New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-20
DEATH OF Z. S. HIGGINS.
SKETCH OF HIS NOTABLE BUSINESS
CAREER

Elias S. Higgins, who died at Narragansett Pier
Sunday, is an example Of the New-England boy who
starting out to mako his fortune in early llfe seeks
large city field for his shrewdness, pluck, de-
termination and industry. He born In the little
town OF Gray, near Portland Me-, on March 20, 1915
and came 10 New-York about 1885. His father
Maine farmer. and the principal capital possessed by
the young man his brains and activity. He be
came clerk in the carpet store OF George W Belts
and on January 1, 1897, began the business OF A.
T. s. Higgins. This firm continued until $780, when
was established the firm name and company OF
F. $ Higgins & Co.. the present firm Tito.
When the war broke out he and HIS two brothers,
Alvin and Nathaniel d., entered extensively in.o tho
manufacture Of army blankets. The profits from this
Industry wcrc extremely large and AZ the Close Of Tho
war Mr.. Higgins already a rich man. HIS bust
ness enterprises, however, by no means confined
TO the making OF carpets. From HTS earliest days Of
prosperity he was extensive buyer OF real estate
and held property Of great value nearly every part
Of the CITY, lie owned the Grand Hotel. the Grand
Union Hotel and many tenement and fat houses. Hc
was prominently identified with so many great IN
dustries, corporations and business associa-
lions that even HIS intimate associates
were unable TO follow him in his exploits beyond his
own province He was a director Of the Delaware,
Lackawanna and Western Railroad a trustee of the
NewYcrk Lifo Insurance Company a director of tho
Central National Bank and ot tbs Consolidated Gas
Company lie was also Interested in other railways
AMI corporations, and known to have ma"
udicous and profitable Investments IN all parts Of tho
country and IN all kinds Of industries. lie died
millionaire many times ovor. It was as the head of
the great carpet firm Of r. Higgins & Co.. however,
Ehat he was best known. Ills unylcldlrg and long
standing contests acaiast the dctaton Of organized
labor in his carpet factoy doubtless well rr"rn-
bered. During tho las; three years he had seye ii
bitter struggles, In nearly all Of which, II not all, he
was successful lie was kind to his employees
and treated them with fairness bur he was a nan OF
great frmness and detelmtnat1n and could not brook
attach hts authority the head and general Of an
industry which in weaving mill alone that IN
Vest Forty thrd-st., employed nearly 1000
At the time of his death the other members OF the
firm wero Eugene Higgins, his son, and Henry NJ.
Brooks, his sonIn-law. Their downtown Office Is at
No. "a Widest, and Cor many years Mr.. Higgins was
The first TO reach the Office and the last 10 leave H. he
man Of tireless energy and superb manager Of
Jealls and part Of his large affairs escaped his per
sona attention.
He was devoted 10 business life that he took no
interest in anything else. About ten years ago h
bought a handsome country seat In Morrlsown, n. :.
at which place his family lived great part Of the y"
But he himself left The city. living his house
No. 1877 Fifth ave-, except on SATURDAY nights, when
he Joined his family at Moristown. lie was always
back In the city Monday morning lg tho first train.
business nc always said, was his va alton
The great success Of the carpet firm was in part
due to a number of inventions by T - E'e,l1w. which
Mr.. Higgins secured in tti" ear.e.. development
Until the expiration Of the .n0m pacu rsIt, in 1873
tho firm Of L. S Higgins d Do together with one o.
others, able 70 outstrp all its rivals IN
the country. After = Is tlmo tho in drawn into
litigation involving many million dollars with the
Webster Loom Company After the suit h~l been in the
for many years II settled onl short while
ago in favor of f. S. Higgins Co Counsel for Mr..
Higgins were Roscoe COnkng ard Senator Evarts.
On June 81, 1887, Mr. Higgins was attacked with
rheumatism He to Richhed Springs in search
Of relief, but well man again. He left
this city for Narragansett Pier June TO- His death
IS attributed to rheumatism For over year. how
ever he has been living by pure gIf and his trouble
in a great measure the wearing out of magnif-
cent piece of human mechanism which for fifty years
had not stopped work.
Mr. Higgins leaves wife, sister OF Admiral Bald
win; son, Eugene Higgins, and daughter Mrs Henry
NJ Brooks. The funeral Will take place tomorrow
morning at 10 O'Clock, at the Church of the Trans
fguratOn. The burial will DO in the family plot at
UpfIf