Osceola County MI Archives Biographies.....Higbe, William A. January 20, 1854 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez jicortez@gmail.com April 22, 2005, 10:16 pm

Author: 1884 P&B, Chapman Bros.

William A. Higbe, of the real-estate firm of J.M. Reed & Co., resident 

at Reed City, was born Jan. 20, 1854, in Newark Valley, N.Y.  Charles 

Higbe, his father, is a prominent farmer of Newark Valley; he was born 

in the State of New York, in August, 1816.  William's mother, Caroline 

(Lincoln) Higbe, was born in November 1820.

At the age of 18 years Mr. Higbe entered the Wyoming Seminary at 

Kingston, Pa., and after two years of study was graduated in the 

business department.  He engaged as a clerk in Newark, and operated in 

that capacity until 1876.  In 1856 his father made a hunting tour 

through Northern Michigan, and, judging favorably of the outlook, he 

formed the association since known to business circles as "J.M. Reed & 

Co.," with J.M. Reed (after whom the city is named), Ozias J. Slosson, 

F.H. Todd and himself as members.  They made claims including about 

4,000 acres of land, most of which seemed and proved favorable for 

agriculture.  Mr. Todd is deceased, and his interest lapsed to his 

associates.  Mr. Slosson is also deceased, and his sons - Willis M. 

and Arthur - inherit his claim.  Mr. Higbe represents his father, and 

is a heavy owner in his own behalf.  The firm platted a considerable 

amount of the territory they held, including the main portion of the 

town and J.M. Reed & Co.'s First Addition.  They still hold a large 

amount of farming land and village rpoperty on sale. 

In 1882 Mr. Higbe built Higbe's Opera House Block at Reed City, a 

brick structure 55 x 80 feet in extent, with two business apartments 

on the ground and Opera House above.  Mr. Higbe is associated with 

T.W. Adams, of Big Rapids, in the management of the "Northern Michigan 

Theatrical Circuit," including the towns of Big Rapids, Stanton, Reed 

City, Cadillac and Manistee, and they could control the places of 

amusement in those towns.  Mr. Higbe owns his residence and 

considerable other village property.  In company with L.B. Avery, he 

built the skating rink at Reed City, a building 52 x 120 feet in 

dimensions, with a solid maple floor in excellent condition.

He was married July 11, 1876, in Newark Valley, to Emma, a daughter of 

John Butler.  She was born in Tioga Co., N.Y., Nov. 22, 1857.  One 

child - Eugenia - was born April 1, 1877, to Mr. and Mrs. Higbe.

Additional Comments:
FROM THE PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF OSCEOLA COUNTY, 1884, BY 

CHAPMAN BROTHERS, CHICAGO, IL.

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