Source: Wooden and willow-ware trade review, Volumes 25-32 - Published 1907
Ira O. Higgins died suddenly from a hemorrhage of the lungs in Springfield, Mass., on July 29, states the Springfield Republican. He was born on September 11, 1852. Upon leaving school he engaged in the Basket business, in Blandford, Mass., which was conducted by his father, and later he became a partner. For some years, after the father's death, the business was conducted by William C. Higgins' Sons.

also

Source: "Our County and Its People": A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts - Volume 3- edited by Alfred Minott Copeland - Published 1902

HIGGINS. IRA O., p. o. North Blandford, Mass., was born in Sturbrldge, September 11, 1852, a son of William C. and Esther A. (Burleigh) Higgins, whose children were Corridan. Edith, Ira O., Herbert C. and Lee W. Higgins. William C. Higgins was a millwright in early life, and afterward became a manufacturer of baskets. He enlisted in Co. F. 46th Reg., as a private, and was promoted to corporal. He died May 15, 1885. Ira O. Higgins was educated in the common schools, and later was associated in business with his father. About two years previous to the death of the elder Higgins a co-partnership was formed and three of the sons purchased their father's interest in the basket factory. which they continued four years. Since that time Ira O. and Lee Higgins have conducted the business as sole proprietors. They manufacture baskets of all kinds, deal in agricultural implements and lumber, and own and manage about sixty acres of farm land. On October 13, 1877. Ira O. Higgins married Jennie, daughter of Charles Bobb. Three children have been born of this marriage: Earl, Mabel and Hazel Higgins. Mr. Higgins is a member of Chester lodge. No. 161, i. O. O. F. He is active in church work and is a member of the Second Congregational church, having served as one of its trustees for the last three years.

See obituary

HIGGINS-JENNIE-52-F-W-CT-MA-HAMPDEN-4-WD-SPRINGFIELD-1910
1910; Census Place: Springfield Ward 4, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_592; Page: 23B; Enumeration District: 0616; Image: 361
Name Age
Jennie Higgins 52
Mabel Higgins 23
Hazel Higgins 16

HIGGINS-IRA-O-48-M-W-MA-MA-HAMPDEN-BLANDFORD-1900
1900; Census Place: Blandford, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: T623_649; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 503
Name Age
Ira O Higgins 48
Jennie S Higgins 42
Earl Higgins 15
Mabel E Higgins 13
Hazel M Higgins 6

HIGGINS-IRA-O-28-W-CT-MA-HAMPDEN-BLANDFORD-1880
1880; Census Place: Blandford, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll: 534; Page: 34C; Enumeration District: 272; Image: 0065
Name Age
Ira O. Higgins 28
Jennie L. Higgins 23
and living next door are his parents
Name Age
William C. Higgins 55
Esther A. Higgins 53
Lee W. Higgins 18
Libbie Higgins 28

HIGGINS-WILLIAM-C-45-M-W-NY-MA-HAMPDEN-BLANDFORD-1870
1870; Census Place: Blandford, Hampden, Massachusetts; roll: M593_616; Page: 27A; Image: 58
Name Age
William C Higgins 45
Esther A Higgins 44
Corydon W Higgins 22
Edith C Higgins 20
Ira O Higgins 18
Herbert C Higgins 14
Lee W Higgins 8
Aurelia Higgins 74

Sources: Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
Name: William C Higgins Birth Date: abt 1824
Residence: Worthington, Massachusetts Occupation:Mechanic
Age at enlistment: 38 Enlistment Date:9 May 1862
Rank at enlistment: Private State Served: Massachusetts
Service Record: Enlisted in Company F, Massachusetts 46th Infantry Regiment on 25 Sep 1862.
Promoted to Corporal on 09 Jun 1863. Mustered out on 29 Jul 1863 at Hampden Park, Springfield, MA.
see his civil war service

HIGGINS-WILLIAM-34-M-W-MA-MA-HAMPSHIRE-WORTHINGTON-1860
1860; Census Place: Worthington, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M653_505; Page: 280; Image: 284
Name Age
William Higgins 34
Esther Higgins 33
Carrie Ann Higgins 12
Edith Higgins 10
Ira Higgins 8
Herbert Higgins 5
Orelia Higgins 63

HIGGINS-WILLIAM-C-26-M-W-MA-CT-TOLLAND-UNION-1850
1850; Census Place: Union, Tolland, Connecticut; Roll: M432_50; Page: 270B; Image: 115
Name Age
William C Higgins 26
Esther A Higgins 24
Corydon W Higgins 2
Edith C Higgins 0
Elijah Higgins 60
Aurelia Higgins 53

Source: Massachusetts Town Marriage Records
Name: William C. Higgins Spouse: Esther Burley
Marriage Date: 21 May 1846 Marriage Place: Sturbridge
Source: Vital Records of Sturbridge
Full Text:  HIGGINS, William C., farmer, of Worthington, and Esther A. Burley, 20, d. Samuel and Aurinda, May 21, 1846.

.............

14 Dec 2011

Click image to enlarge

Source: Historical catalogue of the Dedham high school, teachers and students, 1851-1889
Franklin Prince Higgins, son of Dr. Jeremiah F. and Mary Abby (Snow) Higgins, was born in Boston, June 2,1849. Was a graduate of the four years' course. Married Frances Augusta
Smith, in East Dedham, Oct. 21, 1873. Their son, Herbert Franklin, was born May 31, 1875. Undertaker

HIGGINS' in Dedham, Massachusetts Directory, 1893

Franklin P Higgins Smith & Higgins undertaker 29 Milton (W H) Dedham MA
Timothy Smith, Smith & Higgins undertaker 29 Milton (W H) Dedham MA

Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0740994-0740995.
Massachusetts Marriages
Name: Jeremiah Fogg Higgins Gender: Male
Spouse: Mary Abby Snow
Marriage Date:2 Apr 1849
City: Charlestown County: Suffolk

HIGGINS-JEREMIAH-F-36-M-W-MA-MIDDLESEX-CHARLESTOWN-1850
1850; Census Place: Charlestown, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: M432_322; Page: 95B; Image: 196
Name Age
Jeremiah F Higgins 36
Mary A Higgins 22
Sarah L Higgins 13
Rebecca L Higgins 11
John C Higgins 5
Franklin P Higgins 1

HIGGINS-JEREMIAH-F-45-M-W-ME-HANCOCK-MT_DESERT-1860
1860; Census Place: Mount Desert, Hancock, Maine; Roll: M653_438; Page: 616; Image: 620
Name Age
Jeremiah F Higgins 45
Mary Abby Higgins 32
John C Higgins 15
Franklin P Higgins 11

HIGGINS-MARY-A-42-F-W-MA-MA-NORFOLK-DEDHAM-1870
1870; Census Place: Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_635; Page: 314B; Image: 71
Name Age
Mary A Higgins 42
Franklin Higgins 20

HIGGINS-FRANKLIN-31-W-MA-MA-NORFOLK-DEDHAM-1880
1880; Census Place: Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts; Roll: 548; Page: 481C; Enumeration District: 513; Image: 243
Name Age
Timothy Smith 59
Emily Smith 59
Fannie Higgins 26
Franklin Higgins 31
Herbert F. Higgins 5
Charlotte Martin 22

HIGGINS-FRANKLIN-P-51-M-W-MA-MA-NORFOLK-DEDHAM-1900
1900; Census Place: Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts; Roll: T623_669; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 1031
Name Age
Franklin P Higgins 50
Frances A Higgins 46
Lizzie Teed 25
Clifton H Hamilton 23

HIGGINS-FRANKLIN-P-60-M-W-MA-MA-NORFOLK-DEDHAM-1910
1910; Census Place: Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_608; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 1103; Image: 813
Name Age
Franklin P Higgins 60
Frances A Higgins 55
Saddie Mcleod 24

HIGGINS-FRANKLIN-70-M-W-MA-MA-NORFOLK-DEDHAM-1920
1920;Census Place: Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_722; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 189; Image: 377
Name Age
Franklin Higgins 70
Frances Higgins 65

Click image to enlarge

....

10 May 2011

Source: Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts - Published 1901

GEORGE ARTHUR HIGGINS, proprietor of the leading bookstore of Andover, was born in this town, October 3, 1866, a son of Henry Clinton and Eliza Augusta (Abbott) Higgins, and a descendant in the ninth generation of George Abbot, one of the original householders of Andover. His paternal grandfather, Timothy Higgins, a carpenter by trade, was born in East Randolph, Vt. He was twice married.

Henry Clinton Higgins, son of Timothy by his second wife, whose maiden name was Annie Follansbee, was born at Tunbridge, Vt., September 24, 1827. During his earlier manhood years he was employed as a clerk. Resigning his position in 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. H. Davis. He participated in the battle at Poplar Grove Church, Virginia, at the siege of Petersburg, and in the fight at Boydton, Va., October 27, 1864, after which he went with the expedition sent to destroy the Weldon Railroad. Later in the year, his regiment being attached to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, he took part, on February 5, 6, and 7, 1865, in the movements at Hatcher's Run, Va., afterward remaining there until the commencement of final operations, March 26, 1865. From that time until the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865, he was seemingly under continuous fire, the skirmishes being so frequent and fierce. Subsequently returning to Washington, he was there engaged in camp duty until receiving his honorable discharge, May 3, 1865. While in the army, he contracted a disease from which he never recovered, remaining an invalid until his death, January 27, 1897. He was a member of the Andover Free Church; and he belonged to the General William F. Bartlett Post, No. 99, G. A. R.

