Isaac Alexander Bigger was born in Bethel Township, York County, South Carolina on May 9, 1867 to Moses Andrew Bigger and Helen Marr Campbell Bigger. He received his early education in the schools of his native region and then studied medicine at the Charleston Medical College from which he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and with second honors in 1889. He did post-graduate work in the Philadelphia Polyclinic and in Baltimore, Maryland.
He was a member of an old and prominent Southern family dating back to Colonial days. As a young man, immediately following the completion of his professional studies and training, Dr. Bigger engaged in the practice of medicine in York County, where he continued to practice for almost four decades. Dr. Bigger enjoyed a very high professional standing and a very large practice. His many fine qualities of the mind and the heart greatly endeared him, not only to his patients, but also to all who had the privilege of his acquaintance or friendship. He was considered the Dean of Physicians in his community. Possessing the traditional Scotch characteristics, Dr. Bigger was a man of few words, deep thought, reserve of matter, but general friendship. He held a warm place in the affection of his professional colleagues and also was greatly beloved by the community at large, devoting his professional skill and his time freely to those in need of his ministrations, irrespective of their ability to pay. In 1906 he removed to Rock Hill, York County, with his family, where he continued to be actively engaged in practice until his death, though during the last few years of his life failing health made it necessary for him to withdraw to a considerable extent from his large practice.
His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian Church, and more particularly with Bethel Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder for many years.
Dr. Bigger married (first), September 5, 1888, Mary Neel Johnston, of Rock Hill, and like himself a member of an old and prominent South Carolina family. Of this union the following five children were born: Dr. David A. Bigger, a well-known physician of Rock Hill, Dr. Isaac Alexander Bigger, head of surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Mary, Rosa and Helen. Dr. Bigger married (second) Anne Claire Hutchison, of Rock Hill.
Dr. Bigger died on May 6, 1926 at his home in Rock Hill. His funeral was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he was a loyal member diring his residence in this town. Dr. Bigger was laid to rest in the graveyard of Old Bethel Presbyterian Church, where six generations of his ancestors are buried. The high regard in which Dr. Bigger was held by the entire commuity was shown by the closing down of the entire business district in the downtown part of Rock Hill during the hour of his funeral.
Many eloquent tributes were paid to Dr. Bigger at the time of his passing away. One of the local newspapers, in reporting his death, said "News of his death will bring a shadow of sadness to hundreds of homes in the city and in the community for many miles around. During his nearly twenty years of unselfish service to the community he had commanded his respect, won its deep confidence and enjoyed its lasting affection."
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