Friends here learned of the death Sunday of Mrs. Thelma Slater at her home in Chicago after a short illness.

The body will be taken to Bluefield for service and burial.

The Buckhannon Record, Friday 03/09/1951

Mary Frances Higginbotham (1876-1951) WV

Miss Mary Frances Higginbotham of South Kanawha Street, died Saturday, Mar. 3, at the Leonard Memorial Hospital, where she was taken the first of last week following a paralytic stroke.

Born in Upshur County, she was a daughter of the late Coleman Cabell Higginbotham and Ida Day Higginbotham. She is survived by her three sisters, Miss Lulu Higginbotham and Miss Virginia Higginbotham, at home, and Mrs. H. M. Mathews, of Schuyler, Va.

Miss Higginbotham was a member of the Episcopal Church and of the New Century Club. She conducted art classes for many years.

Funeral services were held at the Whitescarver-Rundle Funeral Home Tuesday morning, Mar. 6 at 10:30 o’clock, with the Rev. Ben R. Roller, of the Weston Episcopal Church, officiating, assisted by Alvin Schmutz, lay reader of the Buckhannon church. Burial was in the Heavner Cemetery.

Fairmont Times, Wednesday 03/14/1951

Grace Swindler Higinbotham (1880-1951) WV

Mrs. Grace Higinbotham, 71, wife of J. M. Higinbotham, died yesterday at her home at 207 Merchant Street after having been an invalid for the past four years.

She is survived by her husband, one sister, Mrs. Loman D. Hoult of Katy; one son, Dr. J. H. Higinbotham, Fairmont, and two grandchildren.

She was a member of the McElfresh class of the Diamond Street Methodist church, and was a native of northern West Virginia.

Carpenter and Ford, undertakers, are handling the funeral arrangements, which are as yet incomplete.

Fairmont Times, Thursday 03/15/1951

Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Swindler Higginbotham, wife of J. M. Higginbotham, whose death occurred Tuesday in the Lytton nursing home, will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon in the Carpenter & Ford funeral home. Mrs. Higginbotham had been an invalid for four years.

The Rev. Dr. Coleman Brown, pastor of the Diamond Street Methodist church, will conduct the services. Burial will be made in Woodlawn cemetery.

Mrs. Higginbotham was the mother of Dr. J. H. Higginbotham, local dentist. She was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jobe S. Swindler of Virginia.

Charleston Daily Mail 05/14/1951  

Son Higginbotham (1951-1951) WV

Higginbotham, baby son of Mrs. Golden Higginbotham of Sissonville. Surviving besides the parents are on brother, Dana Gene Higginbotham; one sister, Judy Carol Higginbotham; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Higginbotham of Sissonville and Mr. and Mrs. I. V. Jones, Sissonville. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Boggess Cemetery at Allens Fork. Cunningham funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

Wetzel Democrat, Thursday 07/19/1951

Roy Howard Higginbotham (1934-1951) WV

Headline: Mannington Boy Drowning Victim in Fishing Creek

Roy Howard Higginbotham, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Higginbotham of Mannington Route 1, met death in the muddy waters of Fishing Creek on Sunday afternoon, July 15.

The drowned boy, with Ivan Hayes, 19, Robert Lee Horner, 19, and Eugene Starkey, 20, all of Mannington, accompanied by Mrs. Doris Hayes, mother of Ivan, arrived at the place of the drowning in a car driven by Mrs. Hayes, about the middle of the afternoon.

The boys went for a swim and in a short time Roy called for help. Ivan Hayes went to the rescue but was unable to bring him to shore. He wasn’t long in reaching the drowning boy and grappled with him for some time, at last giving up in order to save his own life.

Folks standing on the bank while the struggle for life and death was going on, were unable to help.

After fruitless efforts to recover the body, Jack Furbee of Reader happened along, dived several times and brought the lifeless boy to shore.