On October 15, 1853, he married Eliza Augusta Abbott, who was born November 13, 1834, daughter of Noah and Eliza Augusta (Manning) Abbott, of Andover. Ten children were the fruit of this union, namely: Hattie A.; Annie A., who was born in March, 1859, and died the same year; Abbott H., born in August, 1858, who died in 1860; Fred Warren; William Herbert; George Arthur; Frank Partridge; Charles Albert; Bertha Osgood; and Grace Abbott. Hattie A., born June 16, 1855, is the wife of Peter Dushame, of Randolph, Mass., and has nine children. Fred W., born July 10, 1861, is foreman of the Park Street Stables, which are owned by his brother. He married Minnie Merrill, of Haverhill, Mass. William Herbert, born March 3, 1864, is proprietor of the Park Street Stables. He married Helen Isabelle Barnett, of Andover, and has two children — William Barnett and Loring Abbott. Frank P., born February 15, 1870, is engaged in the bakery business in Andover. Charles A., born January 23, 1873, works in the bakery. Bertha A., born July 21, 1875, is with her brother George in the bookstore. Grace A., born April 28, 1877, is in the bakery with her brother Frank.

George Abbot,1 prominent in the early annals of Andover, as many of his numerous descendants have been in its later history, emigrated from Yorkshire, England, about 1640, and in 1643 settled at Andover, remaining here until his death, December 24, 1681. The house that he built was used as a garrison, the neighbors seeking its shelter when harassed by the Indians. In April, 1676, says a recent writer in the New England Magazine, two of his sons, while working in the field, were attacked by the savages, who tomahawked Joseph, the elder, and carried Timothy away captive. In 1647 George Abbot married Hannah, daughter of William and Annis Chandler. They became the parents of fourteen children, namely: John; Joseph; Hannah; Joseph, second, who was born March 30, 1652, and died April 8, 1676, being the first Andover victim of Indian warfare; George; William; Sarah; Benjamin; Timothy; Thomas; Edward, who died young; Nathaniel; Elizabeth ; and Nathan, born October 1, 1675. The mother of these children, after the death of her first husband, became the wife of the Rev. Francis Dane.

John* Abbot, born March 2, 1648, married in 1673 Sarah Barker, daughter of Richard Barker. He became prominent in town matters, often serving as Selectman, and on the organization of the South Parish Church in 1711 was chosen Deacon. His children were: John, Joseph, Stephen, Sarah, Ephraim, Joshua, Mary, Ebenezer, and Priscilla.

Deacon John1 A. Abbott, born November 2, 1674, served as Selectman of Andover a number of years, and for thirty-four years as a Deacon in the church. He married Elizabeth Harnden, of Wilmington, who bore him six children, five of whom attained adult age, namely: John; Barachias; Elizabeth; Abiel, who was graduated from Harvard College in 1737, and died in 1739; and Joseph.

Barachias4 Abbott, born May 14, 1707, married in 1733 Hannah Holt. Their children were: Barachias; Captain Moses; Hannah; Barachias, second; Elizabeth; Rhoda; Priscilla; Lydia; Timothy and Rhoda, second (twins); Phebe; and Abigail.

Captain Moses5 Abbott, born August 20, 1735, lived to the age of ninety years. In 1761 he married Elizabeth Holt. They had a large family of children; namely, Rebecca, Moses, Elizabeth, Noah, Hannah, Enoch, Rhoda and Anna (twins), Henry, Jacob, Abigail, and Phebe.

Noah6 Abbott, born May 11, 1770, married in 1806 Hannah Holt, and was the father of Noah, Jr., who was born January 2, 1810, being the seventh in this ancestral line, and died in September, 1840. Noah Abbott, Jr., married January 1, 1834, Eliza Augusta Manning, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Simonds) Manning, and had three children, namely: Eliza Augusta, who married Henry C. Higgins; Hannah H., who died in infancy; and Noah B., who married Hattie Harnden, and now resides in New York City.

George Arthur Higgins was graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, in the class of 1884. The ensuing two years he was local editor of the Lawrence American and the Andover Advertiser, both printed in Lawrence; and he was subsequently connected in a similar capacity with the Andover Townsman for five years. In May, 1896, desiring to become permanently established in business, he opened his present store, and has since conducted it successfully. He carries a general line of books and stationery, and supplies Phillips Academy, Abbot Academy, and the Punchard High School with text-books. He is quite active in town affairs, having been Town Auditor two years, Warden of election officers three years, and for a number of terms has served on election boards. He belongs to the Free Congregational Church, and is clerk of the parish. Fraternally, he is a member and the treasurer of St. Matthew's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Andover, and a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U. W.

Mr. Higgins was married October 20, 1894, to Agnes Christina, daughter of Alexander and Christina (Walker) Morrison. They have two children: Gladys Abbott Walker Higgins, born November 7, 1895; and Helen Christina, born June 23, 1900. Alexander Morrison was born in Hawick, Scotland, whence he came to Massachusetts in 1841, settling first in Ballardvale, and removing to Andover in 1853. His first wife, whose maiden name was Jane Wilson, died in early life, leaving no children. He subsequently married Christina Maxwell Walker, daughter of McNeil and Elizabeth (Wheeler) Walker. Of this union were six children, namely: Helen Elizabeth, born October 25, 1854; Alexander W., born in 1856, who died young; Mary, born December 31, 1860, now living in Andover; William H., born November 4, 1862, who married Elizabeth Phillips, and lives in Merrimac; John L., born June 17, 1866, who resides in Andover; and Agnes Christina (Mrs. Higgins), born February 27, 1870. Helen Elizabeth is the wife of John W. Bell, of Andover, and mother of two children: Alice Morrison, born April 19, 1879; and Howard Withy, born August 22, 1885. Mrs. Higgins's grandfather, Alexander Morrison, Sr., spent the larger part of his life in Scotland, where he married Nellie Bigger, and where their twelve children were born. He finally emigrated to this country, bringing with him his entire family. Christina M. Walker, the maternal grandmother of Mrs. Higgins, was born in Scotland, a daughter of McNeil Walker, who spent his entire life in Scotland, dying in Edinburgh. After his death his widow came to this country with her family, Christina, then eighteen years old, being the youngest child.

Webmaster's findings
-Only Henry & Elizabeth Higgins living in Andover in this census-

HIGGINS HENRY C 30 M W VT MA ESSEX ANDOVER 1860 

HIGGINS HENRY C 42 M W VT MA ESSEX ANDOVER 1870 

Household: 1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age
Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 
Henry C. HIGGINS Self M Male W 52 VT At Home CT NH 
Eliza A. HIGGINS Wife M Female W 45 MA Keeping House MA MA 
Frederick HIGGINS Son S Male W 18 MA Clerk In Store VT MA 
William H. HIGGINS Son S Male W 16 MA At Home VT MA 
George A. HIGGINS Son S Male W 13 MA At School VT MA 
Frank P. HIGGINS Son S Male W 10 MA At School VT MA 
Charles A. HIGGINS Son S Male W 7 MA VT MA 
Berthia O. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 4 MA VT MA 
Grace A. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 3 MA VT MA 
Eliza A. ABBOTT MotherL W Female W 67 MA At Home MA MA 

Source Information:
Census Place Andover, Essex, Massachusetts 
Family History Library Film 1254527 
NA Film Number T9-0527 
Page Number 415D 

Appears on 1890 Veterans Census Schedule Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts. Refers to his service as noted above. Disabilities noted Fever A???? & Chronic Rheumatism.
 

10 May 2011

Source: Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts - Published 1901

THOMAS ALLEN HIGGINS, dealer in lumber, lime, and cement, Wellfleet, was born in this town, February 3, 1857, son of Thomas A. and Sarah F. (Higgins) Higgins. He is a descendant of Richard Higgins, who went from Plymouth, Mass., to Eastham. His grandfather, Josiah R. Higgins, who was a son of Uriah and grandson of Enoch Higgins, followed the sea as a master mariner for many years, but passed his last days upon a farm in Wellfleet.

Thomas A. Higgins, the elder, son of Josiah R., was also a master mariner, and during his active years was captain of several vessels engaged in the coasting trade. He died at the age of sixty-three years. Sarah F. Higgins, his wife, was a daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Brown) Higgins. She became the mother of five children — Francis A., Lizzie, Nellie, Thomas A., Jr., and Fanny B. Francis A., who is purser on a steamship running between the United States and Porto Rico, is married, and has one son, Elwood F. Lizzie and Nellie are residing at the homestead. Fanny B. married Nehemiah S. Hopkins, of Wellfleet, and her children are: Paul S., Ralph H., and Helen T. Mrs. Sarah F. Higgins, the widow of Thomas A. Higgins, the elder, is still living, and resides with her children.

Thomas Allen Higgins was educated in the common schools and the high school of Wellfleet. Having commenced going to sea at the age of eleven years, he continued as a subordinate until experience in seamanship and knowledge of navigation enabled him to command a vessel; and after that for twelve years he made trips to the West Indies as a master mariner. Abandoning the sea in 1894, he purchased the lumber business of George Baker, of Wellfleet; and-in addition to the above-named commodity he deals in nails, lime, cement, and brick.

