Higbie, Morrell bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 503-504; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Morrell Higbie, a history of whose life is herewith presented to the public, and whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has passed from the scene of earthly joys and sorrows to his final resting place. For weeks his numerous friends had known that the end was near and all hope of his recovery had been abandoned. Still, when on the eve of March 12, 1890, he breathed his last, surrounded by his devoted family and a few intimate friends, the shock was felt throughout the community. Such was his popularity, and such devotion his noble life had won, that strong men were affected to tears upon hearing the sad news.
Mr. Higbie's birth occurred on January 10, 1833, at Oppenheim, N. Y. He was one of a family of fourteen children; twelve of whom lived to maturity, and five of whom survived him, viz: Mrs. Jeannette Plautz, of Warsaw, Ill.; Mrs. Maria Buell, of Keokuk, Iowa; Mrs. Dr. James, Whitestown, N. Y.; James Higbie of Utica, N. Y., and William Higbie, of Kansas.
Our subject came to Illinois in 1857, locating in Canton, and was at first manager for E. P. Buell, a railroad contractor, who constructed what is now the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. Mr. Higbie was married in June, 1859, to Miss Lucy Ann Spence, and this union was blessed with six children, of whom the only one living at present time is Frankie, wife of F. G. Pitt, whose sketch appears in this volume.
In the year 1859 the subject of our sketch assumed control of the old Mississippi Hotel, then the leading house of Canton, and standing on the site now occupied by the Churchill House. He continued in this business for about two years, and subsequently, in connection with F. S. Buell, managed the hotel and a livery and stock business. They sold the hotel above mentioned to Babcock & Hoblitt, Barbver & Higbie continuing to engage in the stock business until February, 1881. At that date the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Higbie and his brother George erected an immense livery stable on South Main Street, and opened the largest livery and sale business that this city has ever known. Our subject won a national reputation as a horseman in handling such horses as George Sprague, Little Fred, Floral Bell, Dan Brown, Kate Sprague, and numerous other valuable ones.
The strong ties of friendship that existed between Mr. Higbie and the leading citizens of Canton proved the high esteem in which he was held in this community. He had a kind heart and a generous disposition, and no unfortunate person was ever turned away by him or denied assistance. His Christianity was of a practical kind, and as father, husband and friend, he was devotedly loved.
In the Chicago Horseman, the leading turf journal of the West, in speaking of his death, appeared these words: "Actions, words, looks, and steps form the alphabet by which we may spell character," and measured by this rule Mr. Higbie merits untold praise. There was nothing neutral or insignificant in his composition, and the limits of a village did not furnish sufficient scope for his numerous and diversified talents.
Our subject was born and educated in the State of New York, and passed over the intellectual field by rapid stages. He was a man of deeds, not of words, but such was his integrity that his promise was as good as a bond; and even his political foes both respected and liked him. Mr. Higbie's widow and children are justly proud of his reputation, and they too occupy a high place in the esteem of their neighbors.