The Washington herald., 1907-02-13

Olean, Feb. l2.-After spending the day
IN a stupOr from which there was no
awakening. ex-Gov. Frank W. Higgins
died at $40 O'Clock tonight at his resi-
dence, on South street.
At his bedside were Mrs Higgins, who
has been there constantly for three
weeks; Miss Josephine Higgins. his daugh-
ter; T. Harrison Higgins. his youngest
son: his brOther-in-law and sister. Mr..
ana Mrs. F. 5. Smith. Of Angelica: Dr.
Hibbard. and his private secretary. Allan
B. Williams.
Sketch of His Life.
Frank Wayland Higgins was born in
Rushford. " y, on August Is, 1856. and
received his education in the district
school of his home town. in the seminary
at Pike, Wyoming County. and in the Riv-
rrview Military Academyat at Poughkeepsle,
from which ne was graduated in 1873. He
vas son Of the late Orrin T. Higgins
and his grandfather was one OF the early
settlers in Allegany County.
After travelling in the West for a year.
Mr. Higgins, then eighteen years Of age
began business life In Chicago as West
ern sales agent for an oil refinery. but
continued in that occupation for short
time only. and after two years more OF
travel he returned to Stanton. Mich.
where he became a partner in the mer-
camille firm of Wood Thayer * Co. A
year later he bought up the business
and continued it in his own name. In
Stanton Mr.. Higgins married Miss Kate
gF
Mr. Higgins father was head OF the pros
porous grocery firm of Higgins, Blodge;t
< Co. which had nine stores IN OIean and
other Central New York towns.
The younger Higgins sold his Michigan
interests in 1879 and bought a partnership
in his fathers firm. He managed il 50
well that in tive years he bought from his
partners three stores in Olean. His father
had bought large areas of timber land in
Minnesota. and to these he added timber
tracts in Wisconsin. Deposits of coal and
oil were found IN them. which materially
increased the family's prosperity. At ,he
time Of his death. Frank Wayland Hig-
gins was Teputed to be several times a
millionaire.
Elected State Senator In 1898.
His political career began in 1888 when
he was elected a delegate to the Republi-
can national convention in Chicago. He
was elected State senator in 1888 from
what was then the Thirty-second district
consisting of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua.
and AIegany counties He was re-
elected from the Fifteenth district con-
siSting, under the new constitution. Of
.Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. in
1885. He represented this district for
three consecutive terms. In 1902 he de-
clined to run again for office. and practi-
calIy announced his retirement from poll
ties.
1t was at that time that he was nomi-
mated for lieutenant governor on the
ticket with Benjamin b. Odell, ir.. and
was elected. Mr.. Higgins got 653, $50 votes.
against 653.555 cast for his opponent
Charles y. Bulger. In 1904 B. 3. Oden. jr..
selected Mr. Higgins as an available
man TO run for governor. He was nomi-
mated and elected, defeating D. Cadv
Herrick, candidate of the Democratic
party, by "a large majority, but running
5000 votes behind President Roosevelt in
the State
His two years in the governors chair
were turbulent Gov. Higgins. an amiable,
peace-loving man, was pulled this way
and that by powerful politicians.
Health Begins TO Fail.
Toward the close of his term he was
talked of as a candidate TO succeed him
self He was urged TO run by many Re
publican politicians that were not es-
pecially in favor with President Roose-
Welt. The governor vacillated for a time.
but finally, on September p, 1896. issued
a statement saying that he had kept his
pledges while in Office. and that by doing
50 he had incurred the enmity Of those
who believe that governors should fol-
low the dictates of party bosses, and
that as another reason for declining re-
nomination he needed time for rest and
TO attend 10 personal affairs. The health
of the governor at that time was Door.
and when he gave way to Gov. Charles
K. Hughes on January !, 1907 he was
undoubtedly a sick man. He retired 10
his home i'm Olean and remained there
until his death
He is survived by Mrs Higgins
daughter, Miss Josephine, and two sons.
o. T. Higgins. who Is married and lives
IN Colorado, and +. Harrison Higgins.