On February 25, 1891, Captain Higgins was joined in marriage with Edna P. Hale, of Rowley, Mass., daughter of Daniel and Frances Hale. Daniel Hale was a prosperous farmer. Captain and Mrs. Higgins have three children — Lloyd H., Merle A., and Lida.

The Captain cast his first Presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. He is one of the leading Republicans in this town, having served with ability as a Selectman for three years. He is a Master Mason and belongs to Adams Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Board of Trustees.

also

Source: Richard Higgins: a resident and pioneer settler at Plymouth and Eastham - By Mrs. Katharine Elizabeth Chapin Higgins
699. THOMAS ALLEN8 HIGGINS (Josiah Rich7, Uriah3, Enoch6, Eleazer*, Richard3, Benjamin2, Richard1), born Dec. 20, 1820; died Oct. 2, 1883; married Sarah Foster Higgins, born Aug. 5, 1822; died April 18, 1901; daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Brown) Higgins.

He resided at Wellfleet.

Children.

908. i. Francis Albert, b. Jan. 14, 1848; married Matilda A. Baker.

ii. Elizabeth Augusta, b. April 7, 1851.

iii. Sarah Ellen, b. Jan. 19, 1854.

909. iv. Thomas Allen, b. Feb. 3, 1857; married Ednah P. Hale.
v. Fannie Blanchard, b. Nov. 19, 1862; married Oct. 21, 1885, Dr. Nehemiah Somes Hopkins, a missionary in China. Children: Paul Stanley, b. Jan. 5, 1887, in Tsun Hua, China; Ralph Harrison, b. Aug. 27, 1891; Helen Terry, b. Jan. 12, 1897; Howard, b. ;d. young. Mrs. Fannie B. (Higgins) Hopkins died at Wellfleet, July 30,1916. Dr. Hopkins was the son of Thomas and Hannah (Rich) Hopkins.

http://www.capecodgravestones.com/wellpleasant11.html
Wellfleet Pleasant Hill Cemetery - (aka Methodist Cemetery)
Thomas A Higgins 1883 - October 2 age 62
http://www.capecodgravestones.com/wellpleasant15.html
Sarah F Higgins (wife of Thomas A) 1901 - February 18 age 78

http://plymouthcolony.net/barnstable/vitalrecords/wellfleet/wellbirths1857.html
Transcribed from records of the Town of Wellfleet, Barnstable County, Massachusetts for the year 1857
CHILD-FATHER-MOTHER-DATE
Higgins, Thomas Allen,  Captain , Thomas Allen Higgins,  Sarah Foster Higgins , 8 Feb 1857

HIGGINS-THOMAS-A-29-M-W-MA-MA-BARNSTABLE-WELLFLEET-1850
Image 1 & 2
1850; Census Place: Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts; Roll: M432_303; Page: 85B; Image: 175
Name Age
Thomas A Higgins 29
Lenora A Bitts 0
Sarah F Bitts 28
Francis A Bitts 2

Not found in 1860 census

HIGGINS-THOMAS-A-49-M-W-MA-MA-BARNSTABLE-WELLFLEET-1870
1870; Census Place: Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_600; Page: 400B; Image: 787
Name Age
Thomas A Higgins 49
Sarah F Higgins 47
Francis A Higgins 21
Lizzy A Higgins 19
Nelly S Higgins 16
Thomas A Higgins 13
Fannie B Higgins 7

Household: 1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Thomas A. HIGGINS Self M Male W 59 MA Sea Capt. MA MA
Sarah F. HIGGINS Wife M Female W 57 MA Keeping House MA MA
Frances A. HIGGINS Son S Male W 37 MA Sea Capt. MA MA
Elizabeth A. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 27 MA At Home MA MA
Sarah E. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 25 MA At Home MA MA
Thomas A. HIGGINS Son S Male W 23 MA Sailor MA MA
Fannie B. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 17 MA At Home MA MA
Source Information:
Census Place Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254519
NA Film Number T9-0519 Page Number 123C

HIGGINS-THOMAS-A-43-M-W-MA-MA-BARNSTABLE-WELLFLEET-1900
1900; Census Place: Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts; Roll: T623_631; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 18
Name Age
Thomas A Higgins 43
Edna H Higgins 42
Lloyd H Higgins 8
Merle A Higgins 6
Lida Higgins 4

HIGGINS-THOMAS-A-53-M-W-MA-MA-BARNSTABLE-PROVINCETOWN-1910
Image 1 & 2
1910; Census Place: Provincetown, Barnstable, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_571; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0016; Image: 524
Name Age
Thomas A Higgins 53
Ednah P Higgins 52
Lida Higgins 14
Lloyd H Higgins 18
Merle A Higgins 16

.............

14 June 2010

http://obits.masslive.com/obituaries/masslive/obituary.aspx?n=james-m-higgins&pid=138718366

-James M. Higgins (1925 - 2010)-

James M. Higgins 1925 - 2010 SOUTHAMPTON - James M. Higgins, 84, of Southampton, MA died on Sunday January 17, 2010 at Holyoke Medical Center. He was born in Springfield, Ohio on July 1925 to Charles and Margaret (Brown) Higgins. Jim was a 1924 graduate of Catholic Central High School, Springfield, Ohio. He enlisted in 1943 in the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theater as a photographer's mate after completing Navy Photographic School and Aircrew training in PBY aircraft. He was also a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In l948, Jim was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF and served as a radar/bombardier in B-29 aircraft during the Korean War completing 50 combat missions and 450 combat hours. Continuing his career, Jim served at a number of AF bases in various flight and staff positions, completing his overseas assignment with a four-year tour of duty, accompanied by his family, at Ernest Harmon AFB, Newfoundland. His final assignment was with the 99th Bomb Wing, Westover AFB where he served in a support capacity as a master navigator during the Vietnam War until he retired in 1970 as a Lt. Col. after 27 years of active duty. During his military career, Lt. Col. Higgins received numerous awards and decorations among them the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars for participation in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa missions, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, WWII victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, USAF Combat Readiness medal and various other awards. During his tour of active duty, Jim continued his education by attending evening college classes wherever he was stationed. In 1971 he completed a B.S. degree, and ME degree in 1974 and a CAGS degree in Educational Psychology in 1976, all at American International College, Springfield MA. Following his retirement from the military, Jim enjoyed a second career teaching in the Holyoke Public School System with assignments at Lawrence Jr. High, William Whiting and Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan Elementary Schools, retiring in 1994 after 22 years. Jim was a communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield, MA. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, an honorary life member and long-time recorder of the K.C. Council #100 and a 4th Degree member of the K.C. Archbishop Williams Assembly #0388. He was also a lifetime member of the following Veterans' organizations in Westfield: American Legion Post # 454, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1847, Vietnam Veterans Chapter #219 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter #41 in Holyoke, MA. He leaves his devoted wife Kay (McDermett) of nearly 61 years to whom he is eternally grateful for the gift of their six wonderful children and for the many sacrifices she made in bringing up the family during his many deployments. Jim also leaves his daughter Nancy and her spouse Robert Gwinn, Roseville, CA; son John and his spouse Michele (Snyder), Southampton, MA; son Charles and spouse Maryann Scott-Smith, Wilbraham, MA; daughter Kathryn Ann Crigger and her spouse Douglas, Southampton, MA; son Thomas Mark and his spouse Helen (Miller), Needham, MA; son James Michael and his spouse Karen (Moynahan), Colorado Springs, CO. He also leaves eleven grandchildren: Heather Higgins, Michelle Pellerin and her spouse Will, Melissa Higgins, Alyson Higgins, Bryan Goodkowsky, Amie Crigger, Natashia Lilly and her spouse Aeron, Gage Higgins, Shannon Higgins, Mark Higgins and Sean Higgins. He leaves one great-grand daughter: Hayllie Lilly. He is also survived by his sister Catherine of Columbus OH, his brother Charles and his spouse Joyce and their children of Huntsville, Al and his sister-in-law Nancy Chick and her spouse Charles and their children of Ft. Worth, TX. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother John who was killed in action during the Naval battle of the Philippines in 1945 and his brother Father Thomas C. Higgins, Maryknoll priest who died in 2004 after serving as a missionary in Bolivia for over 40 years. Jim also leaves his long-time WWII buddy Joe Jurlina of Columbus, OH. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield MA. The funeral will be Friday, January 22, 2009 at 8:30 AM followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Mass Memorial veterans Cemetery in Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, if desired, may be sent to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302, WWI Memorial Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project. PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or to a charity of choice. firtionadams.com

Published in The Republican on January 20, 2010

1930; Census Place: Springfield, Clark, Ohio; Roll 1757; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 31; Image: 209 (no image available)
Name Age
Charles J Higgins 50 b. W. V. Parents b. Ireland Occ. Elevator Mechanic
Margaret J Higgins 42 b. Ohio Father b. Ireland Mother b. N.Y.
John P Higgins 7
Thomas C Higgins 6
James M Higgins 4 8/12
Catharine M Higgins 2 11/12

Social Security Death Index
Name: James M. Higgins
Last Residence: 01073 Southampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts
Born:24 Jul 1925 Died:17 Jan 2010
State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (Before 1951)

....................

