My Genealogy Hound

G. Henry Higby, one of the substantial farmers and prominent citizens of Oakland County, located near Orchard Lake in West Bloomfield township, was born in West Bloomfield township in 1853, within a mile of his present farm. He is a son of Elmer and Mary Ann (Grinnell) Higby, the former of whom was born in 1825 in Orange county, New York, and the latter in Bloomfield township, Oakland County, Michigan.

In 1848 Elmer Higby came to Michigan and located on a farm in West Bloomfield township, Oakland county; he was married in the locality and reared these children: G. Henry, of this sketch; Harvey, deceased; Charles, a farmer in Bloomfield township, Oakland County; and Nathaniel, a farmer of West Bloomfield township.

G. Henry Higby grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the local schools. He was married (first) to Sarah Katherine Kyser, who was born in Canada, and who died in 1888, leaving four children, viz: Edith, who died aged 19 years, in Southern Colorado; Harry Garfield; Chauncy; and Elsie Mary, who is a resident of New Hudson, Lyon township, Oakland County. On June 5, 1902, Mr. Higby was married to Helena Haskins, a daughter of the late Haran and Susan (Hersey) Haskins, the former of whom was born in 1806 near Poughkeepsie, New York, and was a son of Joseph Haskins, of Quaker descent. The family came originally to America from France at the time of the Huguenot persecution, and settled in the rich lands of Dutchess County, New York, where their piety and thrift are still marked. In 1834 Haran Haskins purchased a farm in West Bloomfield township, having come to Oakland County in 1832 as a teacher. In February, 1836, at Stony Creek, Michigan, he was married to Susan Hersey, who was a daughter of John and Lucy (Babcock) Hersey.

The founder of the Hersey family came from England in 1740 and settled in Massachusetts. In 1802 a branch of the family settled in Herkimer County, New York, and during the War of 1812 located in Buffalo. Haran Haskins became a man of wealth and influence in Michigan, and was twice elected to the State Legislature. At the time of his death, in 1856, he was serving as township clerk. He was the father of a family of six children, namely: Lucy Ann, who is the wife of Alfred Stoughton of Williamston, Michigan; Mary, who is the wife of C. E. Owen, of Birmingham, Michigan; DeWitt Clinton and Horace Greeley, both deceased; Helena (Mrs. Higby); and Rush C., who is a resident of Birmingham, Michigan.

The farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Higby reside consists of 80 acres, and is a part of the original 160 acres that her father purchased in 1834 and was bequeathed by the latter to Mrs. Higby. Mr. Higby owns the adjoining 100 acres, a fine property located on Walnut Lake in West Bloomfield township. Mr. and Mrs. Higby are very highly esteemed residents of their neighborhood, most worthy representatives of fine old families. In religious belief they are Presbyterians. Mr. Higby is a Democrat and a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.