John William Higgs^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}

1859 - 1918  (58 years)

• Name	John William Higgs
  Nickname	Will
  Born	7 Apr 1859	Magnolia, Columbia Co., Arkansas
  Gender	Male
  Census	12 Sep 1860	Iuka, Tishomingo Co., Mississippi   [6]
  Census	6 Jul 1870	Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas   [7]
  Census	11 Jun 1880	Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas   [8]
  Occupation	11 Jun 1880	Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas   [8]
  	printer
  Residence	22 Oct 1888	Texarkana, Bowie Co., Texas   [9]
  	Lida talks about visiting with Will Higgs locally.
  Residence	8 Feb 1889	Texarkana, Miller Co., Arkansas   [10]
  	visited Arkadelpha
  	"J.W. Higgs, a very nice looking gentleman from Texarkana, was in the city yesterday and paid us a pleasant visit." Interesting note two columns over - "Work on the Ouachita College is still pushing along." (J.H. Cason was a fundraiser for the college at its inception.)
  Occupation	4 Aug 1890	Alma, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [11]
  	started a Democrats Club
  	ALMA - August 3 - The Democrats of this place organized a club yesterday with a membership of 180, with J.E. London, President; J.W. Higgs and W.R. Bolling, Vice-Presidents; ... The name of the club is Lewars Democratic Club, in honor of our nominee for Circuit Clerk, Hon. H.S. Lewars, who is a citizen of Alma. The Democracy of Crawford County were never in better shape to make a campaign, and will win at the September election by a handsome majority.
  Occupation	16 Apr 1900	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [12]
  	took over management of the Fort Smith Times
  	"Van Buren, Ark - April 16 - A change has been made in the management of the Venture at this place. J.W. Higgs, who has been with the paper since its inception, has taken charge of the Fort Smith Times. Rowe Hays, a young attorney recently from Mississippi, will assume control of the paper"
  Census	25 Jun 1900	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [13]
  Occupation	25 Jun 1900	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [13]
  	newspaper editor
  Occupation	24 Jul 1901	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [14]
  	moved from Van Buren Venture to Searcy Beacon
  	J.W. Higgs, formerly of the Van Buren Venture, has bought the Searcy Beacon. Higgs is a good fellow and not afraid to stick up for what he believes to be right. Therefore the World wishes him well.
  Occupation	25 Oct 1901	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [15]
  	established the Alma Echo
  	J.W. Higgs, formerly editor of the Van Buren Venture, has established the Alma Effort, a five-column folio. He published a paper at the same place nine years ago.
  Occupation	11 Dec 1901	Alma, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [16]
  	candidate for circuit clerk
  	J.W. Higgs, editor and publisher of the Alma Effort, has announced as a candidate for circuit clerk of Crawford County.
  Occupation	3 Apr 1903	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [17]
  	took over the Van Buren Weekly Venture
  Occupation	14 Jul 1903	Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas   [18]
  	left the Van Buren Republican Venture
  	The Independent Post, nee "Republican Venture" has again made a change, J.W. Higgs having retired from the management and G.O. Yoes having again taken the editorial chair.
  Occupation	31 Jul 1903	DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas   [19]
  	took over DeQueen Democrat
  	The reporter this morning received a copy of the DeQueen Democrat, J.W. Higgs, editor, publisher, and proprietor. Mr. Higgs is well known in newspaper circles here, he having published several papers in this county. It is the wish of his friends that his new "venture" may prove successful.
  Occupation	May 1910	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [20]
  	began to work at the McCurtain Democrat Record
  	According to his obituary, Will Higgs had been working with the Democrat Record since its founding in May 1910.
  Census	5 May 1910	DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas   [21]
  Occupation	5 May 1910	DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas   [21]
  	printer in a weekly newspaper
  Misc	29 Dec 1910  [22]
  Occupation	12 Feb 1914	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [23]
  	agent for Strauss Brothers Tailors of Chicago.
  	Will Higgs also acted as an agent for a company selling men's suits for several years.
  Occupation	30 Apr 1914	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [24]
  	agent for Merchant's Life insurance
  	Will Higgs appears to have sold life insurance in addition to working for the newspaper. Advertisements appear throughout the years 1913-1918 for his as an agent for Merchant's Life life insurance.
  Misc	29 Jul 1915	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [25]
  	visited his son in Texarkana
  	J.W. Higgs and daughter Miss Lyda Higgs are visiting at Texarkana.
  Died	2 Mar 1918	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [20]
  	John W. Higgs died at his home in this city on the 2nd inst. after a brief illness with pneumonia. Funeral services were conducted from the family residence by Rev. J.S. Baird, and the remains interred in the Denison Cemetery, Sunday evening. With the exception of about two years, Mr. Higgs has been associated with the Democrat-Record since it was established in May 1910, and for the past two years has been editor, publisher, and manager. The deceased leaves a wife and five children, Lieut. J.W. Higgs jr., Lieut. Morton T. Higgs, Misses Lyda Higgs, Bettie Higgs, Mary Higgs, and a host of friends to mourn his departure. We extend condolences to the grief-stricken family.
  Buried	Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma   [26]
  	Address: Denison Cemetery
  	FINDAGRAVE: http://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=23701824
  		Headstone - Will and Lida Cason Higgs - 1
  		Headstone - Will and Lida Cason Higgs - 2
  Person ID	I3534	Scott Dickson's Family
  Last Modified	26 Apr 2019