20 Feb 2010

Source: Schools and schoolboys of old Boston: an historical chronicle of the public schools of Boston. By Arthur Wellington Brayley - Published 1894

Richard Rich Higgins,

Born in Wellfleet, Mass., Feb. 19, 1830, was the son of J. S. Higgins, who was born in Wellfleet in 1808, and died in Boston in 1866, and of Betsey Rich (Freeman) Higgins of Wellfleet, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Richard coming to Boston in 1832 was sent at the age of four to a primary school kept by Miss Cushing, in a wooden building located on Cambridge street, opposite Buttolf street. In 1837 he attended the old Mayhew School, then held in the building on Chardon street, which is now used as a club stable. Mr. Walker was then master; A. D. Capen and W. D. Swan were respectively writing and grammar masters. From this school Mr. Higgins graduated with honor in 1845, having among his classmates, Jonas D. French, and J. H. Bancroft. He then spent two years taking a full course at Truro Academy, a noted educational institution of those days, the principal of which was then J. H. Davis, who is now superintendent of schools at Somerville, Mass. After finishing his course there he came to Boston, where he spent one year working as a clerk in the store of Lorenzo Burge, under the Marlborough Hotel upon Washington street.

Mr. Higgins then entered into business with his father at 112 and 114 (now 128 and 130) Court street, where Mr. Higgins, Sr., opened the first oyster saloon up-town, as Court street was then considered in Boston, his establishment dating from 1828, and having become at this time a noted institution much frequented by the business men of the day. After his father's death, Richard and his brother, John S. Higgins, Jr., took charge of the business, having also a wholesale department located on Howard street, and a store on the Philadelphia Packet Pier. In 1870 the retail business was sold, and Mr. Higgins has since devoted his entire attention to the wholesale trade, which has steadily grown until it is now one of the largest in that line in Boston. In the same year the store on the Philadelphia pier was removed to 142 and 144 Atlantic avenue, where it is still located.

Mr. Higgins married, in 1851, Miss Emma Drake of Rye, N. H., who left one daughter, who is now married to Dr. George A. Leeland of Boylston street. By his second wife he has three daughters, who still live with him at his residence, 273 Newbury street, Boston. Mr. Higgins is a prominent Mason, having taken thirty-two degrees in that order, and is well known and highly regarded in business and social circles in Boston.

HIGGINS RICHD R 21 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 5-WD BOSTON 1850
Name Age
Richard R Higgins 21
Emeline Higgins 20
Edmund Higgins 0

HIGGINS RICHD R 30 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 5-WD BOSTON 1860
Name Age
Richd R Higgins 30
Emma Higgins 30
Edwd R Higgins 10
Emma A Higgins 8
Clarence F Higgins 4
Alice P Higgins 2

HIGGINS RICHARD 40 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 3-WD BOSTON 1870
Image 1 & 2
Name Age
Richard Higgins 40
Emma Higgins 40
Edward Higgins 20
Clarence Higgins 14
Alice Higgins 12

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Richard HIGGINS Self M Male W 50 MA Oyster Dealer MA MA
Kittie HIGGINS Wife M Female W 32 MA Keeping House NH MA
Emma G. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 4 MA MA MA
Carrie HIGGINS Dau S Female W 7 MA MA MA
Source Information:
Census Place Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254555
NA Film Number T9-0555 Page Number 439B

HIGGINS RICHARD R 70 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 11-WD BOSTON 1900
Name Age
Richard R Higgins 70
Kittie O Higgins 52
Emma G Higgins 24
Carrie B Higgins 21
Ruth F Higgins 12
Rebecca R Higgins 10
Julia A Crone 23

Richard Rich Higgins dies April 11, 1904
Obituary from Boston Daily Globe 15 Apr 1904

......................

06 Feb 2010

Source: The Roxbury Massachusetts directory - 1866

Higgins Bernard, laborer, house Brooks, near Parker
Higgins Dennis, laborer, house Cherry, near Quincy
Higgins James, laborer, house Norfolk avenue, near the railroad
Higgins John, house 24 Adams
Higgins John F. laborer, boards 2 Ward's Block, Charles
Higgins Martin, currier, boards 192 Tremont
Higgins Patrick, laborer, boards 52 Orange
Higgins Patrick, laborer, house Kemble, corner East
Higgins Peter, sutler (Marine Barracks, Charlestown), house
Rockland, near Warren
Higgins Thomas, laborer, h. 2 Ward's Block, Charles, n. Parker
Higgins Timothy, baker, house Prentiss, near Tremont
Higgins Willard S. tinsmith, house 3 Station
Higgins Willard S. boards 3 Station (Co. B, 24th Regt.)

.....................

01 Feb 2010

The Salem directory (Mass) By George Adams - Published 1886
Higgins David P. blacksmith, house 15 Hardy
Higgins Edward F. salesman, 179 Essex, house 4 Ropes
Higgins Emma F. widow, house 7 River
Higgins E. Elliot, shoemaker, 82 Boston, boards 7 River
Higgins Hanson R. removed to Hingham
Higgins Jane, at Almshouse
Higgins Joanna, widow, house 15 Hardy
Higgins John, carpenter, house 59 Derby
Higgins Joseph J. currier, boards 163 Federal
Higgins Lona E. Miss, boards 7 River
Higgins Mary J. dressmaker, boards 163 Federal
Higgins Maurice, currier, 428 Essex, house 9 Green's pi.
Higgins P. Philip, foreman currier, rear 109 Mason, house 163 Federal
Higgins Samuel, shoemaker, house 13 North Pine
Higgins William II. currier, boards 163 Federal
Higgins Winnie C. shoemaker, 16 Lafayette, bds. 7 River

............................

16 Jan 2010

Source: Cyclopedia of insurance in the United States - Published 1918
- Biographical Sketches -
HIGGINS, ERNEST CHESTER, secretary of the Accident and Liability department of the AEtna Life Insurance Company, Hartford, Conn., was born at Wellfleet, Mass., May 16, 1880, and received a public and high school education. He began his business career as clerk in a grocery store, and entered the insurance business as a clerk in the Boston office of the Employers' Liability Assurance Corporation of London. In 1902 he accepted a position in the liability department of the AEtna Life, and was appointed assistant secretary in March, 1907 and secretary in September, 1911.

- Webmaster's Findings -

Source: Richard Higgins: a resident and pioneer settler at Plymouth and Eastham - By Mrs. Katharine Elizabeth Chapin Higgins - Published 1918
916. MARSHALL IRVING9 HIGGINS (William Henry3, Enoch7, Ephraim6, Enoch*, Eleazer*, Richard3, Benjamin3, Richard1), born July 3, 1854; married May 7, 1874, Hope Doane Smith, daughter of Hope Doane and Sarah Maria (Newcomb) Smith of Wellfleet, Mass.

He resided at Wellfleet.
Children.
979. i. Francis Irving, b. Dec. 12, 1874; married Miss Crowell.
980. ii. Ernest Chester, b. May 16, 1880; married Annie Baker Higgins.
iii. Sadie Newcomb, b. Sept. 11, 1881.

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Marshal HIGGINS Self M Male W 25 MA Huckster MA MA
Hope D. HIGGINS Wife M Female W 24 MA Keeping House MA MA
Francis I. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 5 MA At School MA MA
Marshal HIGGINS Son S Male W 1M MA MA MA
Source Information:
Census Place Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254519
NA Film Number T9-0519 Page Number 130B

HIGGINS MARSHALL 45 M W MA MA BARNSTABLE WELLFLEET 1900
Name Age
Marshall Higgins 45
Hope D Higgins 44
Frances I Higgins 25
Ernest C Higgins 20
Sadie N Higgins 18

HIGGINS MASHALL I 55 M W MA MA BARNSTABLE WELLFLEET 1910
Name Age
Marshall I Higgins 55
Hope D Higgins 54

HIGGINS ERNEST C 31 M W MA CT HARTFORD 10-WD HARTFORD 1910
Name Age
Ernest C Higgins 31
Annie B Higgins 31

HIGGINS MARSHALL I 65 M W MA MA BARNSTABLE WELLFLEET 1920
Name Age
Marshall I Higgins 65
Hope B Higgins 64

HIGGINS ERNEST C 39 M W MA CT HARTFORD 9-WD;HARTFORD;HARTFORD 1920 .
Name Age
Ernest C Higgins 39

1930; Census Place: West Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut; Roll 269; Page: 61A; Enumeration District: 228; Image: 347 (No Image Available)
Name Age
Ernest C Higgins 48

1930; Census Place: Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts; Roll 883; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 19; Image: 699 (No Image Available)
Name Age
Marshall I Higgins 75
Anna W Fruman 53

Source: The Hartford Courant 26 Sep 1936
Obituary of Marshall Higgins, father of Earnest

......

01 Oct 2009

- An inquiry from the guestbook -

My great-grand father, James Higgins, arrived in the U. S. from Wexford/Sligo county, during the Civil War era and settled in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA. I do not know who James married, but I do know my grandfather, John Timothy Higgins, was his oldest son. Another son was Thomas and a sister named Mary. John Timothy Higgins married Delia L. Murphy and also lived in Dorchester. My father, James Francis Higgins, was their oldest child along with a brother, John J. Higgins, Mary Agnes Higgins and George Andrew Higgins, S. J. I know very little about this branch of Higgins'; any information would be welcomed.

