History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

REV. J.W. RIGBY AND FAMILY                                         1892

     Jesse W. Rigby was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, on Jan. 10, 1843. The family moved to Cedar County, Iowa, in 1846, where he spent his boyhood days.
     On July 25, 1862 he enlisted in Company B, 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the following: The siege of Grand Gulf, engagements of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Carrion Crow Bayou, Sabine cross roads, and the siege of Vicksburg. At the latter place he was captured by the rebels and imprisoned 414 days at the Camp Ford prison in Texas. His account of the living conditions in that prison was full of interest but distressing, as the food supply was insufficient, yet was better than in many of the southern prisons. He was mustered out of service on August 5, 1865. He graduated from Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1872 and entered the Methodist Ministry, filling the pulpit at Sargent Bluffs, Smithland and Sibley, Iowa.
     He was married in 1871 to Miss Julia Case. From this union five daughters were born: Gertrude, who became Mrs. C.D. Nickelsen, Mellie, wife of Claude Wetherell, and Cornelia Rigby, all deceased. Ethel, who married Rev. G.R. Archer, and Ruth, Mr. Geo. Bigler, of Portland.
     Mr. Rigby came west in 1879, locating at Lewiston, Idaho, where he organized the first Methodist Church. He also organized churches at Asotin, Juliaetta, Kendrick and other places. In 1892 he took charge of the Methodist Church at Belmont, near the town of Hood River. Later he organized Asbury Methodist Church in the town of Hood River. Also the church at Stevenson, Washington. In 1895, while located at Bickleton, Washington, Mrs. Rigby died. She was buried in the K.P. Cemetery at Hood River, and the family returned and made Hood River their home. At that place he served as Commander of Canby Post, of the G.A.R.
     In 1901 he married Miss Martha Weaver, at East Pittsburg, Pennsy1vania. She died in 1911. In 1912 he was married to Mrs. Kemmer. They moved from Hood River to Portland and later to Minnesota. She died in November 1925 and he followed on May 3, 1926, while living at the Old Soldiers Home. Two daughters survive, Mrs. G.R Archer and Mrs. Ruth Bigler, and the following grandchildren: Mrs. Gertrude Johnson, Charlie Wetherell, Ruth, Bent, Edith and James Archer. Frank, Erma, Wilbur, Williston, Ethel Grace and George Robert Bigler.

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