  
  

  Father	Thomas Morton Higgs,   b. 11 Jul 1837, Athens, Limestone Co., Alabama ,   d. 4 Feb 1875, Washington, Hempstead Co., Arkansas  (Age 37 years)
  Mother	Mary J. Sartain,   b. 27 Jun 1834, Decatur, Morgan Co., Alabama ,   d. 29 Oct 1887, Texarkana, Miller Co., Arkansas  (Age 53 years)
  Married	25 Dec 1857	Athens, Limestone Co., Alabama   [27, 28]
  	Thomas M. Higgs and Mary J. Sartain were married at the home of William H. Oglesby in Athens, AL by Jn. Turrentine, J.P. on Christmas Day, 1857.
  Family ID	F263	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Eliza Johnson (Lida) Cason,   b. 24 Jun 1868, Carrollton, Pickens Co., Alabama ,   d. 7 Mar 1941, Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas  (Age 72 years)  [29]
  Married	3 Mar 1889	Arkadelphia, Clark Co., Arkansas   [30]
  Children	1. Jere Will Higgs,   b. 5 Jun 1893, Alma, Crawford Co., Arkansas ,   d. 30 Nov 1952, Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas  (Age 59 years)   2. Morton Thomas Higgs,   b. 25 Sep 1896, Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas ,   d. 4 Jun 1956, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., California  (Age 59 years)   3. Lida Higgs,   b. 30 Nov 1898, Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas ,   d. 1 Sep 1974, Rolling Fork, Sharkey Co., Mississippi  (Age 75 years)   4. Bettie Higgs,   b. 24 Nov 1903, DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas ,   d. 25 May 2000, Edmond, Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma  (Age 96 years)   5. Mary Higgs,   b. 16 Sep 1906, DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas ,   d. 26 Oct 1988, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee  (Age 82 years)
  Last Modified	19 Mar 2021
  Family ID	F258	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 7 Apr 1859 - Magnolia, Columbia Co., Arkansas Census - 12 Sep 1860 - Iuka, Tishomingo Co., Mississippi Census - 6 Jul 1870 - Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas Census - 11 Jun 1880 - Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas Occupation - printer - 11 Jun 1880 - Ozan Township, Hempstead Co., Arkansas Residence - Lida talks about visiting with Will Higgs locally. - 22 Oct 1888 - Texarkana, Bowie Co., Texas Residence - visited Arkadelpha - 8 Feb 1889 - Texarkana, Miller Co., Arkansas Married - 3 Mar 1889 - Arkadelphia, Clark Co., Arkansas Occupation - started a Democrats Club - 4 Aug 1890 - Alma, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - took over management of the Fort Smith Times - 16 Apr 1900 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Census - 25 Jun 1900 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - newspaper editor - 25 Jun 1900 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - moved from Van Buren Venture to Searcy Beacon - 24 Jul 1901 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - established the Alma Echo - 25 Oct 1901 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - candidate for circuit clerk - 11 Dec 1901 - Alma, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - took over the Van Buren Weekly Venture - 3 Apr 1903 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - left the Van Buren Republican Venture - 14 Jul 1903 - Van Buren, Crawford Co., Arkansas Occupation - took over DeQueen Democrat - 31 Jul 1903 - DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas Occupation - began to work at the McCurtain Democrat Record - May 1910 - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Census - 5 May 1910 - DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas Occupation - printer in a weekly newspaper - 5 May 1910 - DeQueen, Sevier Co., Arkansas Occupation - agent for Strauss Brothers Tailors of Chicago. - 12 Feb 1914 - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Occupation - agent for Merchant's Life insurance - 30 Apr 1914 - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Misc - visited his son in Texarkana - 29 Jul 1915 - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Died - 2 Mar 1918 - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma Buried - Address: Denison Cemetery - - Idabel, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Will and Nan Higgs
  		Will and Nan Higgs
  		JW Higgs
  		Will Higgs Family Will Higgs, Jere Will Higgs, Lida Cason Higgs

