The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-19

took a course in a commercial college,
returning to Joliet after his graduation
and obtaining employment In the Will
County Bank as q clerk In 1859 he
went to the Joliet City Bank at an In
creased salary, leaving to become
cashier OF the Bank Of Oconto.
Forsaklng the banking business In
1851 young Hisinbotham for second
time went to Chicago. becoming an as
sistant bookkeeper with the dry goods
firm of Cooley. Farwell e. Co. In the
GUNNER of 1892, however. he enlisted In
the Mercantile Battery. serving until the
end Of the war In 1866 His health had
been fragile UP to the time he entered
the army, but the rigors of campaigning
proved OF the utmost benefit physically,
and he frequently said that his army
experience had saved his life.
Enters the Field Firm.
At the close of the war Mr.. Hign-
botham returned to Chicago ana entered
the employ OF Field. Palmer & Letter
as a bookkeeper. From then on his rise
was rapid and in 1868 he won a partner
chip in the firm of Field, Letter & Co.
During the great FIRE In 1871 he person
ally saved his firm heavy loss and
through his efforts 5000, 900 worth Of
| silks and other goods were taken from
the store to a place of safety. Ten years
later he was made president OF the Arm
OF Marshall Field & Co, a position he
held until his voluntary retirement in
1901.
Mr.. Higinbotham was president of the
Worlds Columbian Exposition. held at
| Chicago in 1929 He was one of the
leaders in the project and the success
| of the Worlds Fair there was due in no
small measure to his efforts.
Although he was leader in CONNER
cial and social life MFR. Hginhotham
found time and money to devote to char
table and philanthropic work. He was
especially interested in the Chicago Home
| for Incurables. He was Its president
gave without pay several hours of his
time each day TO It's management and
| to his work in connection with other
charities.
1t was through his endeavor that the
association made tip of Chicago news
| boys and bootblacks was put upon q
sound financial basis He was presiden,
OF the Free Kindergarten Association
and always showed great interest In the
public schools. Mr.. Higinpotham was a
leader in developing the Municipal Tu,
berculosis Sanatorium and Hahnemanr
Hospital.
Married a Childhood Friend.
From 1897 to 1909 he served as heat
OF the Field Museum of Natural History
He was also vice-president of the board
of trustees of Northwestern University
Mr. Higinbotham was director of tn,
North1rn Trust Company and at on,
time head of tho National Portland
Cement Company and tie National Gro
Gerry Company.
In 1866 Mr.. Higinbotham married
Miss Rachel Dawson. childhood
friend who had lived on a neighborini
farm outside Joliet. She died some year
ago. After achieving success Mr.. Higin
botham spent large sums in converting
his fathers farm into a beautiful coun
try estate. He restored an old grist mil
which his father had built on Hickor.
Creek, and that and the house in whicl
he was born are still standing.
Il Mr.. Higinbotham leaves four children
Mrs. r. T. Crane, Jr., Mrs. ]. NJ Patter
son and Harry and Harlow B. Higin
botham.
Charles L. Hutchinson, ce-presiden
or the Corn xchange Bank, said OF hin
last night:
'Harlow Higinbotham was one Of tn
best citizens Chicago ever had. The cit
owes a great deal to him for his splen
did work, especially during the World
Exposition period. He always had tn
good of the community at heart, an
was very generous. OF late years h
gave almost all his time, when he wa
at home, to the work OF the Chicag
Home for Incurables. He was bis
generous man, and I was very close I
him. Recently he has been spending hi
summers on the Massachusetts shore an
part OF his winters in the South. HI
life has been an inspiration and man
will mourn for him"