Sincerely,  Judy Higgins Parker    bowdoinstreet AT aol.com

- Webmaster's Findings -
HIGGINS JAMES 36 M W IREL MA SUFFOLK 16-WD BOSTON 1870
(Subject to confirmation)
Name Age
James Higgins 36 Gardener
Bridget Higgins 40
Mary Higgins 5
Thomas Higgins 3
John Higgins 1

Household:1880 (Subject to confirmation)
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
James HIGGINS Self M Male W 45 IRE Gardener IRE IRE
Bridget HIGGINS Wife M Female W 45 IRE Keeping House IRE IRE
Mary E. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 15 MA At School IRE IRE
Thomas F. HIGGINS Son S Male W 13 MA At School IRE IRE
John T. HIGGINS Son S Male W 11 MA At School IRE IRE
Source Information:
Census Place Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254561
NA Film Number T9-0561 Page Number 4B

HIGGINS JOHN T 32 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 20-WD BOSTON 1900
Name Age
John T Higgins 32
Delia L Higgins 33
James F Higgins 3
John J Higgins 1

HIGGINS JOHN T 41 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 20-WD BOSTON 1910
Name Age
John T Higgins 41 Clerk at Wholesale House
Dellia L Higgins 40
James F Higgins 12
John J Higgins 11
Mary A Higgins 8
George A Higgins 1 10/12
James Higgins 70 Grandfather
Thomas F Higgins 38 Brother

HIGGINS JOHN T 52 M W MA MA SUFFOLK 11-WD BOSTON 1920           

 Name Age
John T Higgins 52 b. Mass parents born Ireland Office Clerk
Delia L Higgins 51 b. Mass Both parents b. Mass
James F Higgins 22
John J Higgins 21 Telegrapher
Mary A Higgins 18 Telephone operator
George A Higgins 11

..................................

09 Aug 2009

http://obits.masslive.com/obituaries/masslive/obituary.aspx?n=raymond-m&pid=127444292

Obituary

Raymond M. Higgins 1911-2009 HOLYOKE - Raymond M. Higgins, 98, passed away peacefully at home on May 15, 2009 in Orting, WA after a brief illness. Ray was born in Holyoke on January 24, 1911 to John F. and Emma (Markert) Higgins. He attended the Ingleside School and Holyoke High School. Ray left Holyoke during the Great Depression to find work in New York City with Bell Laboratories. He married Clara Huslik on April 6, 1940 in Mt. Kisco, NY. Later he worked for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and Manufacturers Trust Company, which became part of JP Morgan Chase. He retired to Essex Junction, VT in 1978 to enjoy gardening, travel and railroad history. Ray and Claire moved to Washington State in 2003 to live with their son, Edward, and family. He was preceded in death by his brother, James, and his sister, Katherine. He is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Clara (Huslik); his sons, Raymond of Holyoke and Edward (Diana) of Orting, WA, two grandchildren, Garth of Orting, WA, and Megan of Gold Beach, OR, and several nieces and nephews. Ray was always a gentleman and was known for his perseverance when faced with adversity. We will miss his kind and gentle manner. A private graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, is handling arrangements.
Published in The Republican on May 19, 2009

- Webmaster's Findings -

HIGGINS JOHN F 29 M W MA MA HAMPDEN 3-WD HOLYOKE 1910
Name Age
John F Higgins 29
Emma D Higgins 24
James C Higgins 2
Catherine W Higgins 1 11/12
George A Walker 9 nephew

HIGGINS JOHN F 38 M W MA MA HAMPDEN 3-WD HOLYOKE 1920
Name Age
John F Higgins 38 b. Mass, Fthr & Mthr b.Ire. Metal Worker at Paper Mill
Emma M Higgins 34
James C Higgins 12
Catherine W Higgins 11
Raymond M Higgins 8

..........................................

30 Jul 2009

Source: Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, biographical--genealogical By William Richard Cutter, American Historical Society - 1916  (Link to book at Google Books)

  - John Francis Higgins - Well-Known Citizen -

At his father's brass foundry in Holyoke, John Francis Higgins learned the business in its various details and there holds the position of foreman. He is a son of James Edward Higgins, founder of the business of which he is now head, and grandson of Michael Higgins, born in Ireland, later came to the United States, settled in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he was in the employ of Belcher & Taylor, manufacturers of agricultural machinery. Michael Higgins married Mary Williams, and they are the parents of David, Alice, Mary A. and James E. Higgins.

James Edward Higgins was born at Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, and there has ever retained his residence. After completing public school study, he learned the moulder's trade and for fifteen years was in the employ of Graves & Kinney at their foundry in Holyoke. He then established a brass foundry in Holyoke, under his own name, which he successfully conducts. He has always taken an interest in the public life of Chicopee Falls, his home, has served as license commissioner and register of voters and in other capacities. He married Elizabeth Malley, of Chicopee, and they are the parents of four sons: John Francis, of further mention; James A., David V., and Frank, deceased.

John Francis Higgins, eldest son of James Edward and Elizabeth (Malley) Higgins, was born at Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, July 16, 1882, and was there educated in the public school. He began work with his father in the brass foundry in Holyoke, learned brass moulding in all its branches, and finally became foundry foreman, which position he now fills. He is also treasurer of the Gas Safety Appliance Company of Holyoke, manufacturing an improved gas cut off. He is a member of the Foresters of America, and in politics is an Independent. Mr. Higgins married, October 25, 1908, Anna Moriarity, daughter of Henry F. Moriarity, of Chicopee. They are the parents of a son, Frank, born in April, 1913.

 - Webmaster's Findings -

HIGGINS MICHAEL 28 M W IREL MA HAMPDEN CHICOPEE 1860
Name Age
Michael Higgins 28
Mary Higgins 25
James Higgins 3
Mary A Higgins 2.12

HIGGINS MICHAEL 40 M W IREL MA HAMPDEN CHICOPEE 1870
Name Age
Michael Higgins 40
Morry Higgins 38
James Higgins 11
Mary Ann Higgins 10
Alice Higgins 8
Ellen Higgins 1

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Michael HIGGINS Self M Male W 46 IRE Watchman IRE IRE
Mary HIGGINS Wife M Female W 45 ENG Keeping House ENG IRE
James HIGGINS Son S Male W 22 MA Works Iron Foundry ENG IRE
Mary HIGGINS Dau S Female W 19 MA Works Cotton Mill ENG IRE
Alice HIGGINS Dau S Female W 13 MA At School ENG IRE
David HIGGINS Son S Male W 6 MA At School ENG IRE
Source Information:
Census Place Chicopee, Hampden, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254534
NA Film Number T9-0534 Page Number 201A

1900; Census Place: Chicopee Ward 6, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll T623_650 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 517 (No Image Available)
Name Age
Michael Higgins 66
Mary Higgins 64
Mary A Higgins 39
Alice Higgins 33
David Higgins 25

HIGGINS JAMES E 40 M W MA MA HAMPDEN CHICOPEE 1900
Name Age
James E Higgins 40
Elizabeth A Higgins 32
John A Higgins 17
James A Higgins 14
David Higgins 9
Elizabeth Harland 33

HIGGINS JAMES 52 M W MA MA HAMPDEN 6-WD CHICOPEE 1910
Name Age
James Higgins 52
Elizabeth Higgins 53
John F Higgins 26
Annie Higgins 26
James E Higgins 24
David A Higgins 18

HIGGINS JAMES E 62 M W MA MA HAMPDEN 6-WD CHICOPEE 1920
Name Age
James E Higgins 62
Elizabeth Higgins 65
David Higgins 29
James Higgins 35

Living next door to James E. Higgins is
HIGGINS JOHN F 37 M W MA MA HAMPDEN 6-WD CHICOPEE 1920
Name Age
John F Higgins 37
Annie Higgins 36
Frank Higgins 6
Elizabeth Higgins 1

1930; Census Place: Chicopee, Hampden, Massachusetts; Roll 905; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 117; Image: 508    (No Image Available)
Name Age
James A Higgins 64
Elizabeth A Higgins 62

.......................

10 Jul 2009

Source: Dartmouth College, Class of 1856 - PRINTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION - 1888

GEORGE HIGGINS, (Apr 13,1833 - Dec 7,1880)

son of Solomon H.** and Phebe (Coburn)** Higgins, was born in Andover, Mass., April 13, 1833; prepared for college at Phillips academy, Andover, Mass., Samuel H. Taylor (D. C., 1832), principal; entered with the class, and left college at the end of Sophomore year; after leaving college taught school for a while in Iowa, then returned to Andover, Mass., for a time ; then removed to Chicago, Ill., where he had a furniture factory; in 1860 went to Denver, Col., and remained there three years; then went to Virginia City, Montana territory; then to Helena, in the same territory, where he remained eight years in business ; after that, he lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, three years; in Deadwood, Dakota territory, one year; thence to Leadville. Col., where he died December 7, 1880.

Was married August 16, 1858, to Anna E., daughter of Henry Appleton and Harriet (Porter) Williams, of Portsmouth, N. H.

Children.— Henry Williams, born July 13, 1860, and now in the Colorado National Bank, at Denver, Col.; George, Jr. born May 1, 1863, died June 18, 1867; Caroline L., born May 26, 1865; Mary I., born November 23, 1868, died April 4, 1874.

07 Jul 2009

Source: Biographical Sketches of the Class of 1868, Dartmouth College
By Dartmouth College. Class of 1868 Printed By The Rumford Press, Concord, N. H. 1913

MILTON PRINCE HIGGINS

The son of Lewis and Susan (Whitney) Higgins, was born in Standish, Me., December 7, 1842.

The following is quoted from a Worcester (Mass.) paper issued at the time of his death:

In his father's blacksmith and general repair shop he got his first taste of mechanical work, and there developed a love for tools and machinery which he had all his life. Desiring to carry out this line of work ... he went to Manchester, N. H., at the age of seventeen years and served an apprenticeship in the shops of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. . . . While there he became impressed with the power and standing which education appeared to give to his associates. With him to think was always to act, and he immediately began to study and to lay aside money for a college education. By earnest effort he was able to work his way through Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the class of 1868, with the degree of bachelor of science. (He entered the Chandler Scientific Department the third term of freshman year.) It was characteristic of Mr. Higgins that he retained his pride in his trade all his life. He considered his college education a mere rounding out of his mechanical training and almost an incidental part of the vocation in which he took such pride.

Three years previous to his graduation, Worcester Polytechnic Institute had been made possible by the gift of John Boynton. The Washburn Shops had just been provided for by Ichabod Washburn, whose desire was that the shops should always be open to the students of the institute, for the practice of their trades.

The trustees, in casting about for a superintendent for the Washburn Shops, were directed to Mr. Higgins as being eminently well fitted by the nature of his thought, ambition and training for the difficult position of making a practically commercial shop a part of an engineering institute.

And from the necrology blank, filled out by Mrs. Higgins, the following:

In his superintendency of the Washburn Shops at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1869 to 1896 he proved that the education of boys in a commercial shop best fitted them for business or manufacturing careers or to be leaders in industrial education, while at the same time the shops were made a financial success. These were the first shops of the kind in this country. Two years after his resignation he was made trustee of the same institution and continued until his death. His greatest interest was trade education for the masses. In this he was the pioneer in this country, beginning his experiments with summer schools in the Washburn Shops during the regular public school vacation period, developing his ideas until in 1899 and 1900 his papers before the American Society of Mechanical Engineers elicited more discussion than any others. He was chairman of the first meeting of the National Society of Industrial Education held in Cooper Union Hall, New York City. Later he was on the Douglas Commission appointed to further the work and formulate plans for industrial education in Massachusetts. He was president of the Board of Independent Trustees for Industrial or Trade Schools in Worcester, Mass., until his death and had the great satisfaction of seeing a school for teaching trades established and flourishing on the lines he had laid out, viz., a commercial shop taught by experts in their trades—book knowledge which would fit boys to understand their business—cultural training and training for good citizenship—and boys admitted after they were fourteen years of age. His motto was as follows: Philosophy of Learning a Trade—" To make a good living; to have a happy family; to make preparation for hard times; to wear overalls in the shop with the same dignity as good clothes on Sunday; to be confident you are laying a sure foundation for any future success; to feel that you are master of your work, and that you share the creative spirit; this is the wholesome philosophy of learning a trade."

Mr. Higgins went for a year to Atlanta to shape the course in the shop of the Georgia School of Technology, also he made the plans for the industrial department of the Miller Manual Labor School in Crozet, Albermarle County, Va.

He bought out in 1885 a struggling business which consisted of the making of emery wheels and gigs by the old fashioned foot-power method. He surrounded himself with a few others and organized the Norton Emery Wheel Company of which he was president at his death. These are the largest manufacturers of wheels and they have works at Worcester, Mass., Niagara Falls, in Canada, and in Germany. He also organized and was president of the Norton Grinding Company, located also in Worcester, of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company, the Manchester Supply Company, located in Manchester, N. H., and some other smaller concerns.

Quoting again from the Worcester paper:

It was largely through his continued and able efforts that the city of Worcester, in 1908, decided on the establishment of a school which embodied many of the original ideas of Mr. Higgins and others which were suggested by the later study of the situation. It was one of the great satisfactions of Mr. Higgins' life that he lived to see the present Boys' Trade School open to the public and running successfully. He was interested keenly in the Girls' Trade School also and a strong advocate of thorough training for young women.

Shortly after his resignation from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute he was made a trustee of that institution, so that his connection with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute extended over a period of about forty-four years.

He was for a time vice-president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was also president of the Manchester Supply Company of Manchester, N. H., and of the Sanford, Riley Stoker Company, Ltd., of Providence. He was a director of the Mechanics National Bank of Worcester. He was a charter member and officer of the Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education.

He married Miss Katherine Elizabeth Chapin at Manchester, N. H., June 15, 1870. She and their four children survive him, Aldus C. and John W., of Worcester, Mrs. R. Santord Riley of Providence, and Mrs. Lewis I. Prouty of Brookline.

He died of heart disease in Worcester, Mass., March 8,1912

Photographs
At Graduation & Recent (1912)

- Webmaster's Findings -

HIGGINS LEWIS 47 W M STANDISH CUMBERLAND ME 1850
Name Age
Lewis Higgins 47
Susan Higgins 46
Freeman Higgins 20
Orlando M Higgins 18
Elijah L Higgins 17
Martha E Higgins 14
Merrill Higgins 12
Arravesta Higgins 10
Aramantha Higgins 10
Milton Higgins 7
Edmund Higgins 3
Hadley F Higgins 0

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Milton P. HIGGINS Self M Male W 37 ME Machinist ME ME
Cathrine HIGGINS Wife M Female W 31 NH Keeping House MA MA
Aldus C. HIGGINS Son S Male W 7 MA At School ME NH
Jno.W. HIGGINS Son S Male W 5 MA At School ME NH
Katharine HIGGINS Dau S Female W 1 MA At Home ME NH
Aldus M. CHAPEN Other Male W 69 MA Teacher Technical School MA MA
Bridget POWER Other Female W 35 IRE Domestic Servant IRE IRE
Source Information:
Census Place Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254567
NA Film Number T9-0567 Page Number 61A

also

Source: History of Worcester and its people, Volume 3 By Charles Nutt - Published in New York - 1919

MILTON PRINCE HIGGINS, first Superintendent of the Washburn shops of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, founder of the Plunger Elevator Company, and of the Norton Emery Wheel Company, president of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company and of the Sanford Riley Stoker Company of Worcester, was born in Standish, Maine, December 7, 1842, and died in Worcester, March 7, 1912, son of Lewis and Susan (Whitney) Higgins.

He was of the eighth generation from Richard Higgins, the pioneer of the family in this country, a native of England, in Plymouth as early as 1633, and one of the seven founders of Eastham on Cape Cod, of which for many years he was one of the most prominent citizens, serving as selectman, chosen deputy to the General Court in 1647, 1653, 1655, 1657, 1658, 1660, 1665, and holding various other places of trust and honor. Benjamin Higgins, son of Benjamin Higgins and grandson of Richard Higgins, married Sarah Freeman, a descendant of Governor Thomas Prince, and of Elder William Brewster, who came in the "Mayflower." Timothy Higgins, of the fifth generation, son of Freeman Higgins, and grandson of Benjamin Higgins, Jr. (3), was the first of the family to leave Eastham, locating among the first settlers of Standish. Maine, and building a grist mill there. Prince Higgins, son of Freeman Higgins, was a skillful mechanic, operating a cider mill and cooper shop at Standish, a man of fine physique and great strength of mind and body, a leading citizen, whose characteristics were inherited to a marked degree by his grandson, Milton Prince Higgins. His wife, Selina Higgins, daughter of Seth and Martha (Linnell) Higgins, was of the same stock, descending from Jonathan Higgins, son of the immigrant, and his wife, Elizabeth (Rogers) Higgins whose father and grandfather both came in the "Mayflower."

Lewis Higgins, son of Prince Higgins, inherited the talent and skill of his father and followed the various occupations in which his father had been engaged, but eventually sold his property at Standish and removed to White Rock in Gorham, Maine. Susan Whitney whom he married, was descended from John and Elinor Whitney, who were among the founders of Watertown and the immigrant ancestor of a notable Massachusetts family. Of the eleven children of Lewis and Susan Higgins, many showed exceptional mechanical and executive ability. Freeman Higgins was a prominent business man, a member of the New Hampshire Legislature, and the pioneer superintendent of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company machine shops at Manchester, New Hampshire; Orlando Melvin Higgins was for many years in charge of the shop students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Edmund F. Higgins is president of the Manchester Supply Company, the largest wholesale establishment for Plumbers' Supplies in New Hampshire.

Milton Prince Higgins attended the public schools in Standish and prepared for college by employing private tutors after attending Gorham Academy in Maine. He entered Dartmouth College from which he was graduated in 1868. His student life was interrupted, however, by the necessity of earning funds for his tuition and expenses. For three years he took the apprentice training in the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company shops at Manchester, New Hampshire, and afterward continued with that concern for a time, acquiring invaluable practical experience that fitted him admirably for the work of instruction and the designing of his subsequent career.

In 1868, Mr. Higgins came to Worcester to take charge of the Washburn Shops of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, but as the buildings were not then ready he was occupied from August of that year until the following January as draughtsman and mechanical engineer for the Washburn & Moen Manufacturing Company, being employed by the superintendent, C. H. Morgan, who was a trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. As superintendent he also cooperated with Ichabod Washburn, the founder of the shops, in planning, building and operation. In full sympathy with the purposes of Mr. Washburn and well equipped by natural gifts and training, he proved a most valuable man for the position of superintendent and from the beginning demonstrated the value and importance of the commercial shops in technical education. He not only gave to the students practical experience in machine shop but actually made the shops a source of profit to the institution. In this field of education he was a pioneer and his methods were adopted in industrial training throughout the country. The graduates of the institute equipped with the training of the Washburn shops under his skillful and practical management, found their places early in the world of business and industry and their efficiency as mechanical engineers gave the institute a reputation second to none.