  
  

• Notes

  Will Higgs operated and worked at newspapers throughout Arkansas and Oklahoma. Working as a printer in Texarkana in 1875, he moved to DeQueen, AR to publish the DeQueen Democrat Record. He served newspapers in Alma, AR and Van Buren, AR before moving to Idabel, OK in 1911 to work at the Idabel Democrat Record. He died of pneumonia after an illness of about two weeks. According to initial reports of his death, his remains were to be shipped to Boyce, TX. The rationale for this report is unknown. Perhaps he had as yet undiscovered family in that area. He was not from that area and he had no siblings or known family there or any connection at all to the area. But, since this was reported, it ought to be followed up to find out of there is a connection. N4, h2 J.W. Higgs worked for the Idabel Democrat Record, successor to the McCurtain Record in Idabel, Oklahoma for a number of years. From time to time, Will was listed as Editor or Publisher. But, generally, that was held for Tom G. Taylor, who owned the paper. Tom G. Taylor purchased the McCurtain Beacon Times in 1914, consolidating it with the Democrat Record. Then in June 1914, he ran for state representative and was elected in November 1914. 17 Sep 1914 - J.W. Higgs, Jr, who has been visiting his parents for a week, left Tuesday for Leesville, La., where he will complete his work with the civil engineering corp of the KCS preparatory to returning tothe University at Fayetteville, Ark. to complete his course. 1 Oct 1914 - Negro Loving Socialist - Anarchist & Infidel (headline in Idabel Democrat Record) 8 Oct 1914 - Socialism vs. Religion - Shows its enmity to all things good by its own arguments (editorial by J.W. Higgs) 26 Nov 1914 - Armour Higgs was a guest of his brother, Pat, Sunday. 24 Dec 1914 - J.W. Higgs, Jr. arrived in the city from Louisiana where he holds an important position in the civil engineering department of the Kansas City Southern railway, to spend Christmas with his parents. 24 Dec 1914 - Morton T. Higgs, who is attending the University of Arkansas, came on Sunday to spend the holidays with his parents. 7 Jan 1915, Vol. 7, #44 is the first issue of the Democrat-Record that lists J.W. Higgs as publisher and Tom G. Taylor as owner & editor.Also included in this issue are notes that Morton Higgs left Sunday,having spent the holidays with his parents, for Fayetteville, Ark,where he goes to resume his studies. 21 Jan 1915 - School Notes - The Literary Society Program includes avocal trio - Mabel Dewitt, Noreen Ellers, and Lida Higgs 28 Jan 1915 - Honor Roll of pupils of Idabel Public Schools, not late or tardy for the month of ending 22 Jan 1915, in Mrs. Higgs class at Central School (also listed for 19 Feb 1915), and Lida Higgs in the High School. 11 Mar 1915 - School Notes - Literary Society Debate - Resolved that women should have suffrage in Oklahoma - on the negative side, Lida Higgs. 1 Apr 1915 - After a weekend visit with her sister, Mrs. J.W. Higgs,Mrs. G.P. Frazer left Monday for Little Rock. 8 Apr 1915 - J.W. Higgs, Jr spent Sunday in the city visiting his parents. 3 Jun 1915 - Morton T. Higgs arrived at the city this morning from Fayetteville, Ark, where he has been attending the University, for a visit to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Higgs, before going to his summer work. 10 Jun 1915 - Mrs. J.W. Higgs left yesterday for Royse, Texas, in answer to a message that her father was dying. She was accompanied to Hugo by her son, Morton. 24 Jun 1915 - Mrs. J.W. Higgs returned Monday from Royse City, Texas,where she was summoned two weeks ago to the beside of her dying father, Elder J.H. Cason, who passed away a short time after she reached his side. A better man or a stauncher Christian than Rev.J.H. Cason would be hard to find. 1 Jul 1915 - J.W. Higgs name is no longer on the masthead of the paper. Miss Betty Clay Cason of Dustin, Oklahoma, arrived in the city this morning and is a guest o Mrs. Lida Higgs. 1 Jul 1915 - J.W. Higgs, Jr, came over Thursday from Texarkana but returned Friday. His mother, brother, and two little sisters accompanied him to Texarkana to visit with him for a while. 29 Jul 1915 - J.W. Higgs and daughter, Miss Lida Higgs, are visiting at Texarkana. 19 Aug 1915 - Miss Lida Higgs arrived home today from a three weeks visit to points in Arkansas. 2 Sep 1915 - Miss Bettie Higgs has returned from a visit to DeQueen 7 Sep 1915 - Open letter to J.W. Higgs for political views printed on 2 Sep. 16 Dec 1915 - Morton Higgs will arrive Saturday. Will complete studies at the University of Arkansas in June. J.W. Higgs, who is the senior transit man on the southern end of the KCS, with headquarters at Texarkana, arrived at home today to spend the holidays with his parents. 13 Jan 1916 - See Higgs samples before you order a suit. By mid-1918, the paper lists J.W. Higgs as editor and publisher, Tom Taylor is gone from the masthead. 14 Feb 1918 - Col. J.W. Higgs of the Democrat-Record force has been severely ill for several days, but we are glad to report is improving at this writing. 7 Mar 1918 - John W. Higgs died on the 2nd. Children surviving are Lt. J.W. Higgs, Lt. Morton T. Higgs, Lyda Higgs, Bettie Higgs, Mary Higgs. On 14 Mar 1918, Tom Taylor is listed as Editor and Publisher again. ** Several times in the newspaper accounts, J.W. Higgs and Ira Higgs are going to Nashville, Ark. to visit cousins Bob Dennison, Bill Dennison, and Mrs. Eugene Counts. How are these connected?