After a telephone call to this city, Chief of Police Morris and volunteer firemen rushed the inhalator to the scene, which was used untiringly until it was evident that all efforts or resuscitation were useless.

Due to recent rains, the creek at that point was unusually high. A verdict of death by drowning was returned by Justice of the Peace Oran Gray of Reader.

Fairmont Times, Thursday 10/04/1951
Rosa Lee Higginbotham Floyd (1896-1951) WV
Mrs. Rose Lee Floyd Dies
Mrs. Rose Lee Floyd, 55, wife of Ellis Floyd of Rymer, died at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning at that Fairmont General hospital after a few weeks illness.
She was married to Mr. Floyd July 8, 1939, and was a daughter of the late Wesley and Jennie Mike Higginbotham. She was born May 11, 1896.
She was a member of the Rymer Methodist church and the WSCS of the church.
Surviving are her husband and the following step-children: Mrs. Hazzel Rice, French Creek; Mrs. Ethel Price, Route 1 Mannington, and Mrs. Elsie J. Wyckoff of Mannington.
Surviving brothers and sisters are Mrs. Margaret Efaw, William Higginbotham, Mrs. Hazel Wright, John and Grace Higginbotham, all of Mannington, and Mrs. Ella Cumberledge of near Waynesburg, Pa.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon in the Rymer Methodist church and burial will follow in the Rymer cemetery by the Huey Funeral home. Rev. E. B. Ware will officiate.

Beckley Post-Herald 10/24/1951

Nancy Jean Higginbotham (1946-1951) WV

Mullens, Oct. 23-A runaway car killed a five-year-old Caloric girl today seconds after she left home enroute back to school from lunch.

Two persons tried desperately to prevent the accident including the 18-year-old woman driver who had just alighted from the vehicle on a sloping dirt street.

The dead girl was Nancy Jean Higginbotham, a first grade student and youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Higginbotham.

She was pronounced dead on arrival at a Mullens hospital. Death was apparently caused almost instantly by a skull fracture.

Police said no charge would be placed against the car owner, Mrs. Manuel McCargish, who had attempted to re-enter the vehicle as it rolled downgrade.

State Trooper William Gosnell said the child’s death would not be listed as a highway fatality since it occurred on a private road.

Persons living in the vicinity said the young woman driver had walked and run along side the car pulling at the door handle apparently in an effort to halt of slow the machine.

She remembered trying to call a warning to the little girl whose body was shoved into a wooden fence by the car after it rolled across a ditch line.

William Combs, an eye witness of the tragic incident, leaped across the fence in an effort to snatch the girl from the car’s path but was too late.

The Higginbotham’s and the childless McCargish’s live across the street from each other. Higginbotham is president of the Otsego mine local union and was at work.

The child’s mother said she knew Nancy had been hit when she heard a neighbor scream “My God, whose child is that?” She recalled being in her kitchen getting ready to bake a cake for her nephew’s birthday.

Mullens City Policeman Clifford Phillips, who was called to investigate, said the car travelled a distance of 87 feet from where Mrs. McCargish had intended to park.

In addition to her parents, Nancy Jean is survived by two brothers and three sisters: Robert, Leonard, Janellen, Sarah and Jo Ann, and the grandparents.

The body is at the Robertson and Foglesong Funeral Home, Mullens. Arrangements are pending.

Charleston Daily Mail 10/26/1951

Brice Edward Higginbotham (1926-1951) WV

Brice Edward Higginbotham, 25, of Bloomingrose, Boone County, died yesterday at a Beckley hospital.

