Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Biggins, James 1822 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:36 pm

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JAMES BIGGINS. Among those who within the past decade have joined the "sheeted 
nations of the dead" leaving behind them a memory that will endure, is the 
gentleman whose cognomen heads this sketch. He was born in County Monaghan, 
Ireland, May 11, 1822, and died in DuPage Township, Will County, Ill., June 
15, 1884. His life had been marked by no great events or striking 
experiences,but his days had been spent in such industrious labors and quiet 
pursuance of duty as to secure the esteem of all who knew him and cause his 
demise to be regretted by a large circle. Mr. Biggins was reared to the age of 
eighteen years in the land of his birth, receiving a fair education and 
acquiring some knowledge of the art of tilling the soil to which he devoted 
his life. So successful were his labors that he left a valuable estate upon 
which his widow now lives. His only capital was his strong hands and natural 
abilities, by a zealous use of which he won success, he was a Democrat, 
although he did not confine his vote to the party candidates but gave it to 
the man whom he though best qualified to fill official station. He was a 
member of the Roman Catholic Church at Lockport. For nearly half a century 
prior to his death Mr. Biggins had resided in Will County, to which he came 
direct from the East on emigrating from the Land of the Shamrock. When called 
hence he was not only missed by his immediate family, but by his neighbors and 
many acquaintances throughout the county where he was known as a public-
spirited ard reliable citizen. To his family he was a good provider, to his 
companion a kind and loving husband and to his children an affectionate and 
indulgent father. The marriage of Mr. Biggins and Miss Catherine Prior was 
celebrated February 9, 1861. Mrs. Biggins was born in Ireland and is a 
communicant of the Roman Catholic Church; she is active, capable and kindly, 
holding a due measure of regard from neighbors and acquaintances. She owns two 
hundred and forty acres of land under good cultivation and the most of it well 
improved. Of the six children whom she bore her husband, four are now living. 
These are Eugene, James, Edward and William; the deceased are George and Mary. 
The sons belong to the church to which their parents consecrated them in 
infancy. James Biggins was accompanied to America by his brother Owen, who 
also settled in DuPage Township, his farm adjoining that of James. He was an 
industrious, honest and law-abiding citizen. He departed this life April 19, 
1885. It is safe to say that at no period in the history of the Emerald Isle 
have more diligent, law- abiding and God-fearing men emigrated from her shores 
than the brothers James and Owen Biggins. For years to come their memory will 
be green in the hearts of those who knew and revered them, as is the isle that 
gave them birth, and their worthy lives may well be emulated by future 
generations.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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