  
  

• Sources

  [S128] History of Crawford County, Arkansas. [S129] Obituary of John William Higgs Idabel Democrat Rec. [S130] Higgs, John William, Death notice, McCurtain Gazet. [S131] Funeral of John William Higgs McCurtain Gazette Id. [S132] Idabel Democrat Record Idabel, Oklahoma, Oklahoma. [S551] 1860 US Federal Census, Tishomingo Co., MS, Iuka; page 380; dwelling 2541, family 2541; Thomas Higgs. [S717] 1870 US Federal Census, Hempstead Co, AR, Ozan Township; page 91; dwelling 672, family 672; T. M. Higgs. [S711] 1880 US Federal Census, Hempstead Co., AR, Ozan Township; ED 112; page 47; dwelling 274, family 297; Higgs, William. [S879] Lida Cason Higgs Letters, Letter to Ida Bledsoe, 22 Oct 1888, Texarkana, Texas. [S1460] Newspapers.com The Southern Standard, Personal Mention; 8 February 1889; 9 March 2019. [S1459] Newspapers.com Daily Arkansas Gazette, The Lewars Democratic Club; 5 August 1890; 9 March 2019. [S1458] Newspapers.com Arkansas Democrat, Van Buren; 16 April 1900; J.W. Higgs (column 1); 9 March 2019. [S591] 1900 US Federal Census, Crawford Co, AR, Van Buren; ED 63; sheet 7A; dwelling 363, family 366; JW Higgs. [S1461] Newspapers.com Helena Weekly World, Column 1; 24 July 1901; 9 March 2019. [S1458] Newspapers.com Arkansas Democrat, Arkansas Fourth Estate; 25 October 1901; 9 March 2019. [S1458] Newspapers.com Arkansas Democrat, Arkansas Fouth Estate; 11 December 1901; 9 March 2019. [S1463] Newspapers.com Fort Smith Times, Done at Van Buren; 3 April 1903; 9 March 2019. [S1463] Newspapers.com Fort Smith Times, Done at Van Buren; 14 July 1903; 9 March 2019. [S1463] Newspapers.com Fort Smith Times, Done at Van Buren; 31 July 1903; 9 March 2019. [S981] McCurtain Democrat Record, Local and Personal; 7 March 1918; Held on Microfilm at the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [S573] 1910 US Federal Census, Sevier Co, AR, Bear Creek Twp, DeQueen; ED 171; sheet 17B; dwelling 291, family 301; John W. Higgs. [S1497] Famous Newspaper Editors of Okalhoma, 26 April 2019; J.W. Higgs, Idabel Oklahoma, page 47. [S981] McCurtain Democrat Record, Local and Personal; 12 February 1914; Held on Microfilm at the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [S980] McCurtain Democrat Record, Local and Personal; 30 April 1914; on Microfilm at the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [S981] McCurtain Democrat Record, Local and Personal; 29 July 1915; Held on Microfilm at the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. [S641] Find A Grave, 25 November 2014; John William Higgs; John William Higgs; 23701824; Sandie Manning Lambert. [S159] Thomas M. Higgs Mary J. Sartain Marriage Return 25. [S701] New Orleans, Louisiana, Marriage Records Index, 1831-1964, 11 August 2012; Thomas M. Higgs to Mary Sartain, 25 Dec 1857. [S1104] U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, 27 March 2017; Morton T Higgs, Certificate 209338, 1 Aug 1922. [S606] Arkansas County Marriages Index - 1837-1957, 11 August 2012; Lida Cason to J. W. Higgs.