Surviving are his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Belcher of Bloomingrose; a brother, Hobart, with the Army in Germany; three sisters, Mrs. Ona Bishop of Clendenin, Mrs. Mildred Adkins and Miss Ivra Higginbotham of Bloomingrose; and four half-sisters, Mary, Sue, Wanda and Norma Jan, all at home.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Church of Christ at Bloomingrose with Evangelist Elmer Wood officiating. Burial will be in the Bloomingrose Cemetery under the direction of Hunter and Hunter Mortuary of Madison. The body will be taken to the home of Thomas Belcher tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Fairmont Times, Thursday 11/15/1951

Lawrence Higinbotham (1886-1951) WV

Lawrence Higinbotham, 65, died early yesterday morning in his home at 213 Murray Avenue, Bellview. He was born in Fairmont on January 19, 1886, a son of the late Leonard and Martha Higinbotham.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mona Lynch Higinbotham; two sons, John Higinbotham, Farmington, and Major William L. Higinbotham, stationed in Japan; three grandchildren, Paula, Nancy and Ann Higinbotham. Brothers and sisters are Mrs. Ida Jennings of Fairmont; Mrs. Louis Glasford of South Daytona, Fla.; Fred of Fairmont, and George of Morgantown.

He was a retired B&O conductor and a member of the Highland Avenue Methodist church.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon in the residence with the Rev. E. S. Wilson officiating. Burial will be made in Woodlawn cemetery. The body will be removed from the Jones Funeral home at 10:30 o’clock this morning and will be taken to the family home where friends may call.

Times-West Virginian, Sunday 01/06/1952

Mona Belle Lynch Higinbotham (1892-1952) WV

Headline: Mona L. Higinbotham Dies Yesterday at Emergency Hospital

Mrs. Mona Belle Lynch Higinbotham, of 513 Murray Ave., Bellview, died at 5 p.m. yesterday in Fairmont Emergency hospital, after suffering a stroke on a Bellview bus three hours earlier.

She was the widow of Lawrence Higinbotham who died on November 14, 1951. Mrs. Higinbotham was rushed to the hospital by the City Emergency car.

Born in Fairmont on July 10, 1892, she was the daughter of the late William Sanford Lynch and Dorcas Alice Brookover Lynch. Mrs. Higinbotham was a member of the Highland Avenue Methodist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the J. W. W. club.

She is survived by two children, John Higinbotham of Farmington and Major William L. Higinbotham, now serving with the armed forces in Japan; three brothers, Jesse J. Lynch, Leslie Stephen Lynch and Bernard Bee Lynch, all of Fairmont, and three grandchildren.

Mrs. Higinbotham will be taken from the R. C. Jones Funeral Home to her home at 3 p.m. today. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. E. S. Wilson officiating. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery.

Charleston Daily Mail, Friday 03/14/1952

Malinda Burgess Oldaker Higginbotham (1905-1952) WV

Last rites for Mrs. Lem Higginbotham, 47, of Grimms Landing, Mason County, who died yesterday at her home after a long illness, will be conducted Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Oma chapel with Rev. Homer Hicks officiating. Burial in the Tucker cemetery will be under the direction of Raynes Mortuary.

Surviving are her husband, Bud Higginbotham; two sons, Charles of Grimms Landing and John of Upper Sandusky, O.; a daughter, Mrs. Mary Tucker, and her mother, Mrs. Mary Oldaker, both of Grimms Landing; three brothers, Luther Oldaker of Charleston, Homer of Leon and Amerdee Oldaker of Buffalo, and four sisters, Mrs. Lula Jeffers of Athens, O., Mrs. Grace Whittington of Smithers, Mrs. Losie Paitt of Columbus, O. and Mrs. Velvie Tucker of Grimms Landing.

Charleston Daily Mail, Saturday 03/22/1952

Ezra Alva Higginbotham (1969-1952) WV

E. A. Higginbotham, 82, of Buffalo, Putnam County, died at his home yesterday after a short illness.

He was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 83 for 50 years.

Survivors: His widow, Lottie and a brother, Otho of Eleanor.

Services will be held tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in Buffalo Methodist Church with Rev. B. G. Duncan officiating. Burial will be in Buffalo Memorial Park under the direction of Raynes mortuary of Buffalo.

