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         JAMES HIGBEE, residing on section 19 of Morning Sun Township, is one of the oldest living settlers in Louisa County, his sketch, therefore, will be doubly welcome, and his history is one of especial interest. On the 7th of November, 1836, he was born to Joseph and Rachel (Matthews) Higbee, the father a native of New York and the mother of Ohio. They came to Louisa County in 1836, purchasing a claim on section 4 in Marshall Township, and there eleven of their children were born, our subject being the first of that number. In that township he was reared, and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-three years he left the parental roof and made a trip to Camp Floyd, Utah, and in 1859 traveled from Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., with a freight wagon laden with provisions for the regular soldiers stationed at Camp Floyd, Utah, forty-five miles west of Salt Lake City. While returning home he entered a tract of land, 240 acres in extent, in Anderson County, Kan. He arrived at home in November, 1859, and on the 20th of December, 1860, his marriage with Miss Catherine Watts was celebrated. She was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and a daughter of John Sidney and Ann (Van Horn) Watts, both of whom were also natives of the same State. They emigrated to Louisa County in 1852, though both are now deceased, the mother dying Aug. 2, 1858, and the father departing this life Feb. 27, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Watts were members of the Christian Church, and were highly respected people in the community where they resided.

The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Des Moines County, bordering on the Louisa County line, there remaining until 1865. Having purchased a farm in Elm Grove Township, this county, they there took up their residence in that year. The original farm was but forty acres in extent, though by subsequent purchase eighty other acres were added, making in all 120 acres. Upon this farm eight happy years were passed, and then they removed to Morning Sun, where they engaged in hotel-keeping for about ten months. At the expiration of that time Mr. Higbee traded the hotel for the farm on section 19, Morning Sun Township, which now consists of 152 acres of fine land, and here he still makes his home.

On the 19th of August, 1882, Mr. Higbee was called upon to mourn the death of his wife. She was a sincere Christian lady, a member of the Christian Church, in which she was an active and devoted worker, and in her death the church lost one of its best members, the community, one of its respected citizens and the family, a kind and indulgent wife and mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Higbee were born seven children, six of whom died in infancy. Mary, the only surviving child, is with her father, and a member of the Christian Church. She is a young lady of good ability as an artist, and many of her pictures adorn and beautify the comfortable home. On the 10th of December, 1885, Mr. Higbee was again married, Miss Watts, who is also a native of Richland County, Ohio, and sister of his deceased wife, becoming his wife. She is also a member of the Christian Church, and an earnest, devoted worker in the cause.

Mr. Higbee has held various township offices of trust, and was Mayor of Morning Sun during his residence in that city. In 1886, at the semi-annual meeting of the Pioneers’ Association, he was elected its President, being, as before stated, one of the oldest living settlers born in the county, and has since held that position. Mr. Higbee has always been one of the leading citizens of Louisa County, and, besides the various township offices which he has filled, he was appointed, in 1871, by the Governor, as one of the Swamp Land Commissioners, the appointment being made without his previous knowledge. The work of the Commissioners was to drain and ditch the low land, and in that work Mr. Higbee spent about $1,600, performing the duty faith- . . .

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. . . fully, honestly and well. In his political views he was always a Democrat until the temperance question came before the people, when he cast his vote with the Republican party, and has continuously supported that body since. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Since the year 1836 Mr. Higbee has witnessed the entire development of the county, and, with the exception of a short time spent in traveling, he has always lived within sight of his birthplace. In an address to an old settlers’ meeting, he made the following remarks: “I believe that if there is one class of people under the shining sun that is more deserving of honor and praise than another, it is the pioneers. Those who came in the advance lived on the mast for a few years, drank slough water, broke the soil, trampled down the nettles and faced savage beasts and savage men. It was not the dudes that subdued this country; it was the men, women and children that were willing to bare their arms and cheeks to the burning sun, and mop the sweat from their sunburned brows.”

The historian indorses every word of the above, for what would our country be to-day were it not for the brave men and women who dared to face the trials and privations of pioneer life to make homes in an unbroken wilderness or upon a boundless prairie. To such men as Mr. Higbee the highest praise is due for the work of cultivation and improvement which they have carried on, the educational and religious institutions which they have built. We take pleasure in presenting this sketch of this honored and worthy pioneer, who for over half a century has ranked among the respected citizens of Louisa County and the State of Iowa.