Charleston, WV

1999

Charleston Gazette, Tuesday 01/17/1911

Benjamin Franklin Higginbotham (1827-1911) WV

Aged Citizen Dead—Benjamin Franklin Higginbotham, aged 84 years, died Sunday morning at the home of his son, Ernest Higginbotham, of 21 Monongahela street. The wife, three sons and two (daughters) survive. Two of the boys, Ernest and Ed, reside here.

The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o’clock, at the Bowman M. E. church. Interment will be made in Spring Hill cemetery.

Charleston Gazette, Friday 09/08/1911

Abel Parker Upshur Higginbotham (1875-1911) WV

Front page headline: City Mourns Death of Upshur Higginbotham. Was Charleston Solicitor, a Leading Attorney and a Splendid Young Man—Peritonitis Fatal

Upshur Higginbotham, city solicitor for the city of Charleston, and one of the prominent lawyers of the Kanawha Bar, died yesterday afternoon after an illness of one week.

On last Thursday he was seized with appendicitis while walking to his home on Morris street and was later taken from his home to the Barber sanitarium. Upon an operation being performed it was found that he was suffering from peritonitis and had small chance of recovery. For a while he seemed to rally slightly but two days ago it became evident the he was practically beyond the reach of medical aid.

Mr. Higginbotham was widely known in the city and throughout the southern section of the state, and the news of his death brought grief in friends innumerable.

An enterprising, public spirited member of the legal profession, an affable gentleman and a man whose qualities demanded respect and highest esteem from his fellow men. Upshur Higginbotham made countless friends and in the hearts of all who knew him there is brought the deepest of regret.

When the intelligence of his death was received in the city yesterday the regular meeting of the Board of Affairs was adjourned, out of respect to him and general expressions of the deepest regret were heard throughout the city.

The deceased is survived by his wife and four children; his mother and two brothers and one sister. His brother Marshall is a practicing attorney of this city, the other brother Jefferson, resides at Princeton, W. Va., while his sister, Mrs. John Ellinghausen, lives at Sapulpa, Okla.

Funeral Services Today

The funeral services will be conducted at the former home of the deceased at 206 Morris street, this afternoon at 5 o’clock, according to the rite of the B.P.O. Elks who will have charge of the ceremonies. Rev. Dr. Ernest Thompson will deliver the sermon.

The remains will be taken on Saturday morning on C. & O. train No. 4 to Laurel, Summers county, where services will be held at 10 a. m. at the Presbyterian church and interment will take place in the adjoining cemetery.

Members of the local lodge of Elks are requested to meet at the club rooms this afternoon at 4 o’clock to attend the funeral in a body and a delegation will be selected to accompany the remains to Laurel.

The Bar Association of the city of Charleston will meet at 4 o’clock this afternoon in the supreme court room at the capital annex, to pass resolutions of respect to the memory of the deceased, and the members of the organization will attend the funeral services in a body.

Upshur Higginbotham, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Higginbotham, was born Dec. 1, 1875, at the family homestead at Brown’s Ridge, near Athens, Mercer county. While Upshur was yet a lad his father died, leaving him as the eldest of five children, with the principal burden of supporting the family, yet he not only this early in life succeeded in meeting the demands incident upon the mainstay of a large family, but found means to graduate at the Athens Normal School. After graduating at the Normal, he taught school for several years, meanwhile continuing his studies and finally entered the law school at the University of West Virginia, where his native talent soon brought him recognition as one of the most brainy, as well as hard-working students at the big educational institution.

Upon graduation he was admitted to the practice of law in the State, and first practiced his profession in Summers county at Hinton, where he soon became a recognized factor in politics. In the Republican cause he was a tireless worker, and his ability and loyalty were recognized in 1900, when he was elected as a member of the Republican Congressional Committee in the Third District, and afterward (in 1912) being selected as its secretary.

In 1908 he was chosen chairman of the committee, and presided in this capacity until 1910.

Mr. Higginbotham, from 1902 until 1906, was private secretary to Congressman Joseph Holt Gaines from the Third District, and proved in this position a man whose personality won for him friendship and deep regard in the hearts of all whom he came in contact.

In 1902 he married Miss Roberta Kessler of Lowell, Summers county, a member of one of the prominent families of that section.

In 1905 Mr. Higginbotham moved his residence to Charleston, and formed a law partnership with H. Delbert Rummel, the firm becoming prominent among the lawyers of recognized ability at the State capital.

The young attorney’s popularity in his adopted city was attested in 1909 when he was selected for the office of City Solicitor, and during the tenure of this office, which he held at the time of his death, he enjoyed the hearty support and commendation of all political factions, such was his efficiency in the service of the city.

The Monroe Watchman, Thursday 09/14/1911

Column: In Realms Of Rest

Upshur Higginbotham

Mr. Upshur Higginbotham, city solicitor for Charleston and a prominent lawyer of that city, died in the Barber Sanatorium in Charleston last Thursday afternoon, Sept. 7, 1911, after an illness of one week. He was seized with appendicitis and when operated on in the sanatorium it was discovered he was also suffering from peritonitis, and in a form so serious that it was impossible to save his life. Mr. Higginbotham was one of the most widely known young men in the State and universally esteemed. He was a son of the late Henry Higginbotham and was born near Athens, Mercer county, Dec. 1, 1875. After graduating from Concord Normal School he studied law at the W. Va. University, earned his diploma and was admitted to the bar. For years he practiced law at Hinton. Mr. Higginbotham, from 1902 until 1906, was private secretary to Congressman Joseph Holt Gaines from the Third Distract, and proved in this position a man whose personality won for him friendship and regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was a Republican in politics, long a member of the Republican Congressional Committee and from 1908 to 1910 its chairman. While an active partisan he was ever big-hearted, frank and kindly and his friendships included many of those whom he opposed politically. In 1905 he moved to Charleston and successfully continued the practice of law in that city.

Mr. Higginbotham married Miss Roberta Kesler of Lowell, Summers county, in 1902. Surviving him are his wife and four children, his mother, two brothers and one sister.

After funeral services in Charleston the remains were brought to Lowell last Saturday morning, accompanied by the relatives and representatives of the bar and the Elks in a special car. The interment was made in the cemetery at Lowell with the funeral honors of the Elks of which fraternity the deceased was a valued member.

West Virginia News, Ronceverte, Saturday 03/23/1912

Reese Thompson Higginbotham (1841-1912) VA/WV

Reece T. Higginbotham died at his home near Frankford, this county, last Saturday morning, March 16, 1912, after an illness of several years with Bright’s disease, or some kidney trouble akin thereto, aged 70 years and 7 months. He was a native of Tazewell county, Va., where he was born on the 16^th day of August, 1841. He served during the war as a 1^st lieutenant in the 22d Virginia Calvary, and moved to Greenbrier some nine or ten years ago, where he soon come to be known as an intelligent, public-spirited citizen, worthy of the respect and confidence of all men, His wife, two sons and five daughters survive him.

The Monroe Watchman, Thursday 03/21/1912

I. (R.) T. Higginbotham

Greenbrier county lost a valuable citizen when Mr. I. (R.) T. Higginbotham expired at his home within one mile of Frankford at 1 o’clock last Saturday afternoon, March 16, 1912, after a brief illness. He had had an attack of grippe from which uremic poison developed, quickly ending his useful life. Mr. Higginbotham was about 71 years of age. He was born and reared in Tazewell Co., Va., but about 9 years ago moved to Greenbrier where he bought a handsome farm. He was an upright and honorable man. The deceased is survived by his wife who before her marriage was Miss Lavicie Moore and is a sister of Mrs. W. A. Davidson of Union, and Mr. J. C. Moore of Monitor, this county. He leaves also seven children. The burial took place at Frankford last Monday morning at 11 o’clock.