Charleston Daily Mail, Sunday 08/24/1952

Denver H. Higginbotham (1949-1952) WV

Denver Higginbotham, 3 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Higginbotham of Martin’s Branch, Charleston Rt. 4, died yesterday in a Charleston hospital.

Also surviving are one brother, Thomas, at home; two sisters, Janet and Wilma Jane, both at home; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hoy Jordan of Martin’s Branch, and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Higginbotham of Columbus, O.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the home with the Rev. Clarence Lanham officiating. Burial will be in Goff cemetery at Martin’s Branch, under direction of Cunningham mortuary. The body is at the home.

Charleston Daily Mail, Thursday 12/04/1952

Harry Orton Higginbotham (1889-1952) WV

Red House—Harry O. Higginbotham, 63, a Putnam county plumber, died of a heart attack yesterday while preparing to go on a rabbit hunt.

Mr. Higginbotham died at the home of a brother, Clyde, near Buffalo. He lived on Rt. 35 between Buffalo and Red House. He had arrived at his brother’s residence shortly before the attack.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Cross Creek church near Buffalo with the Rev. Wilbur Ray officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of the Raynes Funeral Home of Buffalo. The body will remain at the mortuary.

Survivors: A sister, Mrs. Mary Perry of Red House; six other brothers, B.L. and G.C., both of Charleston, C.B. of Big Chimney, B.M. of Red House, and K.E. and L.C., both of Buffalo.

Charleston Gazette 12/06/1952

Mary Estelle Worth Isabel Higginbotham (1885-1952)  WV African-American

Mrs. Mary E. Higginbotham, 67, of Rand, died yesterday at Boiarsky Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of Rand Baptist Church, the Willing Workers Club of Rand and the Rand Missionary Society.

Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Bess Taylor of Charleston, Mrs. Della Jones of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Katherine Smith of Kayford, Mrs. Ruby Sales and Mrs. Vivian Minor, both of Rand; seven sons, Woodrow of Washington, Charles of Seattle, Wash., Patrick of Charleston, and Dennis, Clarence, Roy and Kinkle, all of Rand; a sister, Mrs. Florence Hendricks of Prudence; three brothers, Fred and Patrick Isabel of Prudence, and Homer of Charleston; 30 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The body is at Harden and Harden Mortuary.

Mary E. Higginbotham – Service will be at 1:30 tomorrow in Rand Baptist Church with Rev. H. P. Woodson officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. The body will be taken from Harden and Harden mortuary to the home at 6 p.m. today and to the church an hour before service. Mrs. Higginbotham, 67, of Rand died Saturday in Boiarsky Memorial Hospital.

Charleston Daily Mail, Thursday 02/05/1953

Millard Francis Higginbotham (1876-1953) WV

Millard Francis Higginbotham, 76, of Notomine, on Cabin Creek, died yesterday in Kanawha Valley Hospital after a long illness.

Survivors: two daughters, Mrs. Macel Smith of Notomine, and Mrs. William Milam of Dry Branch; five sons, Hubert and Arlie of Notomine, Jesse Lee of Miami, William Bruce of Barberton, O., and Percy of Charleston; and two brothers, Samuel and Henry of Marion, Ind.

Services will be held Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Community church at United with the Rev. Mont Carr officiating. Burial will be in Notomine Cemetery under direction of Pryor mortuary of East Bank. The body is at the mortuary and will be taken to the home of a son, Hubert, at Notomine Friday at 4 p.m.

Charleston Gazette, Sunday 03/22/1953

Beatrice Elma Dial Higginbotham (1911-1953) WV

Beatrice Elma Dial Higginbotham, 42, wife of John Higginbotham of the firm of A. G. Higginbotham and Co., building contractors, died yesterday in McMillan Hospital after a long illness.

She was a native of Cabell County where she was born Jan. 25, 1911, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. William P. Dial, both of whom survive.

She was a member of the Church of Christ in Huntington.

