Biographical Sketch of B. F. Higdon, Crawford Township, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** B. F. Higdon, farmer, section 28, postoffice Wallace, was born in Ohio, September 9, 1827. He received a good education, and followed teaching school for some time, then learned the carpenter trade, after which he engaged in the grocery business, continuing for four years. He then read law, and in due time, was admitted to the bar, and practiced for sixteen years. He married in 1848, Miss Minnie J. Demarree, a native of Indiana, by whom he had three children: Eaber, Lewis F. and Anna E. Of these two survive. His wife died in 1856. In 1857 he was married to Nancy Ashcraft, by whom he had one child, Evan. They separated in 1860. He was divorced from her on account of desertion. He then, in 1862, married Elizabeth Andrews, a native of Missouri. They had one child, Mahala Cox, with whom he has lived happily, and is well satis- fied with his condition in life. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He served on year, during the civil war, in Company I, Twenty fifth Illinois Regiment. He then came home and recruited a company in the Missouri State Militia, under Colonel Denny. He comman- ded this company, serving one year. He had three horses shot under him, but he received no wounds. His wife was born in Todd County, Ken- tucky February 20, 1816. She was raised on a farm. Her education was very limited. She was first married to Guilford Montray, January 5, 1836. He was a native of Kentucky, born November 17, 1814. By this marriage they had seven children: John W., born April 22, 1837; William R., born March 23, 1839 and died May 18, 1867; George M., born December 20, 1840; Louisa E., born October 23, 1842 and died January 14, 1874; Angeline, born August 28, 1844; Meret Y., born September 11, 1846 and died January 20, 1854; Mary B., born November 28, 1848. Her husband died February 21, 1852. She then married Jacob B. Cox, July 11, 1852. From this union were born two children: Jacob A., born March 4, 1853 this being the day Franklin Pierce was inaugurated President of the United States; and Mahala A., born July 15, 1855. She was divorced from Jacob B. Cox on account of poligamy. She then, in 1869, married Hugh Mathews, a native of Iowa. In less than one year she discovered that he had a wife in Iowa and she discarded him. On September 16, 1876, she married B. F. Higdon, with whom she has since continued to live very happily. She has a lifetime dower in fifty six acres of land which is well improved, and in a good state of cultivation and provided with a good house and barn. She is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Penny Harrell ====================================================================