelow’s legacy lives on through:

• His service as a U.S. Army veteran

• His leadership as Commander of American Legion Post 59 (1925)

• His role in helping establish the culture and mission of veteran service in Stoughton

He represents the generation of men who returned from World War I and chose not to step away—but instead stepped forward to lead, serve, and build something lasting for those who followed.