Also surviving are a nephew, David Gerlach, whom she and Mr. Higginbotham raised; three sisters, Mrs. Carlyle Raper and Mrs. Kathleen Gerlach, both of Huntington, and Mrs. Jeff Stephens of Milton; and two brothers, William Dial of Huntington and Kyle of West Palm Beach, Fla.

The body is at Barlow-Bonsall mortuary chapel, where service will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Rev. Frank Donaldson, pastor of the First Christian Church will officiate. Interment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Charleston Daily Mail, Friday 05/01/1953

Myrita May Gullian Higginbotham (1878-1953) OH/WV

Service will be tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Harmon’s Creek church. The Rev. Lawrence Gibson will officiate and burial will be in King Cemetery under direction of Fred Cooke mortuary of Nitro. Mrs. Higginbotham, 77, died yesterday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Frank King, of Lanham. The body was to be taken to the residence of Mrs. King this afternoon.

Surviving are three other daughters: Mrs. Delbert Cobb of Page; Mrs. Ernest Withrow of Ward and Mrs. Clifford Landers of Nitro; two sons, Carl of Dunbar and William W. of North Page; and one brother, Charles Gullian of Charleston.

Morgantown Post, Friday 09/11/1953

George Dewey Higinbotham (1898-1953) WV

George Dewey Higinbotham, 55, died at 1 p.m. yesterday while working for Seneca Glass Co., where he was employed as a machinist.

He was a resident of 454 Wilson Ave. He was the son of the late Leonard and Martha Elizabeth Higinbotham.

Survivors include his wife, Susie Duskey Higinbotham; a brother, Fred R., of Fairmont, and two sisters, Mrs. Iva Jennings of Fairmont and Mrs. Robert Glassmord of Daytona Beach, Fla. Two brothers and two sisters are deceased.

He was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Fairmont, the Glassworkers Union in Fairmont and Woodsmen of the World Lodge 20.

The body is at the R. C. Jones Funeral Home in Fairmont where friends may visit after 1 p.m. Friday. Arrangements for services are incomplete.

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 09/12/1953

John Denton Higginbotham of 317 16th St., S.E., widely known Charleston contractor, was found dead in bed at his home at 8 a.m. yesterday. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

His body was discovered by his nephew, David Michael Garlach, whom he had reared.

Mrs. Higginbotham, the former Beatrice Dial, died March 20 of this year.

Mr. Higginbotham, 48, a native of Charleston, operated the A. G. Higginbotham Co., with his brother G. W. Higginbotham of Virginia St. E. Their offices were in the Charleston National Bank Bldg.

He was the son of Ambrose Grayson and Mary Frances Medley Higginbotham. He attended local public schools, West Virginia University, and Carnegie Institute of Technology.

Service will be 2 p.m. tomorrow in Barlow-Bonsall Mortuary Chapel. Dr. William E. Crane, pastor of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot in Spring Hill Cemetery. Charleston Lodge No. 153, AF&AM, will conduct graveside rites.

The Higginbotham construction company was organized in 1901 by Mr. Higginbothams father. it began operating as a partnership with the two sons in 1927 and after the father's death in 1943, the sons carried on.

The elder Higginbotham built Charleston's City Hall, Charleston High School, Chesapeake and Ohio Bldg. in Huntington, and several residences in the Charleston area.

Some of the current projects are the state office building on Washington St., additions to the Charleston National Bank building, Charleston General Hospital, the Embleton building on Quarrier St., and remodeling of the Dunbar bank building.

Other buildings which the company has constructed are additions to the Daniel Boone Hotel, and Montgomery Ward & Co., the Atlantic Greyhound Bus Company's garage and service building on Pennsylvania Av., B'nai Jacob Synagogue and Horace Mann School in Kanawha City.

Mr. Higginbotham was a member of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charleston Lodge No. 153, AF&AM, Beni Kedem Shrine, and was a 32d degree Mason.

