Born in Michigan. A resident of Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois when he enlisted in the 9th Illinois Cavalry for one year at Marengo, McHenry County, Illinois. Mustered in as a Private in Company M at Marengo, Illinois on 4 Oct 1864. Mustered out at Montgomery, Alabama. A member of Stevens Post No. 1 of Seattle, King County, Washington Territory. Served as Post Commander in 1880. A charter member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington Territory (Post was chartered on 2 Jun 1881). Served as Post Commander in 1882. Served as Junior Vice Commander of the Department of Washington Territory, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) for the term of 1883-1884. By 1887 he is again associated with Stevens Post No. 1. Served as Post Quartermaster in 1888. Died in Karlsbad, Germany. Both his military and pension records list his name as "Henry A. Bigelow".