The Mercer Republican, Friday 04/19/1912

James Hensley Higginbotham (1849-1912) WV

Died at Athens—We are truly sorry to chronicle the demise of Hensley Higginbotham, who passed from this life last Monday evening, after an illness covering a long period. He was one of the best citizens of the county and his death is mourned by a host of relatives and friends. He was nearly 64 years of age. His wife was the Widow Brown, who before marriage to her first husband was Miss Mollie Hare. By the first marriage he leaves three children, and by his last wife one child.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Thursday 04/18/1912

Funeral of J. H. Higginbotham

The funeral of J. H. Higginbotham, who died in Athens on Monday was held here yesterday. The remains were brought here in hacks from the Mercer county college town and arrived at the railroad station about three o’clock, at which point a hearse and carriages met the mourners, and the funeral party proceeded to the cemetery in south Bluefield. The pallbearers were G. M. Barger, H. B. Kitts, John Walters, W. C. Pollock, W. H. Harry and Harry Walker.

The Monroe Watchman, Thursday 04/22/1915

Mary Susan Austin Higginbotham (1844-1915) WV

Headline: Mrs. Higginbotham Buried at Lowell

Mrs. Susan Higginbotham, formerly of Summers county, died at the home of her son, Attorney Marshall Higginbotham, in Charleston, on Friday morning last, April 16, 1915, aged about 70 years, of paralysis. She was a Christian woman and her life rich in good works. Mrs. Higginbotham was born and reared in Pipestem district, and later lived at Hinton. A number of years ago she moved with her sons to Charleston. One son, J. F., lives in Princeton, and a daughter, Mrs. Olive Ellinghausen, in Sapulpa, Okla.. The remains of the deceased were brought to Lowell and there laid by her son, the lamented Upshur Higginbotham, last Saturday afternoon.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 03/1916

Mary Elizabeth Allen Higginbotham (1829-1916) WV

Mrs. Mary Higginbotham, who lived for many years on the site of Bluefield, when what is now a city, was the Higginbotham Farm, occurred Sunday night at the farm of her daughter, Mrs. Millard Dills at Bluff City, Va. following an illness of a week from pneumonia. She lived for almost a century, being 90 years old at the time of her death. "Aunt Mary" Higginbotham, as she was familiarly known throughout this section, was the daughter of Matthew Allen ,an esteemed citizen of the Bland Co., the farm having joined the Giles Co. line. There Mrs. Higginbotham was born and reared, and after her marriage came to this section. The old Higginbotham home, until a few years ago, stood on a hill which is now the site of the Matz Hotel, Flat Top Bank, Commercial Hotel and the block of buildings between Princeton Avenue and Raleigh St. on one side and Stewart and Federal Streets on the other. Her husband, John B. Higginbotham, preceded her to the grave some 20 years ago. Mary Allen Higginbotham is the Mother of Bane S. Higginbotham, J.C. (Bud) Higginbotham , and J.C. (Jeff) Higginbotham and Mrs. Millard Dills (Mariah Elizabeth Higginbotham). Bane S. Higginbotham and Mrs. Millard Dills are the only surviving members of the family. J.C. died in this city some years ago, while in the past 5 years, Jeff met his death in the West by being thrown from a horse. Bane S. Higginbotham for years lived in this city , but within the past few years has been living at DeLand, Florida, although he spends the summers at his summer home at the Iron Litha Springs, at Tip Top. During the last summer Mr. Higginbotham had his Mother with his family at the springs. Mrs. Higginbotham made her home with her daughter, Mrs. M. Dills for the past few years. Mrs. Mary (Allen) Higginbotham was a great Methodist and was probably the oldest member of Bland Street Methodist Church. she was a faithful member of that congregation, and was always loyal to her conviction in every sphere and walk of life... The remains will be brought to Bluefield this afternoon on train # 1, and the funeral will be held at Bland St. Church at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. E.E. Wiley, the Pastor. Internment will be at the old Higginbotham Cemetery in South Bluefield.

