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Descendants of James Jesse Higgins (174)



Generation One


1. James Jesse1 Higgins (174);1 From many sources we are in agreement that our great grandfather, James Jesse Higgins, was born in Jamestown, Indiana. He was listed as born on June 23, 1853, both in his obituary and on his gravestone. Depending on which piece of information you go by, his birth year is either 1851 or 1853.
     James Jesse Higgins (174) married Mary Alice Marshall (175) on 14 Oct 1875 at Poplar Bluff, Butler, Missouri; One of my sources is my cousin, Judy Guiles. Judy's father, Claude, always stated that Mary Alice and J J were married around 1877, and that he found her in Poplar Bluff, Mo, where they married. To find another theory on their marriage, see the "Alternate Marriage" information listed below.2,3 ;
     Alternate Marriage Theory: The official story is that Mary Alice Marshall and James Jesse Higgins were married c 1877 in southern Missouri. I believe they were either married or were considered "common" law married. If our reference information is true, it appears that sometime between 1880 and 1882, James Jesse Gibson possibly became involved with Mary "L" Hess nee Marshall. James "J" Gibson is listed as a head of household in 1880, Worth co, Mo. Paulus and Mary Hess are listed as "farmer" and "taking care of home" in that same census. Paulus Hess and Mary "L" Marshall were married in October, 1876.4 He died on 30 Jul 1935 at St. Joseph, Missouri, at age 82; This is from the obituary in the Green City Press-dated 8-8-1935. States that James Jesse Higgins was born in Jamestown, Indiana. Married Mary Alice Marshall on Oct 10, 1878. Was survived by daughter Mrs. Lula Shelton-Beacon Iowa, Son-Bert, Roberts Iowa. etc. see story-about James Jesse Higgins.5
;

From the Census Data listed below, several things stand out to me
     First of all, when we look at John S Gibson's 1860 Harrison co, Mo census we would expect to see James J Higgins, b 1853, not James G Gibson, b 1851. That is the first discrepancy that appears. We also cannot find a James J Higgins in the 1870 or 1880 census. We can find a James J Gibson in the 1880 Worth Co., Missouri census. However, the birth year seems to be incorrect. This individual is listed as several years too young to be James J Higgins or James G Gibson. Even though he appears too young, I do believe that this is probably the same person. The 40 acres that James J Gibson owns is right next door to some property owned by Mary (Johnson) Gibson, who would be his grandmother. From Worth county tax records, it appears that James J Gibson bought the propery around 1872. He is found on the 1876 plat map as owner to this propery. The property is not too far away from the Koger cemetery, which is found on the Worth Co/Harrison Co, Missouri border. Apparently, according to those same tax records, James J Gibson abandoned his farm sometime in the months before his taxes were due in December, 1881.



James Jesse Gibson Higgins (174) appears as James G Gibson, age 9 in the census of on 6 Jan 1860 at Washington Township, Post Office-Jay, Harrison, Missouri, in the the household of John S (Higgins) Gibson (187).6 ;

      1870 US Census Record: As of this publishing, James Jesse Higgins or James J Gibson has not found on any 1870 census record. ;

     From the "Record of Sales of Land 1862-1875", I found a listing of the land sale of Section 35, Township 65, to J J Gibson by ?A Gibson. The name of the sellar was not as clear. It appeared to be _?A Gibson. I'm not sure who that is.7 ;



     Missing 1880 U S Census Record of J J Higgins: Even though family history suggests that J J Higgens was living in Lineville, Missouri during the 1880 time period, James Jesse Higgins has not been found on any 1880 census record, either Mercer Co, Missouri or Wayne Co., Iowa.

James J Gibson -age 24, appears as head of household in the census of 12 Jun 1880 in at Allen Township, Worth, Missouri, with Paulus and Mary Hess;
1880 Harrison Co., Mo Census
James J Gibson was enumerated as Dwelling #141, Allen Township, Mercer, Co, Missouri
Listed as "farmer", age 24-born Indiana. Mother and father born in Indiana
Paulus Hess, age 26-Farmer also in household-born Penn, mother and father born Penn
Mary Hess, age 19-wife (Keeps House) born Iowa, mother and father born Iowa.8

James Jesse Higgins (174), age 46, appears as head of household in the census of 15 Jun 1900 in at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, with Frank Leroy Higgins (184), John G Higgins (1351), Mary Alice Marshall (175), Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178), Lulu Higgins (176), William Jesse Higgins (150), Ira B Higgins (179), James Everette Higgins (182), Earnest Slyvester Higgins (183), and Arthur L Higgins (181);
1900 Mercer Co, Missouri Census
Listed in this household was:
James J Higgens, age 46
MaryA wife age 38 Missouri
Lulu daughter- age 20 born April1878 Iowa
Burthold son- age 15 born April 1882 Iowa
Ira son- age 13 born Aug 1883 Missouri
John G son- age 11 born Oct 1885 Missouri
Arthur son- age 9 born May 1891
Earnest S son- age 7 born Mar 1893
James E son- age 5 born April 1895
Frank L son- age 3 born April 1897
William J son- age 1 born March 1899
JJ lists' his father and mother as born in Indiana. Lists Mary Alice's parents as both born in Missouri.9

James Jesse Higgins (174) age 58, appears as head of household in the census of 11 May 1910 in at Buchanan Township, Sullivan, Missouri, with Mary Alice Marshall (175), William Jesse Higgins (150), James Everette Higgins (182), Earnest Slyvester Higgins (183), Frank Leroy Higgins (184), Harley Claude Higgins (186), and Thomas Vernon Higgins (185);

1910 Sullivan Co., MO Census
In this household were:
J J Higgens Household(lists his parents as both born in US)
Mary A , age 46 b. Iowa(both parents as born in US)
Ernest S, age 17, b. Mo
Everette J, age 15 b. Mo
Frank L, age 13 b. Mo
William J, age 11 b. Mo
Thomas V, age 9 b. Mo
Harley C, age 6 b. Mo
**states that they have been married 33 yrs-giving a rough date of marriage yr-1877.10 ;

      US Census-1920
James Jesse was not living with the family by 1920. We are not sure where he was living, but he occasionally would show up-according to family lore. He eventually lost contact with the family altogether, until he died. They were sent a wire of his death and a couple of Grandpa's brothers went to pick up his body in St. Joseph. According to June Allen, a wake and funeral was held in Grandma Mary Alice's home for him. She remembers the funeral.

1930 Buchanan County Census:James Jesse Higgins (174) -age 80, appears as an inmate of the "Buchanan county Home for Paupers" in a census dated April 26, 1930. Using an age of 80, would make his birth year around 1850. He lists himself as a "widower", and states that he was born in Indiana. He lists both his parents as born in Kentucky.NOTE: at various times both John S Gibson and Mary Jane Smith were listed as born in Kentucky-see the 1850 census(Boone Co., Indiana).

11 As of 15 Aug 2007, he was also known as James Jesse Gibson Higgins (174).12

Reference: Have added evidence linking J J Gibson to J J Higgens. See the following:1) John S and Mary Jane(Smith) Gibson's marriage record-February 14, 18502) Hendricks Co., Indiana and Boone Co., Indiana 1850 census records3) Harrison Co., Missouri 1860 census records4) Worth Co., Missouri 1880 census records5) Paulus and Mary (Marshall) Hess' marriage record-October, 18766) Martha M (Gibson) Smith's obituary and death certificate.13,14

Individual Narrative:; My grandmother, Reta (Moots) Higgins was a great informant for information dealing with her in-laws. When my grandparents first were married, they lived for a time, with great Grandma Mary Alice. When my father was just a baby a fire destroyed my grandfather's restaurant. My grandmother and father just barely escaped, the only possession saved was the quilt my Dad was wrapped in.
     Since the home and restaurant were destroyed, Dad's family moved in with Grandma Mary Alice. During this time period I believe my grandmother received alot of information from Mary Alice. I believe most of the family history was gleaned by this source, Mary Alice to Grandma Reta. I'm not sure how much was told to the younger siblings, ie Grandpa Bill and his brothers-they didn't seem to know a whole lot.
     In the 60's, my grandparents, along with my Aunt Donna Jean, made a great pilgrimage out west, to visit the Western Uncles. The last time many of them would see other. During the trip, one of my cousins inquired of my Grandma Reta, "why do we know so little information?" Grandma replied, "When stories are bad, they aren't often told!" I believe that sums up our delima with this family! Whatever information, real or fabricated,that Grandma Mary Alice told to her children, I believe there is enough there to find out the truth-we just have to "ferret" it out of the reference material we find.
Children of James Jesse1 Higgins (174) and Mary Alice Marshall (175) were as follows:
There were no children of James Jesse1 Higgins (174) and the unknown spouse mentioned above.

Generation Two


2. Lulu2 Higgins (176) (James1) was born on 12 Apr 1877 at Lineville, Iowa; Updated 1/14/99 by letter from Shirley Stock.45,46 She married Thomas Henry Shelton (177), son of John William Riley Shelton (3375) and Margaret Ann Price (3376), on 25 Sep 1908 at Green City, Sullivan, Missouri.47 She died on 29 Sep 1948 at Oskaloosa, Mahaska, Iowa, at age 71; Buried at Becon Iowa, Coal Creek cemetery.


Lulu Higgins (176) appears age 20, in the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the the household of James Jesse Higgins (174) as his daughter.48

Lulu Higgins (176) appears as Lulu, age 31, in the census of 11 May 1910 at Buchanan Township, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Thomas Henry Shelton (177):listed as his wife.49

Lulu Higgins (176) appears as Lulu, age 41, in the census of 14 Jun 1920 at West Penn Township, Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Thomas Henry Shelton (177), listed as his wife.50

Lulu Higgins (176) appears as Lulu, age 52, in the census of Jun 1930 at Garfield Township, Oskaloosa, Mahaska, Iowa, in the household of Thomas Henry Shelton (177):listed as his wife.51

Individual Narrative:; Was in Beacon Iowa in 1935.-Grandpa James's obituary.
Children of Lulu2 Higgins (176) and Thomas Henry Shelton (177) all born at Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, were as follows:

3. Berthold 'Bert'2 Higgins (178) (James1); Changed name to Berthold per Uncle Bert's descendants. 7/24/0067 was born on 25 Apr 1882 at Lineville, Iowa/Missouri.68 He married Eva Peck (1338), daughter of Issac Morris (3899) and Ada Peck (3900), on 28 Feb 1906 at Taylor, Iowa, USA; From Page and Taylor Counties, Iowa.69 He died on 26 May 1970 at age 88.


Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178) appears as Burthold, age 15 in the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174)-listed as his son.70

Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178), age 27, appears as head of household in the census of 13 May 1910 in at Taylor Precinct, Bingham, Idaho, with Eva Peck (1338), Ray M Higgins (1339), Arthur L Higgins (181), and Kenneth Elbert Higgins Sr. (1341);
1910 Bingham, Idaho Census
In this household was:
Bert age 27, born Iowa [Lists his mother's birthplace as Missouri, father's as Indiana.]
Eva age 23, born Iowa, Wife
"Rhea" age 3, born Iowa, Son
Kenneth age 2/12, born in Idaho, son
Arthur age 20, born in Iowa.-Listed as his brother.71

World War I Registration Card
Data from Registration Card: on 12 Sep 1918
Name: Bert Higgins
Date of Birth: April 25, 1882
Physical Description: Medium build, Brown Hair, blue eyes. Home is Roberts, Idaho. He is listed as farmer, self employed. Next of kin is Eva L Higgins, wife. No reason for deferrment. He signed his card as "Bert" Higgins.
72

Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178): Appears as "Burt Higgens", age 37, as head of household in the census of 1 Feb 1920 in at Roberts Precinct, Jefferson, Idaho, with Eva Peck (1338), Ray M Higgins (1339), Kenneth Elbert Higgins Sr. (1341), Dorthy L Higgins (1342), Addie K Higgins (1343), James Everette Higgins (182), and Thomas Vernon Higgins (185);
1920 Jefferson Co., Idaho census
In this household was:
Burt Higgens, age 37, farmer. born Iowa [Father-Indiana, Mother-Iowa]
Eva, age 33, wife born Iowa
Ray M, age 13, born Iowa
Kenneth E, age 10, born Idaho
Dorothy L, age 7, born Idaho
Addie K, age 1.6, born Idaho
James E, age 24, brother-born Missouri
Vernon T, age 18, born Missouri-brother.73

Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178), age 47, appears as head of household in the census of Jun 1930 in at Roberts Precinct, Jefferson, Idaho, with Eva Peck (1338), Kenneth Elbert Higgins Sr. (1341), Dorthy L Higgins (1342), and Howard Bert Higgins (1344);
1930 Jefferson Co., Idaho Census
In this household was:
Bert, age 47, born Iowa [Father-Indiana, Mother-Indiana]
Eva L, age 42 wife
Kenneth, age 20 b Idaho
Dorothy,age 17 b Idaho
Howard Bert, age 5 b Idaho.74
Children of Berthold 'Bert'2 Higgins (178) and Eva Peck (1338) were as follows:

5. Ira B2 Higgins (179) (James1)99 was born on 11 Aug 1886 at Lineville, Princeton, Missouri.100 He married Eula Roba (1345), daughter of George Roba (3490) and Mary Soyka (3491), on 11 Jun 1917 at Prineville, Oregon.101 He died on 19 Sep 1970 at Bend Nursing Home, Prineville, Oregon, at age 84.102


Ira B Higgins (179) appears as Ira, age 13 in the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174)-listed as his son.103

To date have not found 1910 census record.