Surviving besides his brother and nephew is a sister, Mrs. T. J. Riggs of Huntington.

Wetzel Democrat, Thursday 09/24/1953

Charles Pierpont Higginbotham (1891-1953) WV

Charles Pierpont Higginbotham, 127 Commercial Street, New Martinsville, died unexpectedly of a heart attack Sunday at 8:35 p.m. He was born in Wetzel County, December 25, 1891, a son of Albert and Anna Jane Mathews Higginbotham. A member of Elkins Lodge No. 333, Sistersville, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ida Detwyler Higginbotham three sons, Charles of Washington, D.C.; William and Robert of New Martinsville; a daughter, Mrs. Alberta Jacobus, Washington, D.C.; two brothers, A. G. Higginbotham, Jr., and Oscar E. Higginbotham, both of New Martinsville; and five grandchildren.

Friends were received at the Wharton-Ellis Funeral Home, where services were held Wednesday at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Rossing Smith. Interment in Northview Cemetery.

Charleston Gazette, Sunday 09/26/1953

Pearl Octavia Nelson Higginbotham (1884-1953)  WV African-American

Headline: Mrs. Higginbotham Is Dead at Age of 71

Mrs. Pearl Nelson Higginbotham, 71, widow of W. R. Higginbotham Sr., died early yesterday in her home at Rand after a long illness.

She had lived at Rand the past 31 years and was a member of First Baptist Church.

Surviving are three sons, John and W. R., both of Charleston and Frank of Rand; seven daughters, Mrs. Blanche Pollard of Yonkers, N.Y., Miss Grace Higginbotham of Stamford, Conn., Miss Helena Higginbotham of Columbus, O., Mrs. Phyllis Meadows of Montgomery, and Mrs. Lillian Cosby and Mrs. Doris Foy, both of Rand and Mrs. Viola Clark of Columbus, O.; three brothers, Alex Nelson of Rand, Robert of Bluefield and William of Columbus and 14 grandchildren.

The body is at Harden and Harden mortuary.

Charleston Daily Mail, Sunday 09/27/1953

Higginbotham, Mrs. Pearl Nelson—Funeral services will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Rand. The Rev. Oscar Moore will officiate. Burial will follow in Ward cemetery under direction of Hardin and Hardin mortuary.

Mrs. Higginbotham, 71, died Friday at her home in Rand after a long illness.

The body will be taken from the mortuary to the church an hour before service.

Charleston Daily Mail, Saturday 10/03/1953

Basil Higginbotham (1910-1953) WV

Basil Higginbotham, 43, of Poca, Putnam County, died yesterday afternoon of a cerebral hemorrhage in Charleston Memorial Hospital.

Surviving are his widow, Delma; three daughters, Janet and Betty Jo, both at home, and Mrs. Jacqueline Craigo, of Dunbar; two sons, Gerald and Bobbie, both at home; one brother, Otis, of Bownemont; three sisters, Mrs. R. C. Carte of South Charleston, Mrs. Clara McKemmy of Charleston and Mrs. Charles Casto of Ashford.

Services will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Oma Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hudson and the Rev. S. K. Buckelew officiating. Burial will be in Oma Chapel Cemetery with Gatens mortuary on Poca in charge.

The Buckhannon Record, Friday 12/11/1953

Virginia Day Higginbotham (1895-1953) WV

Headline: Miss Higginbotham Dies Following Long Illness

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Whitescarver-Rundio Funeral Home for Miss Virginia Day Higginbotham, 68, who died at her home on Kanawha Street at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

Miss Higginbotham had been in ill health for several years. She was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and the New England Conservatory of Music. At one time she taught music at St. Marys, Md.

She was born Sept 12, 1885, in Buckhannon, a daughter of the late Coleman Cabell and Ida Day Higginbotham.

Her only survivors include two sisters, Miss Lula Higginbotham and Mrs. Hugh McVeigh Matthews, both of Buckhannon, and a brother-in-law, J. Howard Richards, also of Buckhannon.

