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JOSEPH F. HIGBEE, residing on section 33, Marshall Township, is now the oldest settler living on the south side of the Iowa River in Louisa County. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1806, and is the son of James and Mary (Finten) Higbee. He resided in his native county until 1823, there receiving his education, but at that date removed with the family to Crawford County, Ohio. After making that their home for a time they removed to Berrien County, Mich., where the death of the parents occurred, the father departing this life in 1844, and the mother the year following.
On the 2d of July, 1829, Mr. Hughes was united in marriage with Miss Rachel G. Matthews, who was born in Columbiana County, Oho, Jan. 15, 1813. She is a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Hamilton) Matthews, her father a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and her mother of New Jersey. Not being pleased with the State of Michigan, our subject resolved to make his home in Iowa. He crossed the river at Burlington Sept. 1, 1836, and on the 9th of that month settled upon a farm of 227 acres on what is now section 4, Marshall Township. At the land sale in Burlington in November, 1838, he purchased the claim, and immediately began the improvement of the land, which was at that time entirely uncultivated. At the time of his arrival the Indians were the owners of the county seat, now called Wapello, and they gave to Mr. Higbee the name of “Good Shemoka Man,” meaning good white man, and to Mrs. Higbee “Good Squaw.” They were frequent visitors of the cottage, some of them stopping there nearly every day. On one occasion, while Mrs. Higbee was washing, an old Indian who was under the influence of liquor, accompanied by his squaw, came to the cabin and asked Mr. Higbee how he would like to swap squaws, but our subject, feeling entirely content with the lady of his choice, declined to make the trade. Long since the Indians, who were then so numerous, have died or been driven westward by the ever advancing white man, and one by one the old settlers answer the call of Him Who doeth all things well, until Mr. and Mrs. Higbee are almost the only pioneers of the days of the “thirties” who are still living. The little cabin into which they moved on their arrival in Louisa County, and where so many happy days were passed, has long since given way to a more commodious residence. Even the old timber that stood upon the homestead has died, and new growth has taken its place, Nature teaching us the lesson of life and death, of one generation giving place to another; but though the old pioneers will pass away, their works and deeds are not forgotten.
On the 2d of July, 1888, Mr. Higbee and his wife saw the close of fifty-nine years of wedded life, which has been full of sunshine and happiness, darkness and sorrow, such as come to all in this world. Fifteen children were born to this worthy couple, making glad the hearts of the parents: Mary A., who was born Sept. 2, 1830, is now the wife of Joseph Story, a resident of Parsons, Kan.; Joshua W. was born Dec. 9, 1831; Jonathan was born June 12, 1833; Emmarancy, born June 13, 1835, is now the wife of William Miller, who owns the old homestead of the family; James was born Nov. 7, 1836, and his sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Rebecca, born Nov. 16, 1838, is the wife of William Skinner, a resident farmer of Marshall Township; Joseph, a merchant of Morning Sun, Iowa, was born Sept. 19, 1840; Minerva, born Aug. 14, 1842, is the wife of Martin Ranshenberger, a broker residing in Cherokee County, Iowa; Julius, born Aug. 6, 1844, died in 1853 at the age of nine years; Clarissa, born Jan. 24, 1847, died on the 3d of March following; William, born April 3, 1848, is . . .
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. . . a resident farmer of Cherokee County, Iowa; Lovina Clarissa, born May 19, 1850, died March 23, 1864; Uriah, born Sept. 25, 1852, is engaged in farming in Washington County, Col.; Sylvester, born May 3, 1854, died Feb. 19, 1876; Susan, born March 29, 1856, is the wife of Thomas Martin, a farmer of Marshall Township.
Although Mr. and Mrs. Higbee have long passed the meridian of life, they are both remarkably well preserved. Seven years ago Mrs. Higbee received a paralytic stroke, from which she has never recovered, yet she bears her trial with contentment and is an example of Christian patience. Mr. Higbee is now in his eighty-third year, yet he retains his physical and mental powers in a wonderful degree. In 1833 these old people united with the Christian Church, and for fifty-seven years have nobly espoused the cause of their Master. Mr. Higbee has filled all the township offices, and in all matters of public or private trust has been the soul of honor. In his political views he has ever supported the principles of the Democratic party. Not only as the oldest living pioneer south of the Iowa River, but as a citizen, neighbor and friend, does Mr. Higbee receive the respect and esteem of the community.