World War I Registration Card
Data from Registration Card: on 5 Jun 1917
Name: Ira B Higgens
Date of Birth: 8-11-1887 in Lineville, Iowa(USA)
Physical Description: Medium Build, Blue eyes, Medium Brown Hair. His is listed as "disabled", with a "crippled" leg. He is also listed as a farm Laborer, single working for an H H Daniels, near Paulina, Oregon.
104

Ira B Higgins (179), age 34, appears as head of household in the census of 9 Jan 1920 in at Beaver Precinct, Crook, Idaho, with Eula Roba (1345) and Joseph Robert Higgins (1346);
1920 Crook Co., Oregon Census
Name: "Iva" B Higgens age 34, born In Iowa [Married, Father-Kentucky, Mother-Tennesse Home-Rented, can read and write]
Eula,wife age 23, born Oregon
Robert, son age 1.2, born Oregon.105

Ira B Higgins (179), age 44, appears as head of household in the census of 9 Apr 1930 in at Beaver Creek Precinct, Crook, Oregon, with Eula Roba (1345), Joseph Robert Higgins (1346), James Darrell Higgins (1347), Lawerence Ira Higgins (1349), and Irene Eula Higgins (1350);
1930 Crook Co., Idaho Census
In this household was:
Ira B, age 44, born Iowa [Father-Tennesse, Mother-Indiana]
Eula S, wife, age 39 born Oregon
Robert V, son age 12 born Oregon
Darrell V, son age 10 born Oregon
Lawerence, son age 6, born Oregon
Irene, daughter age 5, born Oregon.106
Children of Ira B2 Higgins (179) and Eula Roba (1345) were as follows:

6. John G2 Higgins (1351) (James1); Pat Higgins has listed a set of twin boys that were born 10-27-1915 and died the same day. They are not listed on my other records was born on 28 Oct 1888.124 He married Cora Lunsford (1352), daughter of Hiram Lunsford (3556) and Melissa Jane Dixon (3557), in Sep 1909. He died on 5 Nov 1985 at age 97.


John G Higgins (1351) appears John G, age 11in the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174) -listed as his son.125

John G Higgins (1351) appears as John G, age 22, in the census of 12 May 1910 at Buchanan Township, Pennville, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Hiram Lunsford (3556) :listed as his son in law.126

World War I Registration Card
Data from Registration Card: on 5 Jun 1917
Name: John Glendenning Higgins, born in Lineville, Iowa-Natural Born Citizen.
Date of Birth: Oct 28, 1898
Physical Description: Medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. He is listed as a "farmer", from Pennville, MO-self employed. His next of kin is his wife, and 2 children. He is listed as "caucasion" and married. No reason for deferrment. Card was filled out in Green City.
127

John G Higgins (1351), age 32, appears as head of household in the census of 15 Jan 1920 in at Buchanan Township, Sullivan, Missouri, with Cora Lunsford (1352), Oris Daine Higgins (1353), Basil Raymond Higgins (1354), and Forrest D Higgins (1355);
1920 Sullivan Co., MO census
In this household was:
John G, age 32 born Missouri [Father-Indiana, Mother-Ohio]
Cora D, age 27, born Missouri-wife
Orris D, age 8, born Missouri
Bacil R, age 6 born Missouri
Forrest D, age 6/12 born Missouri.128

John G Higgins (1351), age 41, appears as head of household in the census of 14 Apr 1930 in at Stonington Precinct, Baca, Colorado, with Cora Lunsford (1352), Oris Daine Higgins (1353), Basil Raymond Higgins (1354), Forrest D Higgins (1355), Roland Eugene Higgins (1356), and Daymond Hubert Higgins (1357);
1930 Baca Co., Colorado Census
In this household was:
John Higgins, age 41, born Missouri [Father-Indiana, Mother-Ohio]
"Cara" D, wife age 37
Oris D, age 18-son born Missouri
Basil R, age 16-son born Mo
Forrest D, age 12, born mo
Roland M, age 8, born Mo
Daymond, age 5, born Colorado
Naomi A, age 3.5, born Colorado.129
Children of John G2 Higgins (1351) and Cora Lunsford (1352) were as follows:

7. Arthur L2 Higgins (181) (James1) was born on 19 May 1891 at Lineville, Wayne, Iowa; Found Arthur in the World War I registration.(12/14/03). He was listed as Albert and his birth date was listed as 2 yrs older than it should have been. 1889 instead of 1891. Found him again in the 1920 Montana census and his birthdate is now correct. He is listed as 'AL'. I think he was using his initials Arthur L. So need to look for listings for 'AL'. He lists his birthplace as Iowa.165,166 He married Mabel Wallen (1323) circa 1912 at Montana; Estimated date and place of marriage from census records.167 He died circa 1955.


