Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Higgins, Daniel F 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 12:07 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

DANIEL F. HIGGINS is well known, both through his successful practice as an 
attorney, and through his active, efficient service as vice-president of the 
board of school directors of Joliet. For the past twenty years he has been 
intimately associated with educational work; probably his most helpful service 
as a citizen has been in connection with the city schools. Since 1896 he has 
held office as the board's vice president. He is a member of the township high 
school board, and is entitled to the credit of originating the plan and 
assisting to carry forward to a successful completion the building of the 
township high school. The decision to erect this building was made in 
December, 1899. Since then the work has been carried rapidly and 
systematically toward completion. The building stands on the corner of 
Jefferson and Eastern avenues and is, without exception, the finest township 
high school building in the entire state; a result the credit of which should 
be given the men whose names are indissolubly associated with the enterprise. 
The Higgins family was established in New England in an early day. Samuel, the 
earliest member of whom any definite knowledge is had, served in the 
Revolutionary war. Prior to 1781 he resided in Killingworth, Conn., but in 
that year moved to Castleton, Vt. He was twice married, aud by his second 
wife, Temperance Kilsey, had eight children. The second of these children was 
Dan, who was born in Castleton, Vt., August 27, 1784. By occupation he was a 
farmer. In 1806 he married Hannah LeBarron, by whom he had eleven children, 
Chauncey, the fourth, having been born in Rutland County, Vt. He was reared on 
the home farm, and during the summer assisted in its cultivation, while in the 
winter he attended school. However, his education, which was good, was 
acquired mostly by his own efforts. When about of age he took up agricultural 
work in Vermont. In 1835 he came via the lakes to Chicago, thence by the old 
trail to Dupage Township, this county, where he took up one hundred and sixty 
acres of government land. He raised produce which he shipped to Chicago, and 
he also raised stock. At the time of the anti-slavery agitation he was 
pronounced in his Abolition views. He aided the work of the underground 
railroad. Though active in local affairs, he would never accept office. He was 
instrumental in moulding the principles of the Republican party in his 
neighborhood. For many years he was a leader in politics. Personally he was a 
man of indomitable will and energy, and one of the best business men in his 
township. He helped to build the first church in Naperville, and for years was 
a deacon in the Baptist Church near his home. October 23, 1844, in Dupage 
Township, he married Emily Root, who was born in Benson, Vt., March 18, 1812. 
They became the parents of five children, namely: Emily Frances and James 
Chauncey, both deceased; Daniel F.; Olney F., who is managing the old 
homestead; and Charles Sumner, deceased. The father died in February, 1892. 
The subject of this article was educated in public schools and in Northwestern 
College, which was then in Plainfield. When fifteen years old he enlisted in 
Company C, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and went with his regiment to East 
Tennessee. On the 1st of July, 1865, he was transferred to the Fifty-first 
Illinois Veterans' Corps, which served in Texas until October, 1865. He was 
then honorably discharged from the army. Returning home he was for two years 
principal of the school at Downer's Grove. In 1874 he began to read law with 
Judge Cody, one of the leading attorneys of northeastern Illinois. He was 
admitted to the bar in Joliet in 1877, and has since engaged in practice here. 
About the time of his election as county attorney (1884) he formed a law 
partnership with E. C. Akin, now attorney-general, and they were together 
until the latter's removal to Springfield in 1896. Since then Mr. Higginshas 
been associated with Fred W. Walter. He is a strong Republican, and has been 
chairman of the county central committee, and a member of the city council. He 
is a great admirer of William McKinley, and an active campaigner, and has been 
offered several appointments, which he has declined on account of his private 
work as a lawyer. His influence has been given to movements of a worthy 
character, and he has been one of the most progressive citizens Joliet has 
ever had. His entire life has been passed in this county. He was born in 
Dupage Township and grew to manhood in the midst of the changing scenes of 
farm life here, witnessing the development of farms and the growth of towns. 
In Joliet he has done a considerable amount of building, mostly residences. He 
was united in marriage May 4, 1881, with Mary Brown, of Jackson, Will County. 
They are the parents of six sons and two daughters, namely: D. Frank, Jr.; 
Charles Chauncey, Helen J., Marshall F., Max Brown, Mary Marguerite, Ara Brown 
and Alfred N.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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