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Obit For James Kelly "Kenelm" Higgs
Headline James Kelly Higgs Dead
Text He was loyal to his God, his church, his country and his party and was loyal to everything that he believed was right. He lived in a time when mens words were their bonds and he was of that character of man. No better man than he lived in Barry County, as the writer can testify having known him all our life.

He and the late Dr. John Ray, father of the present editor of the Democrat, were the staunchest of friends, before and after the civil war. He told the present editor, that Dr. Ray’s influence and getting him to read Union papers at commencement of the civil war, caused him to espouse the cause of the Union, while his three brothers went south.

All were the best of citizenship but had different opinions. We have had many large families in Barry County, but there are no better families than the Higgs family.

He was our friend, well wisher and patron and we had the warmest feeling for him, for that and because he was such a warm and staunch friend of our father. God bless his memory. He left a rich heritage for his sons and daughter, that they should be proud and imitate his many grand virtues.
James Kelly Higgs was born in Granville county, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 1833 and was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Higgs, who moved to Barry County in 1852, and the father lived to the ripe old age of 93 years, on the farm now owned by Farmer Higgs a nephew on Pogue’s Creek in Higgs neighborhood near New Hope Church. He had lived in Barry county, seventy years, had seen it grow from a wilderness to one of the best counties in the Southwest.

In 1860, he and Miss Martha Jane Williams of Lawrence county were married, she being a daughter of the late Judge James Williams the first county clerk of Barry county. Two of his brothers married sisters of his wife. He left four sons and one daughter who are; James Z. Higgs of near Mano, Mrs. Bettie Duncan of Wheaton, W.H. Higgs of Purdy, John Higgs of Cassville RT. 3 and Harvey Higgs of R.F.D. Exeter. He left 31 grand-children and 25 great- grand children to mourn his passing on. He professed faith in Christ at the age of 18 years and united with New Hope Baptist Church, and was one of two living members of the original organizers of that church. Mrs. Burton, mother of Ollie Burton of that section being the only one left. He lived a devoted Christian life, was true husband and kind father. He died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Bettie Duncan of Wheaton, June 8, 1922, at the ripe old age of 88 years, 9 months and 22 days. He was a brother of late L.T. McDuff, George and “Red” Higgs all honorable, upright and honest citizens of Barry County. There were six sisters and they too have passed on.

Dr. Leonard C. Higgs of Maryland, grandfather of the Higgs brothers, served in the revolutionary army, as did their Mother’s side whose names were George and Dorcas (Woods) Harrison.

Rev. J.T. Brattin of Cassville, conducted funeral services at New Hope Baptist Church, June 9, 1922, at 2:30 p.m., where a large number of relatives, friends and neighbors had assembled to pay last respect to one of our best citizens. Interment was made in the Higgs family Cemetery, beside his wife, who died many years ago.
Research note by Betty (Higgs) Lamberson:

James K. Higgs was a Corporal in Capt. Ray, Co. L. 76 Reg’t E.M.M. He was age 27, enrolled March 1, 1863.
From Muster Roll on file in the Adjutant General Office In Jefferson City, MO.

James K. Higgs was PVT. In Co.D 46 Missouri, age 31, enlisted Sept. 5 1864 at Springfield.

From Muster Roll on file at the National Archives, Washington D.C.
Newspaper or Funeral Home Cassville Democrat
Date June 1922
Death Cert Link -
Resource A copy of these two documents can be seen in The Higgs Family Maryland to Missouri by Betty Higgs Bridges, published summer of 1978. A copy is located in the Barry County Library.
Submitted by Betty Lamberson