Last Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock, W.L. Biggs, one of the old time, honored and respected citizens of Council Bluffs, passed peacefully away after an illness of nearly a year's duration. At times he would improve and then again he would take a relapse and it seemed for days that he could hold out no longer. The past few weeks he gradually grew worse until death claimed him. He was familiarly known as "Squire Biggs" and had an extensive acquaintance throughout western Iowa. Nearly every one in Council Bluffs knew Squire Biggs. He came here in March 1854, and saw Council Bluffs grow from a small village and trading point to a large city. He was born in Virginia June 13, 1811.

In an early day Mr. Biggs was proprietor of the old Union House on Madison Street, and at one time conducted a hotel known as the Biggs House on Main Street. He served several times as alderman and justice of the peace with credit to himself.

Council Bluffs Lodge of Odd Fellows was organized in 1853, and the same year Mr. Biggs came here he became a member of that lodge, his card being from the Wellsburg, VA lodge. He was initiated into the order in 1835, making him the oldest Odd Fellow in the city.