Officiating at the funeral service was the Rev. Stuart B. West, of Weston, minister in charge of the Buckhannon Episcopal Church. Burial was made in the Heavner Cemetery.

Clarksburg Exponent, Wednesday 03/03/1954

Charles Harry Higinbotham (1873-1954) WV

Headline: C. H. Higinbotham, Veteran Coal Official, Passes Away

Shinnston, March 2—Charles Harry Higinbotham, 81, resident of 73 Rebecca Street, died at his home at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday following a lingering illness. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in October, 1952 while on a hunting trip and he never fully recovered.

He was born in Fairmont, February 17, 1873, a son of Charles and Ellen Roach Higinbotham.

He was educated in the Fairmont public schools and attended Fairmont State College and George Washington University, of Washington, D. C.

He was associated with the Consolidated Coal Co. for 51 years. He started to work in the company store as a clerk and was then promoted to the production department as a mine clerk. He progressed to the various stages of management to superintendent. He was superintendent of the various Consolidated mines in the Harrison County area for over 40 years. At the time of his retirement, he was superintendent of the Consolidated mine at Owings.

He was active in civic and community affairs during his lifetime and he was an ardent sportsman, loving fishing and hunting. He was a member of St. John’s Lodge No. 24, A.F. and A.M., of Shinnston; was a past worshipful master of the lodge and member of the Shrine. He was president of the Northern W. Va. Coal Mining Institute; one-time president of the Clay District Board of Education, and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, being a first lieutenant of the W. Va. volunteers.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rose Randall Higinbotham, and a son, George Randall Higinbotham, of Fairmont, president of Pittsburgh Consolidated Coal Co., of W. Va.; two daughters, Mrs. Ellen Caroline Thorn, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Mrs. Margaret Ann Reed, of Houston, Tex., and four grandchildren.

Charleston Gazette 03/07/1954

Oscar Orval Higginbotham (1875-1954) WV

Hometown-Oscar (Ross) Higginbotham, 78, died at his home in this Putnam County community today following a long illness.

A retired farmer, Mr. Higginbotham was a life-long resident of Putnam County.

Surviving are the widow, Minnie; five sons, Alford of Concord, Va., Milford of Logan, O., Charles and Harold both of Dunbar, and Arnold of Hialeah, Fla.; four daughters, Mrs. Howard Whittington of Canal Winchester, O., Mrs. Herbert Reedy of Albany, O., Mrs. Neal Jeffers of Dexter, O., and Mrs. William Glassman of Bidwell, O.; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Allow of San Francisco and Mrs. Alma Kessel of Charleston; a brother, Ira, of Ontario, Calif.; 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Cross Creek United Brethren Church with the Rev. C. J. Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Buffalo Memorial Park with Raynes Mortuary of Buffalo in charge.

Williamson Daily News, Friday 04/30/1954

Milia J. Allison Higginbotham (1864-1954) WV

Mrs. Milia J. Higginbotham, 89, of War Eagle, died at her home yesterday of a heart condition, after a year’s illness.

She was born Nov. 24, 1964 at Wharncliffe.

Her husband, three sons, and two daughters preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, W. E. Higginbotham of Panther; a daughter, Mrs. M. K. McCormick of War Eagle; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Additional survivors include a sister, Mrs. Mary Ann Hatfield of Brookville, Fla., and a brother, Reeves Allison of Oregon.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the family cemetery at Wharncliffe. The body is at the Adams Funeral Home in Gilbert.

Charleston Daily Mail 06/12/1954

Cyntha Jane Page Higginbotham (ca1874-1954) WV

Mrs. Cyntha Jane Higginbotham, 80, died today at her home on Kelly's Creek following a long illness.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Norman of Charleston; five sons, Dale and Malcolm, both of Kelly's Creek, Dean of Nitro, Chester of Huntington and Luster, address unknown; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

The body is at Long, Johnson and Fisher Funeral home.

