Rolla Bigelow
Encyclopedia
Robert Lavante "Rolla" Bigelow (June 19, 1878 – December 16, 1952) was an American banker and football
player. A native of Shiawassee County, Michigan
, he played college football
for Michigan Agricultural College
in 1898 and the University of Michigan
from 1902 to 1903. He played for Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams that compiled a record of 22-0-1 and outscored opponents 1,209 to 18 during the 1902 and 1903 seasons. He later moved to New York where he founded the investment banking firm, Bigelow & Co., in the 1910s. In 1921, he founded Bigelow State Bank, which later became Eastern Exchange Bank.
in Shiawassee County, Michigan
in 1878. His parents, Rolla P. Bigelow and Charlotte (Pratt) Bigelow, were both Michigan natives. At the time of the 1880 United States Census, Bigelow's father was employed as a store clerk in Corunna. He was later employed as a "commercial traveler." The family moved to Owosso, Michigan
, where Bigelow was raised.
Bigelow initially attended Michigan Agricultural College (M.A.C.), later known as Michigan State University
. He played for the M.A.C. football team in 1898.
where he played college football for Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams. Bigelow was a reserve tackle
on the 1902 Michigan Wolverines football team
that finished with an 11–0 record, outscored its opponents by a combined score of 644 to 12, and has been recognized as national champions
. The following year, he started two games, one at halfback
and the other at fullback
for the 1903 Michigan team
that compiled an 11–0–1 record, outscored opponents 565 to 6, and has been recognized as the 1903 national champions. Bigelow scored five touchdowns (including three in one game) for the 1903 team. He graduated from Michigan with an engineering degree in 1905.
In January 1921, he formed Bigelow State Bank, a New York state chartered bank based in Manhattan, and served as its president. At the time of its opening, The New York Times reported that it "offers banking facilities to individuals who wish to deposit small amounts. 'The bank for the individual' is the motto of the new institution."
In December 1924, Bigelow changed the name of his bank to the Eastern Exchange Bank and continued to serve as its president. In November 1926, W. A. Harriman & Co., Inc.
, purchased "a substantial interest" in the bank, with Bigelow remaining as the president. At the time of the Harriman investment, The New York Times described the business of Bigelow's bank as follows: "This bank is said to be the only institution in New York City confining its activities entirely to individual deposit accounts, and makes a point of extending banking facilities to small accounts. It does no commercial business and discounts no commercial paper, confining its loans only to marketable collateral." In May 1928, the Eastern Exchange Bank moved its headquarters from 10 Broadway to the Harriman Building at 37 Broadway.
, Nassau County, New York
with his wife Doris, their two children Doris E. Bigelow (age 8) and Robert P. Bigelow (age 3), and three servants. Bigelow's occupation was listed as a bank president.
After retiring, Bigelow moved to Winter Haven
in central Florida
. In December 1952, he died at a hospital in Winter Haven at age 74 after a brief illness.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. A native of Shiawassee County, Michigan
Shiawassee County, Michigan
-Transportation:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,687 people, 26,896 households, and 19,849 families residing in the county. The population density was 133 people per square mile . There were 29,087 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
, he played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for Michigan Agricultural College
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in 1898 and the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1902 to 1903. He played for Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams that compiled a record of 22-0-1 and outscored opponents 1,209 to 18 during the 1902 and 1903 seasons. He later moved to New York where he founded the investment banking firm, Bigelow & Co., in the 1910s. In 1921, he founded Bigelow State Bank, which later became Eastern Exchange Bank.
Early years
Bigelow was born in CorunnaCorunna, Michigan
Corunna is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,381. It is the county seat of Shiawassee County. The City of Corunna is located within Caledonia Charter Township, although it is an independent political entity.Michigan Governor Andrew Parsons was...
in Shiawassee County, Michigan
Shiawassee County, Michigan
-Transportation:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,687 people, 26,896 households, and 19,849 families residing in the county. The population density was 133 people per square mile . There were 29,087 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
in 1878. His parents, Rolla P. Bigelow and Charlotte (Pratt) Bigelow, were both Michigan natives. At the time of the 1880 United States Census, Bigelow's father was employed as a store clerk in Corunna. He was later employed as a "commercial traveler." The family moved to Owosso, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,713 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent...