The manufacture of a hydraulic elevator, the valves of which were designed by Mr. Higgins, proved the chief source of revenue for the shops, and in the course of time the elevator business became so large that the trustees considered it as too extensive for an educational institution and decided to sell it. Though Mr. Higgins was opposed to the sale of the elevator business, when the decision of the trustees was made, he became the purchaser and continued the business under the name of the Plunger Elevator Company, a corporation organized in 1896 with a capital of $50,000. It soon became one of the substantial and prosperous industries of the city, occupying an extensive plant at Greendale. Mr. Higgins was president of the company until the business was finally sold to the Otis Elevator Company. Professor George I. Alden, who was also a member of the faculty at the institute, was a partner of Mr. Higgins in the purchase, organization and development of the elevator business and was treasurer of the company.

Mr. Higgins was also the organizer of the Norton Emery Wheel Company, which has had a phenomenal growth and prosperity. It was an outgrowth of a department of F. B. Norton's pottery plant in Worcester and was purchased by Mr. Higgins and Mr. Alden and incorporated in 1885. Subsequently, they formed the Norton Grinding Company, manufacturers of grinding machinery. Both plants are located in Greendale near Barber's Crossing. In 1893, the business of the Grant Corundum Wheel Manufacturing Company of Chester, Massachusetts, was purchased by the Norton Emery Wheel Company and subsequently a large plant was erected at Niagara Falls, operated by electric power, manufacturing the newly invented abrasive Alundum for making grinding wheels. Branches were established also at Wesseling, Germany, and at Chippewa, Canada. Much of the machinery manufactured by these companies was designed by Mr. Higgins. A more extended account of the Norton Company, the present corporate name under which the various companies founded by Mr. Higgins and Mr. Alden are now operated, is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Higgins remained at the head of these industries to the end of his life. He was also president of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company, of which he was the principal founder; president of the Manchester Supply Company, wholesale dealers in plumbers' supplies at Manchester, New Hampshire; president of the Sanford Riley Stoker Company of Worcester, and a director of the Mechanics National Bank.

For twenty-eight years he was superintendent of the Washburn shops, and after he resigned he was made a trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and no man contributed more to the development and success of that institution. His interest in manual training, technical education and vocational schools did not cease when he became engaged in manufacturing. Though he carried a heavy load of responsibility, he was in later years even more active in the promotion and encouragement of schools for teaching trades, and was the originator of the independent commercial trade school system in this country. From 1899 until he died he devoted much of his influence and ability in forwarding the movement. At the meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in New York in 1899, he spoke on "The Education of Machinists, Foremen and Mechanical Engineers." The discussion of the ideas presented in this address was so animated and the interest aroused so general that he was requested to speak on the same subject at the next meeting of the society. He consented and both of these epoch-making addresses were published in the proceedings of the society. At every opportunity and in all parts of the country he spoke on the same subject and on kindred topics. In January, 1904, he made a notable address before the Providence Association of Mechanical Engineers on "Half-time Trade School for the Education of Boys" and his ideas were favorably received by many educators and commended by many newspapers and other periodicals. Another important speech was delivered April 24. 1905, before the Worcester Congregational Club on "The Relations of Trade Schools to Industrial Education." In the same year he gave an address in Boston on "The Promotion of Industrial Drawing" and another at the convention of the National Teachers' Association on "Industrial Education from the Standpoint of the Manufacturer." He .was the speaker at the commencement exercises of the Newark Technical School at Newark, New Jersey, May 15, 1905. For a year he devoted his time to the organization of the shops connected with the Atlanta School of Technology, and he also aided in organizing the shops at the Miller Manual Labor School in Virginia. Governor Douglas appointed Mr. Higgins chairman of the Worcester commission to act with the state commission on industrial education, and in 1908 he had the satisfaction of seeing the practical application of his ideas in the magnificent trade school erected in Armory Square, Worcester, and subsequently the Girls' Trade School. Both these institutions have been exceedingly useful and practical, carrying out their purposes admirably. A fitting memorial to Mr. Higgins was the enlargement of the Boys' Trade School a few years after his death.

Mr. Higgins was vice-president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers m 1901, 1902, and 1903. In politics he was a Republican. He was a faithful member of Piedmont Congregational Church for many years. He was a member of the Worcester Club.

In an article entitled "Milton P. Higgins, an Appreciation," Herbert N. Davison, secretary of the Worcester Board of Trade, wrote:

Mr. Higgins belonged to a comparatively small group of men, unusual men of great brain, indefatigable industry, unselfish purpose and pronounced determination Who are responsible for the Worcester of to-day. These men came from many walks of life and were peculiarly fitted for the job they set themselves to do, the building here of a community that should be thoroughly democratic and truly individualistic.—No pent-up Utica contracted his powers. Other men believed in him, but from boyhood he believed in himself more intensely than anybody else possibly could. He discovered in himself the germs of leadership. And as he went on from boyhood to youth and from youth to manhood and from manhood to old age, doing the things that other men said could not be done, it is not strange that his character took on some of that iron determination and force that made Luther and Calvin and Napoleon and Cromwell the leaders that they proved.—Mr. Higgins personified in an unusual way the genius of teaching. He was an educationalist all his days; not In that constricted sense in which the term is ordinarily employed, but in that wider and more luminous sense in which we find classified such men as Horace Mann and William Penn, both of them commonwealth builders and revolutionaries of the best type.—He saw earlier than most men the failure of our great technical schools to reach the masses, and once convinced of that fact, he entered upon the task of revolutionizing our school system so that it would provide technical training for the poor boy, as if the job was child's play. The last thirteen years of his life were chiefly given over to preaching the gospel of technical training for that great mass of boys and girls coming out of the middle class families of America, on whom the future of the Republic rests.

When he entered upon this task in 1899, he was absolute pioneer in the field—an 1shmael, if you will, with his hand raised against every man, and everyman's hand raised against him. The apprenticeship system, thanks largely to the closed shop, had practically come to a standstill. No more apprentices were being received in many industries, and the competition between employers for labor resulted in practices far from laudable. Furthermore, the boys and girls were growing up In idleness or else, far worse, were being taught in the schools to despise the honest industry by which their fathers earned their bread. Mr. Higgins revolutionized all that. He gave labor a new dignity by incorporating it in the public school system, and he taught the young themselves that the boy who mastered a lathe or a planer or drill, a carpenter's saw or a draughtsman rule was of just as much account in the world as the man who studied Greek and Latin and mastered them.
Furthermore, two of the most practical trade schools in this country were set up under his supervision and he not only launched them, but helped shape their course for many years to come. Thanks to him, the poor boys can now secure in practically every state in the union the rudiments of a good trade, and the shops in America are again filling up with competent youth, well educated, enthusiastic and reliable.

He saw to it also that the girls had equal privileges thrown open to them. He believed that they had quite as keen an interest in perfecting themselves for their life work as their brothers, and in writing for the annual convention of the manufacturers' association, he advocated that Home Economics should take its place as one of the trades and he insisted that the time for a woman to learn to bake and brew and sew and sweep was before she married instead of afterwards. Unlike most reformers, he had the profound satisfaction in his own day, after contending for years with the colleges the labor agitators, the schools and the employers, of having them one and all confess that his theories were correct and of seeing them put Into practice.

Mr. Higgins married at Manchester, New Hampshire, June 15, 1870, Katharine Elizabeth Chapin, daughter of Aldus M. and Catherine (Sawin) Chapin, of Springfield. Mrs. Higgins also has a national reputation gained in her campaign for enlisting the parents of the country in the support and assistance of the educators. She was one of the pioneers in the movement to bring both teacher and parent into an organization known as the Parent-Teachers Association to increase the efficiency of the public schools. She has made innumerable addresses to mothers and teachers in all parts of this country and organized hundreds of branches of this National Congress in the public schools. She is president of the Massachusetts branch of the National Congress and vice-president of the National Congress of Mothers' and Parent-Teachers Association, and is now devoting most of her time to the promotion of this important work.

Mrs. Higgins has been for many years active in religious and charitable organizations. For a long time she was president of the primary and intermediate Sunday School Union and superintendent of the intermediate department, and she is now superintendent of the junior department of the Sunday school of Piedmont Congregational Church. Se has had charge of the childrens' exercises at various state conventions of the Congregational Sunday schools. Mrs. Higgins is a graduate of Abbot Academy. She is a member of the Worcester Woman's Club and has been chairman of its educational committee. She was also active in the woman's auxiliary of the Young Men's Christian Association in years past and has been chairman of the committee on boys' work. She was formerly regent of Colonel Timothy Bigelow Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and State historian and national chairman of Massachusetts for the conservation of women and children. She is keenly interested in American history and genealogy and has compiled the records of various families in which she is interested. She is now publishing a Genealogy of the Higgins family in America.

Mr and Mrs. Higgins had four children : 1. Aldus Chapin (see biography below). 2. John Woodman (see biography below). 3. Katharine Elizabeth, born August 6, 1878, married R. Sanford Riley, president of the Sanford Riley Stoker Company, Worcester. Mrs. Riley is prominent in the Young Women's Christian Association and the Travelers Aid Association in Worcester, Massachusetts. They reside at No. 228 West street, Worcester, Massachusetts. 4. Olive Chapin, born January 7, 1882, graduate of Smith College, 1904, author of "Bobbie, General Manager," "The Fifth Wheel" and numerous short stories, married Lewis I. Prouty, treasurer of the Carr Fastner Company, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, resides at No. 393 Walnut street, Brookline, Massachusetts.

