- 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

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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

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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

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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

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

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