“The History of Dodge County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1880.


Township:  Shields

JAMES HIGGINS, Sr.,  farmer, Secs. 28 and 33;  P.O. Hubbleton, 
Jefferson Co.; born in County Sligo, Ireland, March 25, 1824; was 
educated in the common schools of his native land; in 1847, he went to 
Liverpool, Eng., and superintended the shipping of iron for the Chester 
& Berkenhead R.R. Co. about three years; May 1, 1851, he left England 
for America, landing at New York, and coming at once to Shields with 
his family, locating on his present farm of 200 acres.  His father, P. 
Higgins, had bought this previously, and built a log house, which still 
stands; the farm was then a forest of oak, ash, hickory, etc.  As a result 
of the pioneer labors of father and son, the farm is now cleared and well 
improved, and is furnished with good buildings.  Peter Higgins came to 
America in 1828 dying in October, 1875.  His son, a stanch Democrat, 
was Justice of the Peace many years, Chairman of Shields seven years, 
was County Clerk in 1870 and 1871, and a member of the Wisconsin 
Assembly in 1876.  He married Miss Mary Leery July 23, 1846, who 
died Oct. 7, 1870, leaving ten children – James, John, Mary A. 
(deceased), Peter, Thomas, Edward, William, Edmond, Albert and Mary 
(deceased).  July 23, 1874, he married Miss Maria Mullen, of 
Watertown; they have three children – Francis, Henry and Honora L.  
The family are Roman Catholics.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)