The Upshur Republican, Thursday 06/15/1916

Mary Ida Day Higginbotham (1857-1916) WV

Mrs. Colman (sic) C. Higginbotham

Death came peacefully to Mrs. Ida (Day) Higginbotham, wife of Attorney Coleman Cabell Higginbotham at the family home on South Kanawha street at 2:35 o’clock on Monday afternoon, May 29, 1916.

Mrs. Higginbotham was dearly beloved by a large circle of friends in Buckhannon, where many of her girlhood days and the latter years of her life had been spent, and in that circle her quiet, noble influence was a benediction. Beautiful in mind and character, thoroughly cultivated, gracious and charming in personality incapable of a selfish thought, with a refinement of feature and gentleness of expression that reflected a soul in sympathy with everything that is true and good and pure, she irresistibly drew to her all who were privileged to know her. In charity her heart overflowed, her death has cast a shadow over the entire community. She was a life long member of the Episcopal Church and her faith in her God was sublime.

She was a daughter of Dr. R. H. B. Day and Martha (Woods) Day of Nansemond and Albemarle counties, Virginia. She leaves her husband and the following daughters: Misses Mary, Lula Coleman, Virginia Day, Mrs. Hugh McVeigh Mathews, of City Point, Virginia and Mrs. J. Howard Richards of Carrolton, Ohio.

The funeral took place from the home and was in charge of Rev. L. O. Forqueran of the Episcopal Church here, assisted by the Rev. H. B. Lee, Jr., of the St. Paul Church, Weston.

Fairmont Times, Friday 10/20/1916

Frank "Babe" Higinbotham (1890-1916) WV

Excerpts from front page story entitled "Ten Lives Lost In Mine Explosion"

When the first bucket carrying rescuers went down into ill-fated Jamison Number Seven last night, a man stood silently and eagerly awaiting its return. When it came to bringing no news of those who had gone down before the explosion he disappeared to await further developments. He was Lawrence Higginbotham, brother of Babe Higginbotham, who is one of the victims….Babe Higginbotham was one of the best known boys in the Fairmont region. Industrious, he was generally found where work was the best. He came from Zelsing to Number Seven but a few days ago. He is survived by his widow who was Miss Fleming of the Country Club road…The Dead: Babe Higginbotham, machine man, aged 28; married….Not in the history of a mine disaster in West Virginia has so much damage been done on the surface as at Number Seven yesterday. Wreckage lay in heaps on the ground for a quarter mile on each side of the shafts while glassless windows in the mining village and surrounding houses bore mute witness of the power of the blast which originated underground…

Farmer’s Free Press, Fairmont, Thursday 10/26/1916

Headline: Two More Bodies Are Removed From No. 7. Frank Higginbotham and Harry Drennen Brought Out Last Night.

With the recovery of the bodies of Frank Higginbotham and Harry Drennen from the interior of Jamison mine No. 7 last night there are but six bodies left in the mine. The total number of dead thus far taken from the mine is five, four of them losing their lives by the explosion which wrecked the mine and one, L. M. Jones, leader of a rescue party.

Higginbotham was brought to the surface at 11 o’clock last night and the body sent to the R. L. Cunningham morgue where it was prepared for burial. The remains were interred at two o’clock this afternoon at Maple Grove cemetery, the funeral taking place from the home of Mr. Higginbotham’s father-in-law, Daniel Fleming, near Tucker Station. Rev. J. C. Broomfield conducting the services.

Higginbotham’s body was found by the brattice and air party as it was working its way into the remote sections of the mine.

The body of Drennen was found shortly before the body of Higginbotham. It was sent to the Jones Undertaking parlors, where after prepared for burial it was shipped to White Rock cemetery at 1 o’clock where interment was made. Drennen was aged 35 and married. Higginbotham was 29 and married. Rev. C. D. Mitchell conducted the services over the body of Drennen.

