JACOB HIGLEY, one of the early pioneers of this county, emigrated from his native New England in the fall of 1849 to seek his fortune in the far West. He was then twenty- eight years of age, having been born Sept. 9, 1821, in Marlboro, Windham Co., Vt. He was reared to farming pursuits in a country whose soil and natural advantages were far different from those of the Prairie State. Here he has found agriculture comparatively easy, and has built up a good homestead in Loran Township, of which he has now been a resident over thirty-eight years. His property includes 154 acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and has erected a substantial set of farm buildings, fashioned after modern architecture and furnished with the conveniences of this later day. He also has other real estate, not connected with the homestead, in the same township.

The parents of our subject, Theodore and Mercy (Haskell) Higley, were also natives of the Green Mountain State, whence they emigrated to Illinois with their son and, settling in Buffalo Grove Township, Ogle County, followed agriculture, and there spent the remainder of their days. Jacob was the seventh of twelve children included in the parental family and, like his brothers and sisters, received the careful training which was extended to the children of that day and that section of country. Of his brothers and sisters who survive two are residents of Ogle County, Ill, and one live in California, Jacob only living in Stephenson County.

Mr. Higley, upon coming to this county, took up his abode in Loran Township, and purchased the land included in his present homestead. He had been married in Marlboro, Vt., in the fall of 1849, to Miss Josephine Howard, who was also a native of that town, and was born April 25, 1826. She was the adopted daughter of Levi and Polly Howard, who spent their entire lives in Vermont. They had no children of their own, and extended to the orphan girl the care and affection which parents usually bestow upon their own children. Mr. and Mrs. Higley became the parents of seven children, who are recorded as follows: Alice J is the wife of Henry Skelly, a mechanic, of Monroe, Green Co., Wis; Manville H. married Miss Janette Gillett, of Kent, and is farming in Kent Township, this county; Rosellie A. is the wife of John Mattis, a resident of Carroll County, Ill.; Adelia, Edgar J., Charles R. and Izora remain with their father. Mrs. Josephine Higley departed this life at her home in Loran Township, Jan. 3, 1886. She was a lady of many excellent traits, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is also connected with that church, of which he has been a member for thirty years. He was given an exhorter’s license in 1858, and has served as Class-Leader and Steward. Mr. H. has done much to build up Methodism, often preaching himself when the society could not secure a regular minister, and with the aid of only one other, made arrangements to buy a chapel for the people to worship in.

Mr. Higley was again married, Aug. 14, 1887, in Freeport, Stephenson County, to Mrs. A. A. Van Brocklin, daughter of the Hon. C. B. Wright, M.D., of that place, who emigrated from New York in the fall of 1855. Mr. H. and wife are living on the old homestead, enjoying the fruits of his labor, he having now retired from active business pursuits. Politically, he is a Republican. He has held the various offices of the township, and has in all respects fulfilled his obligations as a prominent and influential member of the community.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 632-33