Arthur L Higgins (181) appears as Arthur, age 9, in the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174) :listed as his son.168

1910 Idaho Census Arthur L Higgins (181) appears as Arthur, age 20 in the census of 13 May 1910 at Taylor Precinct, Bingham, Idaho, in the household of Berthold 'Bert' Higgins (178)-Listed as his brother.169

World War I Registration Card
Data from Registration Card: on 5 Jun 1917
Name: Albert Higgins
Date of Birth: May 196,1889
Physical Description: Medium Build, Light blue eyes, Light brown hair;
NOTE: apparently they had his name wrong. In addition, his name is listed as "Albert" on one of his census records? His birth year is wrong on this certificate. Not sure, but he says he should be deferred because he is supporting a family.170

Arthur L Higgins (181), is listed as "AL", age 29, appears as head of household in the census of 18 Feb 1920 in at Cedar township, Battle Creek, Mineral, Montana, with Mabel Wallen (1323), Melvin H Higgins (1324), and Muriel Higgins (1325);
1920 Mineral Co., Montana census
In the household are:
"Al" Higgins age 29, Farmer born Iowa [Mother born in Illinois, Father in Indiana]
Mabel, age 26, born Montana-wife
Melvin H, age 6.5, born Montana-son
Mureal, age 6/12, born Montana-daughter.171

Arthur L Higgins (181),listed as "ALBERT", age 39, appears as head of household in the census of 4 Oct 1930 in at McMillan Precinct, Pierce, Washington, with Mabel Wallen (1323), Melvin H Higgins (1324), and Muriel Higgins (1325);
1930 Pierce Co., census
In this household are:
"ALBERT", age 39, born Iowa [Father born United States, Mother-Missouri]
Mable, age 36, born Montana
Melvin H, age 16, born Montana-son
Muriel, age 10, born Montana-daughter.172
Children of Arthur L2 Higgins (181) and Mabel Wallen (1323) are as follows:

11. William Jesse2 Higgins (150) (James1)179 was born on 13 Mar 1899 at Lineville, Princeton, Missouri.180,181 He married Jenny Oreta Moots (151), daughter of Orville Walter Moots (651) and Rosa Zetta Downen (652), on 26 Dec 1930 at Kirksville Mo, Kirksville, Missouri. He died on 3 Aug 1971 at Grim Smith Hospital, Kirksville, Missouri, at age 72.


William Jesse Higgins (150) appears as William J, age 1n the census of 15 Jun 1900 at Marion Township, Mercer, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174) -listed as his son.182

William Jesse Higgins (150) appears as William J in the census of 11 May 1910 at Buchanan Township, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174) listed as son.183

World War I Registration Card
Data from Registration Card: on 12 Sep 1918
Name: William Jessie Higgins
Date of Birth: born March 20,1898-age 19
Physical Description: Tall, Brown Hair, blue eyes. Listed as a "laborer", self employed. His next of kin is Mara(sic) A Higgins, Green City, (Sullivan)Missouri. NOTE: Grandpa Bill apparently signed his card as "William Jessie Higgens."
184

William Jesse Higgins (150) appears as William J, age 20, in the census of 14 Jun 1920 at West Penn Township, Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Mary Alice Marshall (175) listed as her son.185

William Jesse Higgins (150) appears as William, age 30, in the census of 10 Apr 1930 at West Penn Township, Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Mary Alice Marshall (175), listed as her son.186
Children of William Jesse2 Higgins (150) and Jenny Oreta Moots (151) were as follows:

13. Harley Claude2 Higgins (186) (James1) was born on 23 Aug 1905 at Lineville, Wayne, Iowa.191 He married Irene Quint (1330) on 28 Jul 1938 at Green City, Sullivan.192 He died on 25 Jun 1981 at Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, at age 75.193


Harley Claude Higgins (186) appears as Harley C, age 6 in the census of 11 May 1910 at Buchanan Township, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of James Jesse Higgins (174)-listed as son.194

Harley Claude Higgins (186) appears as Claude L, age 14, in the census of 14 Jun 1920 at West Penn Township, Green City, Sullivan, Missouri, in the household of Mary Alice Marshall (175) -listed as her son.195

To date, have not been able to find a 1930 Census Record on Uncle Claude.


Children of Harley Claude2 Higgins (186) and Irene Quint (1330) were as follows:



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