HIGLEY, Theodore F. - 1890 Bio (1839-1919)

HIGLEY, BENTLEY, MCELHINNEY, BONER, CLAPP

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/9/2007 at 21:17:00

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 502-503

Theodore F. HIGLEY, City Clerk and Superintendent of the Water Works of Fairfield, was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, N. Y., on the 21st of March, 1839, his parents being Daniel and Nancy (BENTLEY) HIGLEY. His father was born near Bennington, Windham County, Vt., but his mother was a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and her people were among the pioneers on the banks of Lake Chautauqua. The HIGLEY family is of English origin, our subject tracing his ancestry in direct line back to Capt. John HIGLEY of England; while the family was founded in America by Brewster HIGLEY who settled in Connecticut.

When a babe of about six months our subject was taken by his parents in the fall of 1839 to Ogle County, Ill., the family locating at Buffalo Grove. He received his education in Mt. Morris Seminary and soon after the firing upon Fort Sumter enlisted in the country's service in May, 1861, as a member of Company H, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served for one year, during which time he participated in the battle of Shiloh and was then discharged on account of physical disability. In December, 1863, he re enlisted as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and was assigned to Company D, but later his regiment was consolidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry in which he continued to serve until April, 1865, when he was mustered into the Third U. S. Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war. He was mustered out of the service at Memphis, Tenn., on November 28, 1865. His service was in the western department entirely and made him a participant in many important battles and skirmishes.

From Memphis, Tenn., Mr. HIGLEY made his way to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, whither his family had removed in the meantime, but in 1866, he came to Fairfield and in connection with his brother Daniel G., purchased a drug store, continuing in that line of business until 1880, covering a period of fourteen consecutive years. During the past ten years he has been in the employ of the city in one or another official capacity and it is needless to say has ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. In December 1882, he was elected City Clerk, a position which he still fills, and since the acceptance of the Water Works by the city he has been Superintendent of the same.

On the 9th of January, 1867, Mr. HIGLEY was united in marriage with Miss Ella McELHINNEY, daughter of Robert McELHINNEY, and unto them was born five children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are yet living; Mary McELHINNEY, Robert McELHINNEY, Helen E. and Theodore. The third child, Harvey, died at the age of two years. The death of the mother occurred September 8, 1886, and on the 5th of June, 1889, Mr. HIGLEY wedded Mrs. Jennie C. BONER, daughter of William D. and Elizabeth CLAPP. She was born in Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, on the present site of the town of Beckwith. Her parents were pioneers of that place of 1842 and the history of their lives is given elsewhere in this work.

In politics Mr. HIGLEY is a Republican, and socially is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, A. F. and A. M. and of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R. He has proved an efficient and faithful public officer and in the discharge of his duties manifests an earnest desire to care for the city's welfare, sometimes regardless of his own interests.

[Transcriber's note: The G.A.R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.