, where Bigelow was raised.
Bigelow initially attended Michigan Agricultural College (M.A.C.), later known as Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. He played for the M.A.C. football team in 1898.
University of Michigan
Bigelow transferred to the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
where he played college football for Fielding H. Yost's "Point-a-Minute" teams. Bigelow was a reserve tackle
Tackle (American football)
Tackle is a playing position in American and Canadian football. Historically, in the one-platoon system a tackle played on both offense and defense. In the modern system of specialized units, offensive tackle and defensive tackle are separate positions....
on the 1902 Michigan Wolverines football team
1902 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1902 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1902 college football season. In their second year under head coach Fielding H. Yost, Michigan finished the season undefeated with an 11–0 record, outscored their opponents by a combined score of 644 to...
that finished with an 11–0 record, outscored its opponents by a combined score of 644 to 12, and has been recognized as national champions
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
. The following year, he started two games, one at halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
and the other at fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the 1903 Michigan team
1903 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1903 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1903 college football season. The team's head football coach was Fielding H. Yost...
that compiled an 11–0–1 record, outscored opponents 565 to 6, and has been recognized as the 1903 national champions. Bigelow scored five touchdowns (including three in one game) for the 1903 team. He graduated from Michigan with an engineering degree in 1905.
Banking career
After graduating from Michigan, Bigelow became a banker in New York. As of 1911, he was employed as a banker at 49 Wall Street in New York. By 1918, he had formed Bigelow & Co., an investment banking house with offices at 25 Pine Street in New York.In January 1921, he formed Bigelow State Bank, a New York state chartered bank based in Manhattan, and served as its president. At the time of its opening, The New York Times reported that it "offers banking facilities to individuals who wish to deposit small amounts. 'The bank for the individual' is the motto of the new institution."
In December 1924, Bigelow changed the name of his bank to the Eastern Exchange Bank and continued to serve as its president. In November 1926, W. A. Harriman & Co., Inc.
Harriman Brothers & Company
Harriman Brothers & Company was an investment bank and brokerage firm founded by brothers W. Averell Harriman and E. Roland Harriman in 1927. In 1931, the firm merged with Brown Bros. & Co. to form Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.-History:...
, purchased "a substantial interest" in the bank, with Bigelow remaining as the president. At the time of the Harriman investment, The New York Times described the business of Bigelow's bank as follows: "This bank is said to be the only institution in New York City confining its activities entirely to individual deposit accounts, and makes a point of extending banking facilities to small accounts. It does no commercial business and discounts no commercial paper, confining its loans only to marketable collateral." In May 1928, the Eastern Exchange Bank moved its headquarters from 10 Broadway to the Harriman Building at 37 Broadway.
Family and later years
Bigelow was married to Doris (Bissell) Bigelow in 1916. They had a daughter, Betsy Bigelow, and a son, Robert Pratt Bigelow. At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Bigelow was living in WoodsburghWoodsburgh, New York
Woodsburgh is a village in Nassau County, New York in the United States. The population was 778 at the 2010 census.The mayor of the village is Susan Schlaff.Deputy Mayor:Edmond MukamalTrustees:Carl Cayne, Edmond Mukamal, Barry Sporer, Lee A...
, Nassau County, New York
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
with his wife Doris, their two children Doris E. Bigelow (age 8) and Robert P. Bigelow (age 3), and three servants. Bigelow's occupation was listed as a bank president.
After retiring, Bigelow moved to Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
in central Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. In December 1952, he died at a hospital in Winter Haven at age 74 after a brief illness.