Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Higinbotham, Henry D 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 8:24 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

HENRY D. HIGINBOTHAM. The Higinbotham family originated in England, whence 
some of the name removed to the Barbadoes during an early period of American 
settlement.  

Later generations were actively identified with the progress of New England, 
where they prospered in the pursuit of such occupations as were then in 
vogue.  Charles Higinbotham, who was the son of a captain of a whaling vessel, 
was born in Rhode Island November 14, 1779, and in youth accompanied his 
parents to Otsego, N. Y., where he married Miss Gertrude Dumont, of Westford, 
the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier.  Some time after his marriage he 
removed to Allegan County, Mich.  He died August 18, 1844.  His wife survived 
him for fourteen years, dying July 17, 1858, when seventy-eight years of age. 

The second of the four sons of Charles Higinbotham, Henry D., was born in 
Worcester, Otsego County, N. Y., January 10, 1806.  He was reared to manhood 
upon a farm and early acquired a thorough knowledge of agriculture, at the 
same time learned the trade of a blacksmith.  In 1831 he married Miss Rebecca 
Wheeler, of Westford, N. Y., but a native of Canaan, Columbia County, that 
state.  Soon after their marriage they settled in Oneida, N. Y., where Mr. 
Higinbotham opened a blacksmith's shop and worked energetically at his trade. 
However, he did not feel satisfied to remain in the east, where opportunities 
were few in comparison with those offered by the rich but unpopulated west.  
Long before Horace Greeley had uttered his immortal words: "Go west, young 
man," he had determined to follow that "star of empire" which "westward takes 
it way."

While Will County was still a part of Cook, Mr. Higinbotham settled on Hickory 
Creek, east of what is now Joliet.  It was in June, 1834, that he arrived in 
the region with whose upward growth he was to be so intimately identified.  
His first step was to secure land.  He entered one hundred and sixty acres two 
and one-half miles east of Joliet.  With his wife he established a little home 
in the midst of frontier surroundings. There, working with stout hearts and 
steady industry, they made their home for many years.  It was his task to 
clear the land, cultivate the fields, build necessary buildings and make 
desired improvements.  With the flight of the changing years he added to his 
property and its value constantly increased.  Soon he came to be recognized as 
one of the foremost farmers in the county. His knowledge of agriculture was 
thorough and broad, covering every branch of the occupation.  He thoroughly 
demonstrated the superiority of diversified farming, and through his varied 
interests gained what was in those days a large fortune.  The three hundred 
and twenty acres of land he owned were mostly under cultivation.  

Besides the management of his landed interests he owned a grist-mill, which 
for years he conducted successfully.  While he did not live to be an old man, 
yet, after sharing in the toils and privations of pioneer existence, he was 
spared to witness and enjoy the comforts rendered possible by the energy of 
the early settlers. His earnest labor brought its own reward. Nor was his 
success only in a financial sense; for, in a larger degree, he was successful 
in winning and retaining the respect of his acquaintances, the esteem of his 
associates.  He was regarded, not only as a modern farmer, whose example could 
be emulated with profit, but also as an upright man and a good citizen, whose 
character was "sans peur et sans reproache."  Those who knew him say that he 
was a man of quiet, unostentatious disposition, and one whose words were few, 
but every word was weighed before uttered; no statement was ever made 
thoughtlessly or carelessly.  In physique he was strong and stalwart, 
possessing the muscles of an athlete, with a soldier's powers of endurance.  
He was a Knight Templar Mason, who lived up to the lofty teachings of that 
illustrious order.  In religion he was of the Universalist faith.

In 1854 he sold his farm and mill and moved to Joliet, establishing his home 
at No. 1009 Cass street, which is still known in the city as the Higinbotham 
homestead.  

On moving here he became a director in the Will County Bank, and was afterward 
interested in that institution as long as he lived.  The last eleven years of 
his life were not the least active or fruitful of his busy career.  He aided 
in advancing the interests of the city, where he exerted a wholesome and 
salutary influence upon the people.  He witnessed the growth of the county 
from a poor and sparsely settled community to one of the foremost in the 
state.  He was known for his sound and careful judgment as a business man; for 
his enterprise that made him willing to identify himself with any movement for 
the good of the people.  After eleven years in Joliet he passed away at his 
home in this city, March 13, 1865.

The marriage of Mr. Higinbotham united him with a daughter of Samuel B. 
Wheeler, a native of New England, and a sister of Mansfield Wheeler, who 
settled in Will County in 1832. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Higinbotham 
comprised the following sons and daughters: Harlow Niles Higinbotham, member 
of the firm of Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago; Albert, who served in Scott's 
Chicago regiment during the entire Civil war and died in Joliet; Ambrosia, 
wife of Merritt O. Cagwin, and the present occupant of the Higinbotham 
homestead; Mrs. Ann Eliza Demmond, of Joliet; Mrs. Gertrude Leddy, and Mrs. 
Ellen Darwin, both of whom died in this city; and Charles, who is connected 
with the Elgin postoffice.


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

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/higinbot923gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 6.4 Kb