Page "John Bigelow" Paragraph 6

After the war's conclusion, he returned to New York, where he assisted his old friend Samuel J. Tilden in opposing the corruption that flourished in New York City under William Marcy Tweed.

Because of the universal respect in which Bigelow was held in New York, he was offered nominations by both political parties for state office in 1872.

Under the influence of Tilden, Bigelow decided to rejoin the Democratic party, accepted its nomination, and was elected Secretary of State, a position he held until 1876.

When the Democrats nominated Tilden for President in 1876, he served as Tilden's campaign manager, and in that capacity advised Tilden in the famous dispute over the result of the presidential election.

Tilden died shortly after the dispute was decided in favor of his rival, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Bigelow then acted as one of Tilden's Estate Trust Executors.

He carried out Tilden's wishes, over several years, to develop the New York Public Library.