Clarksburg Exponent, Tuesday 01/23/1917

Lelia ???? Higinbotham (ca1889-1917) WV

The body of Mrs. Lelia Higginbotham, aged 28, wife of Claude Hickman (?), an employee of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad of this city, was taken to Fairmont yesterday, where funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery at Fairmont.

Mrs. Higginbotham died at Northview at 9 o’clock Sunday morning following an illness of heart disease.

The deceased woman is survived by her husband, Claude Higginbotham, and daughters, Mary N. and Elizabeth.

Mrs. Higginbotham was a life long member of the United Brethren church.

Fairmont Times, Friday 04/27/1917

Leonard Higinbotham (1857-1917) WV

Headlines: Leonard Higginbotham Answers Call. Died Yesterday Afternoon At Fairmont Hospital No. 3. He Is Survived By His Wife, Six Children And Two Brothers. The Funeral Arrangements Have Not Been Completed

Leonard Higginbotham, aged 59 years, of Watson, well known to this part of the state died yesterday afternoon at two thirty o’clock at Fairmont Hospital No. 3. Death was due to gangrene.

About two weeks ago the deceased had some callous parts removed from his feet. In some manner infection followed and this resulted in death. The remains were removed to the undertaking parlors of Musgrave and son where they were prepared for burial.

The deceased for many years was an employee of the Consolidated Coal Company. His employment brought him in contact with hundreds of men in Marion, Harrison and Barbour counties. He was known to all of them who through their long acquaintance he had endeared himself to them and the news of his death will be passed along in sincere sorrow. He was a friend who rang true under all circumstances. He was obliging, ever-ready and willing to help wherever he could be of service.

Leonard Higginbotham was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Higginbotham who before their death were prominent citizens of Fairmont. He is survived by his wife and six children, Lawrence, Fred and Dewey, of Fairmont; Mrs. Ida Jennings, of Newell, Pa.; Mrs. Louise Smith, of McKeesport, Pa.; and Miss Lucy Higginbotham, at home. Two brothers, James Higginbotham, of Fairmont, and Harry Higginbotham, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Mrs. Higginbotham was in McKeesport with her daughter, who is very ill, when her husband passed away. On learning the sad intelligence she started home arriving last night. The funeral arrangements will be completed today.

Fairmont Times, Saturday 04/28/1917

Higinbotham Funeral Today. Services at Home of Son, Fred Higinbotham, in Upper Main Street.

The funeral of Mr. Leonard Higinbotham, better known among his friends as "Mose" Higinbotham, will take place this afternoon at 2 o’clock, with services at the home of Fred Higinbotham, son of the deceased, who lives in the old Elks Club house in upper Main Street. The body was taken yesterday to the son’s home from the Musgrave undertaking rooms. Rev. J. C. Broomfield, of the M. P. Temple, will conduct the services, and interment will be made in Maple Grove cemetery.

Clarksburg Exponent, Tuesday 10/16/1917

Sabina Jane Smith Higginbotham (ca1863-1917) WV

Funeral services for Mrs. Sabina Jane Higginbotham will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Lynch-Osborne Undertaking parlors. The burial will be in the new cemetery at Hephzibah.

Mrs. Higginbotham resided in Union Heights, No. 2, and died Sunday morning at 10 o’clock in a local hospital following a long illness of a complication of diseases.

In addition to her husband, Valentine T. Higginbotham, the deceased is survived by the following children; Austin and John Higginbotham, sons, and Mrs. Beldon Wolbertin, of Gore, and Miss Amia Higginbotham, at home, daughters.

The Raleigh Herald 11/16/1917

James Hensley Higginbotham Jr. (1882-1917) WV/France

Word has been received of the death of James H. Higginbotham, of Bluefield, on the battle fields of France. At the beginning of the war he joined the Australian hospital corps, and was rapidly promoted, becoming first lieutenant. Higginbotham's grandfather was the founder of Bluefield.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph 07/14/1918