John W. Higgins
A productive farm of one-hundred and twenty acres in Willow township yields gratifying returns for the labor of John W. Higgins.
He was born on the place where he now lives, January 5, 1884, a son of John and Mary (Gaynor) Higgins. The father was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age of eighteen. He spent nine years in Chicago and then, having decided to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits, located in Crawford county, Iowa. upon a tract of eighty acres on section 26, Willow township. He improved his farm and then disposed of it, purchasing one hundred and sixty 'acres on section 18, where he lived for twenty-eight years. He cultivated the soil, planted trees and made the farm one of the most attractive properties in the locality. In 1908 he removed to Ute, Iowa, where he now lives retired. The mother of our subject also was born in Ireland and was married to Mr. Higgins at Chicago. She now enjoys with him the fruits of many years of labor. There were seven children in the family, six of whom are now living, namely: Mary, who is at home; Margaret, the wife of Dan Hartigan, who lives near Ute; Johannah, who married Patrick Devin and is now living on part of the home farm; Anna and Lizzie, both of whom are at home; and John W., of this review.
Educated in the district schools of Willow township John W. Higgins early displayed a power of application to his studies which gave good evidence of his mental ability and his desire to make the most of opportunities in life. He continued at home until twenty years of age and then went to Chicago, where he became connected with the wholesale department of Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company. However, he yielded to an irresistible desire to return to agricultural pursuits and accordingly came to Crawford county and began farming on his own account on sections 27 and 28, Willow township. After two years he went to Stanley county, South Dakota, and settled upon a homestead but did not prove up on it, lacking from October until the following March. Returning to Crawford county, where conditions are much more favorable than he found them in South Dakota, he farmed the Shipley place for one year and then removed to his father's farm, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he has cultivated with marked success.
On the 12th of February, 1907, Mr. Higgins was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Ball, a native of Monona county, Iowa, and they have two children, Daniel and Laverne. Although Mr. Higgins is only twenty-seven years of age he has made an excellent start in business and ranks as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of his township. His success is due mainly to his interest in his work and an honorable ambition to accomplish what he undertakes regardless of the time or labor involved.
His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, in whose principles he is a firm believer. He is a strong advocate of education and has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the camp of Modern Woodinen of America at Ute, and he and his estimable wife are membrs of the Catholic church in whose faith they were reared.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.