Ella A. Bigelow was born on May 21, 1849, and died on October 23, 1917. She was an American author, historian, and member of women’s clubs. She wrote several books, including Prize Quotations (Marlboro, 1887), Venice (Marlboro, 1890), Old Masters of Art (Buffalo, 1888), and Letters upon Greece (Marlboro, 1891). Her book Historical Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marlborough, Massachusetts (1910) includes 124 watercolors that she requested to be created. This book was called by The Boston Globe in 1999 "the best source we have for Marlborough history before 1910."

Early life and education

Ella Augusta Fisher was born on May 21, 1849, in Malden, Massachusetts. Her father, Lewis Fisher, and mother, Ruth Benchley, were both of English heritage. For many years, she lived in Milford, Massachusetts.

Her parents had enough money to provide her with a good education. She developed an interest in music and studied with teachers in Boston. She was known as a church singer in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and other cities. She performed with musicians such as Carlyle Petersilea and Julius Eichberg with his "Germania Orchestra." In 1873, she moved to Germany and lived mainly in Berlin. There, she studied with Ferdinand Sieber, a court professor of music, and Fraulein Kess, both of whom encouraged her to pursue a career in music.

Career

She met Mr. and Mrs. George Bancroft, who was the U.S. Ambassador to Germany at that time. Through their kindness, she had the chance to meet many famous people and make many friends. Before returning to the United States, she traveled across Europe.

Bigelow wrote and published several books, including Prize Quotations (Marlboro, 1887), Venice (Marlboro, 1890), Old Masters of Art (Buffalo, 1888), Letters upon Greece (Marlboro, 1891), Entertaining and instructive prize game; one hundred and fifty questions on the old masters (Buffalo, 1889), and Historical Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marlborough, Massachusetts (1910). She was the editor of Mizpah, the official publication of the Order of the Eastern Star.

For many years, she wrote articles for different newspapers and magazines. Bigelow was president of many literary and musical clubs. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Personal life

On January 10, 1877, in Milford, she married Edward Lambert Bigelow ((1839–1915)) from Marlboro, Massachusetts. After that, she lived in an old Colonial house filled with antiques and souvenirs from her travels. Ella Augusta Fisher Bigelow died in Marlborough, Massachusetts, on October 23, 1917.

Selected works

• Prize Quotations (1887)
• Old Masters of Art (1888)
• Venice (1890)
• Letters about Greece (1891)
• Stories from the Past in Marlborough, Massachusetts (1910) (Text)