ALDUS CHAPIN HIGGINS, Secretary and General Counsel of the Norton Company and the Norton Grinding Company and treasurer of the Sanford Riley Stoker Company, was bor n in Worcester, December 7, 1872, son of Milton Prince and Katharine Elizabeth (Chapin) Higgins. He received his early education in the public schools of Worcester and prepared for college in the Worcester High School, entering the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Instead of entering the service of the great corporations of which his father was the head, he decided to study law, following the course that many other graduates of technical schools pursued, and entered the National University Law School at Washington, D. C. At the same time he was appointed assistant examiner in the United States patent office, a position in which his knowledge of mechanics was extensive, fitting him in an exceptional degree for the duties of his present position in which he has to do with the protection of the patents of the company, perfecting new patents requiring a thorough knowledge of mechanics. In 1896 he received from the law schools his degree of Master of Laws, resigned his office in the patent department and was admitted to the bar in Worcester county. After a year of travel he returned to his native city and opened a law office. For several years he was in general practice, but the time came finally when he was asked to devote all his time to the legal business of the Norton Company and its allied corporations. He was elected secretary and general counsel of the Norton Grinding Company, treasurer and counsel of the Sanford Riley Stoker Company in 1912, and since then has filled these positions. During these years of growth, reorganization and expansion in the business of the Norton Companies, the duties of the legal department have been most important and arduous. Mr. Higgins is also a director of the Merchants National Bank. In politics, Mr. Higgins has been an active Republican, serving for a number of years on the Worcester Republican City Committee, of which he was chairman in 1909. He is a member of the Worcester Club, Tatnuck Country Club, also of Piedmont Congregational Church. He is a Young Men's Christian Association campaign manager. He was elected in June, 1918, chairman of the New England section on Industrial Training for the War Emergency Committee.

Mr. Higgins married (first) June 6, 1808, Edgenie Brosius. who died September 24. 1911. He married (second) January 16. 1914, Mary Sprague Green, daughter of James Green, attorney-at-law, Worcester. By his first marriage, Mr. Higgins had two children; Elizabeth Brosius, born October 11, 1900, and Milton Prince, born October 29, 1903.

JOHN WOODMAN HIGGINS, President and Treasurer of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company, was born in Worcester. September 1. 1874, son of Milton Prince and Katharine Elizabeth (Chapin) Higgins. He attended the public schools of his native city, prepared for college in the Worcester High School and entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896 in the electrical engineering course with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately after graduation he became associated in business with his father, and for ten years was secretary and superintendent of the Plunger Elevator Company. He became interested with his father in establishing the Worcester Pressed Steel Company, of which he has been the manager from the beginning in 1904 to the present time. The plant at Greendale has been enlarged from time to time, the business being highly prosperous, especially since the outbreak of the European War. Since the death of his father, Mr. Higgins has been president and treasurer.

Mr. Higgins is also president of the Worcester Strip Steel Mill Company and the Worcester Pressed Steel Pulley Company and the T waits Manufacturing Company, all Massachusetts corporations, with plants at Greendale. off-shoots of the original corporation. He has been a director of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and is a member and former president of the Worcester Branch of the National Metal Trades Association. He has been secretary of the Worcester Congregational Club, and a director and secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association in which he was especially active at the time the new building fund of $365,000 was raised in a week in 1916, contributing early in the campaign $25,000 and inducing by his example and influence many other wealthy men to contribute generously. fie is also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the Worcester Club, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Society of Mayflower Descendants. He is a Congregationalist and an active member of Piedmont Congregational Church.

Mr. Higgins married, January 17, 1906, Clara L. Carter, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Elizabeth Carter, of St. Louis, Missouri. They have two children, Carter Chapin, born October 15, 1914, and Bradley Carter, born November 20, 1916.

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05 Jul 2009

Source: The Hyde Park Historical Record - Published by Hyde Park Historical Society, 1905
David Higgins was born in Standhope, Prince Edward Island, April 21, 1828, died in Hyde Park April 8, 1897, aged 68 years, 11 months, 9 days. He came to Boston from the Provinces in 1853, and to Fairmount in the spring of 1856, and drove the first nail in the first of the twenty houses, on the corner of Fairmount avenue and Beacon street. Feb. 22, 1857, he was married to Miss Antoinette M. Hagerman, in Boston, and came immediately to Fairmount to live. The first school in Fairmount was in the parlor of his house. He sheltered the ministers who came to preach in the new schoolhouse after one was put up. He was a brother of Mrs. John Lawson, an early resident. Mr. Higgins was a master builder and built many of the houses in the early history of the town. He served in the 6th regiment in the Civil War. Was one of the charter members of the Baptist church. He was buried in Fairview.

HIGGINS DAVID 28 M W CANA MA NORFOLK MILTON 1860
Name Age
David Higgins 28
Antoinette N Higgins 27
William Higgins 26

HIGGINS DAVID 41 M W CANA MA NORFOLK HYDE PARK 1870
Name Age
David Higgins 41
A N Higgins 36
Mary Higgins 10

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
David HIGGINS Self M Male W 51 PE ISLAND Carpenter PE ISLAND PE ISLAND
Antoinette HIGGINS Wife M Female W 46 ME Keeping House ME ME
Bertha GARDNER Other S Female W 15 NOVA SCOTIA NOVA SCOTIA NOVA SCOTIA
Source Information:
Census Place Hyde Park, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Family History Library Film 1254548
NA Film Number T9-0548 Page Number 643B

1890 Veterans Census Schedule Massachusetts Norfolk Hyde Park
Private Company "A" 6th Massachusetts Infantry
Length of service 3 months 14 days
Address 238 Fairmont Avenue, Hyde Park, N.Y

HIGGINS ANTONETT 68 F W ME MA NORFOLK HYDE PARK 1900

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15 April 2009

Source: The Worcester Magazine By Worcester (Mass.). Board of Trade, Worcester Chamber of Commerce  1910

The R. H. Higgins Company

A new concern in Worcester is the R. H. Higgins Company, Worcester County agents for the Stearns motor cars, consisting of Ralph H. Higgins and Willard E. Higgins, brothers, formerly of Newtonville, Mass. Ralph H., after completing a course in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, entered the employ of the E. R. Thomas Company of Detroit, Mich., and was later associated with the E-M-F Company in Boston. Willard E. has been prominently identified with the wholesale and retail lumber business, having been for a number of years with the Blacker-Shepard Company of Boston, one of the largest lumber dealers in New England. They have opened an office and garage at 96 Commercial Street. Both are of that type of hustling young men that Worcester is glad to welcome, and their announced determination that the car they represent shall be better known in Worcester County than any other will doubtless lead to a wide acquaintance among our citizens. The Stearns
motor cars are manufactured by the F. B. Stearns Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and have a high rank in the list of leading makes of motor vehicles. Some of the merits claimed for this car are: The use of the finest materials combined with correct design; the elimination of unnecessary parts; proper mechanical balance and even distribution of weight, making the car easy on tires, yet possessing the 'necessary stamina; flexibility of motor and ease of operation of the clutch, rendering maneuvering in crowded streets simple and safe; the use of Continental demountable rims as standard equipment. the silence and ease of its work, making it a surpassing hill-climber with long life and reliability foremost.

The makers claim that the bodies are given the same careful attention as the mechanical construction. In detail, the more important are: rigid system of inspection; perfection of design, giving the air of refinement and grace that proclaim character; particular attention to final finish, upholstering and appointments. The company have a demonstrating car in use, which may be frequently seen about the streets, its distinguishing mark—characteristic of all Stearns cars—being a white band around the radiator.

HIGGINS WILLIAM* S 53 M W MA MA MIDDLESEX 2-WD NEWTON 1900
* Actual text appears to say Willard
Name Age

Willard  Higgins 53
Willard E Higgins 26 Son
Roger W Higgins 19 Son
Ralph H Higgins 12 Son
Fannie M Lane 31 Neice

World War I Draft Registration Card
Name: Willard Elliot Higgins
City: West Newton County: Middlesex
State: Massachusetts Birth Date: 7 Feb 1874
Race: White
&
World War I Draft Registration Card
Name: Ralph H Higgins City: Uxbridge
County: Worcester State: Massachusetts
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Birth Date: 23 Sep 1887 Race: Caucasian (White
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27 Aug 2008

HIGGINS, JOSIAH P. (Higgins, Snow & Co.,) paper, twine, &c.,
36 Merchants' Row, B. res. Oak, n. Maple,
 see  Trade Card

Household:1880
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age
Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 
Josiah P. HIGGINS Self M Male W 39 ME Merchant ME ME
Flora HIGGINS Wife M Female W 35 ENG Keeping House ENG ENG
Susan B. HIGGINS Dau S Female W 1 MA ME ENG
Martha GILLIS Other S Female W 20 CAN Domestic CAN CAN
Abbie E. SMITH Cousin W Female W 50 ME ME ME 
Source Information:
Census Place Hyde Park, Norfolk, Massachusetts Family History Library Film 1254548
NA Film Number T9-0548 Page Number 649B