Conway-Perry-Yell County ArArchives Biographies.....Higgins, William V. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 8, 2009, 9:48 am Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) WILLIAM V. HIGGINS. At eighty years of age William V. Higgins is a hale and hearty man, and although he is now retired from business he remains a factor in the world's work, inasmuch as he gives out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. For many years he was active in agricultural circles, likewise in the conduct of a mercantile business and in ginning, and won success that can be attributed to his energy and diligence and, above all, to his honesty and integrity. The years marked his advancement and at length he reached a position where he fell that his success and his age justified his retirement. The most envious could not grudge him his prosperity, so well has it been won and so worthily used. William V. Higgins was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, on the 18th of August, 1841, a son of Michael M. and Mary L. (Partee) Higgins, both natives of the Southland. They came to Yell county, this state, in 1846, making the trip hy boat, and the father purchased some land in the county. He cleared it himself and resided thereon until his removal to Perry county, where he farmed until his demise in 1855, when forty-six years of age. Mrs. Higgins died at the age of seventy-four years. Seven children were born to their union: Marcia, J. M. M., Pollyann, Mary Jane, Mathias P., and Arkansas, all deceased; and William V., whose name initiates this review. The family was reared in the faith of the Baptist church and Mr. Higgins was a stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the interests of which he took an active part. In the acquirement of an education William V. Higgins attended the old log schoolhouses of Perry county, walking a distance of three miles each day. At the age of twenty years he enlisted in the Confederate army and served under Colonel Merrett and General Bowen, participating in many of the important battles of the war, among them those of Shiloh and Port Hudson. He was captured at Port Hudson but was soon paroled and then went into a hospital at Helena. He was in active service four years. At the close of hostilities he returned to Conway county, without a dollar to his name, and securing some land he engaged in farming, achieving such success as soon enabled him to buy a tract of land. He carried on general farming and stock raising and was known throughout the county as one of the most progressive farmers. For five years Mr. Higgins conducted a mercantile business in Oppelo and he ran a steam gin there for three years. In every undertaking with which he was connected he won prosperity and in 1900 he retired from active business life. He is still interested in farming and owns six hundred and eighty acres of well improved land, from the rental of which he receives a substantial income. He is now residing in Ola with Thomas Howell. Mr. Higgins was twice married. His first wife was Miss Isabelle Hallett, a native of Conway county, and her demise occurred in January, 1876. To their union two children were born, both of whom are deceased: One, whose demise occurred in infancy and Anna, who lived to the age of twenty-two years. Mr. Higgins' second marriage was to Miss Mary Pierce, a native of this state, and her death occurred on the 7th of January, 1916. Since age conferred upon Mr. Higgins the right of franchise he was always a stanch supporter of the democratic party, although he neither sought nor desired public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a regular attendant at the church in Oppelo. Mr. Higgins has many friends throughout the county and there is no man more justly entitled to the proud American title of self-made man than he. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/conway/bios/higgins127bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb