Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 722-23
Zachariah HIGGS, planter, Princeton, Ark. Zachariah HIGGS, the fourth of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity, born to John and Martha (HARRISON) HIGGS, was originally from Granville County, N.C., where his birth occurred on October 15, 1827. The parents also natives of Granville County, N.C., and moved from that State to Barry County, Mo., where the father died when ninety-three years of age, or in 1884. The mother died on August 22, 1889, when eighty-seven years of age. They were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he built a church in Barry County, Mo., which was called Higgs Missionary Baptist Church. He was formerly a Whig, but latter part of his days was identified with the Democratic party. He was a farmer and a business man, dealing quite extensively in stock, but the most of his property was swept away during the war. He also gave a great deal to his children. He and Mrs. HIGGS were married when quite young, and lived as husband and wife for nearly three-quarters of a century. His father, Leonard C. HIGGS, was a native of Maryland, and died in North Carolina at the age of ninety-six years. He served his country all through the Revolution, and was in many battles with the British. His father, Zachariah HIGGS, moved from Maryland to North Carolina about the time of Leonard’s birth. Zachariah HIGGS, the subject of this sketch, passed his school days in North Carolina, and on coming to Missouri with his parents in 1851, turned his attention to farming. One year later he returned to North Carolina, and after remaining there about eight years, moved to Dallas County, Ark., where he engaged in farming. He is at present the owner of 310 acres of land, with seventy acres under cultivation, all the result of industry and hard work. In 1862 Mr. HIGGS joined the Confederate army in Gen. Tappan’s brigade, Col. Grinstead’s regiment, and served in this command until the battle of Jenkins’ Ferry, where he was unfortunate in having his arm broken, after which he came home and there remained. He was in the battle of Pleasant Hill, Jenkins’ Ferry, and was a brave and trusty soldier. He was in rather poor circumstances, financially, when he returned home, but with the grit characteristic of the family he went to work and soon regained what had been lost previous to the war. On December 30, 1852, he married Miss Betsy G. HARRISON, daughter of K. and M. G. HARRISON, and a native of Granville County, N.C., where his birth occurred on July 28, 1834. The following children were the fruits of this union: Patty Julia (wife of Thomas J. WALSH, a farmer of this county), Robert K. (now attending school), and Anna Mary (at home). Those deceased were: Lonnie C. (who was the wife of Robert D. HALL, and died in Dallas County when about twenty-five years of age; she was born on October 17, 1856, and died on September 20, 1881), and John W. (who was born on August 20, 1867, and died June 17, 1870) when three years of age). Mr. and Mrs. HIGGS joined the Methodist Protestant Church in North Carolina, but as there was no church of that denomination where they lived in Arkansas, they joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. HIGGS was trustee of Macedonia Church, but belongs to Sardis Church. Politically he is a democrat.