Fairmont Times, Thursday 07/15/1954

Thomas Jefferson Higinbotham (1881-1954) WV

Headline: T. J. Higinbotham Dies in Hospital

Thomas Jefferson Higinbotham, 73, who died Tuesday night in Fairmont General Hospital, will be taken today to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harlan Stiles of Cross Roads, near Fairview. Friends may call at the Stiles home after 3 o’clock this afternoon.

Rites will be held at 4 o’clock Friday afternoon in the Cross Roads Church with the Rev. Walter Kelly officiating.

Mr. Higinbotham resided at Cross Roads for 24 years. In late months, he had resided with a daughter, Mrs. Phyllis Smallwood, of Route 1, Watson.

Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Okey Fisher, Smithfield; Mrs. Harlan Stiles, Fairview; Mrs. Smallwood, Watson; Miss Lucy Higinbotham, Cross Roads; and Mrs. Maxine Mack, Hundred; three brothers, Lloyd, New York; William, Hastings; and Clark, of Smithfield. There are 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Currey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in the Wadestown Cemetery.

Fairmont Times, Saturday 09/18/1954

Helen Martha Higinbotham (1917-1954) WV

Miss Helen Martha Higinbotham, 37, of Route 1, Fairmont, died early yesterday morning in Fairmont General Hospital.

A daughter of Mrs. Kathleen Fleming Higinbotham and the late Frank Higinbotham, she was born March 29, 1917 and was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Washington Street. She was employed for several years by the Fairmont Hotel as a waitress, and was a granddaughter of Daniel and Hannah Fleming.

She is survived by her mother; one sister, Mrs. Maxine Grouch of Fairmont one nephew, Dick Grouch of Clarksburg; one great-nephew; two aunts, Mrs. John Smith and Mrs. Davenna Fleming, both of Route 1, Fairmont; two uncles, Glenn Fleming of Fairmont and Lester of Florida.

The body was removed to the Harr Funeral Home in Monongah where funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

Wetzel Democrat, Thursday 10/07/1954

Albert Carson Higginbotham (1889-1954) WV

Headline: Bert Higginbotham Dies Following Fall

Albert C. Higginbotham, Director of Wetzel County Department of Public Assistance, was fatally injured last Friday morning around nine o’clock in a fall, when the porch railing collapsed on the building adjoining the Court House which housed his offices.

Mr. Higginbotham had mounted the steps to the porch of the building when he paused to chat a moment with a friend and leaned against the banister. It gave way and he fell to a concrete walk below. Rushed to the Wetzel County Hospital, he died about 45 minutes later.

Bert Higginbotham was born at Big Run April 2, 1889, the son of Silas and Kate Wagner Higginbotham, and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jessie Stackpole Higginbotham, a daughter, Delores, two sisters, Mrs. Audra Cooper, Big Run; and Mrs. Maude Cutting, Akron, Ohio; two brothers, Francis, of Akron, and Lawrence Higginbotham of Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, October 4^th, in the Pine Grove Church of Christ, with interment in Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville, by the Palmer Funeral Home.

Charleston Daily Mail 10/25/1954

Agnes Emoline Duff Higginbotham McGrew (ca1899-1954) WV

Poca-Mrs. Agnes Emoline Higginbotham McGrew, 55, of Poca Rt. 1, died yesterday at home after an extended illness.

The body is at the Gatens Funeral Home at Poca.

Mrs. McGrew is survived by her husband, Franklin; a sister, Mrs. Viva Childers of Campbells Creek; and four brothers, Lester Duff of Mammoth, Allen Duff of Lanham, William Duff of Monarch and Gene Duff of Poca Rt. 1.

Charleston Gazette, Tuesday 01/18/1955

Victoria Ray Painter Higginbotham (1869-1955) WV

Higginbotham, Victoria (Ray)—85, of Liberty, