My Genealogy Hound

James Higdon, the son of Ruliford and Athelia (Lathem) Higdon, was born in Franklin County, Ala., in 1846. His father came originally from North Carolina, where he was reared on a farm, an occupation to which his attention was directed during life. In his family were nine children, seven boys and two girls, three of whom only are living: Philip, Nancy (wife of John Moore) and James (the subject of this article). Mr. Higdon was in the War of 1812, and died in 1844, his wife surviving until 1872. They were of Scotch-Irish extraction. James Higdon started out upon his own resources in 1862, and began farming on land which he owned, in Clark County, Ark. In 1867 he married Miss Mollie Sprow, a native of Clark County, whose parents, of Mississippi origin, had these children: Lulu, Fredelia and Mollie. Mr. Sprow was a farmer, and himself and wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died in 1882, and his wife in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Higdon are the proud parents of six children, five boys and one girl: Joinor R., Lallie, Walter M., Julie R., George E. and Franklin. Mr. Higdon owns a farm of 420 acres, with seventy-two acres under cultivation. He owns a half interest in a saw and grist mill and cotton-gin, about nine miles south of Hot Springs, and a half interest in the Johnson ferry on the Ouachita River. He is also engaged in hauling timber to Hot Springs, running six teams constantly. While perhaps not possessed of such an education as might be desired, his opportunities for such when a boy having been very limited, he understands thoroughly its worth and heartily advocates educational improvement, and donates liberally to all educational industries. He is a prominent Democrat of his township.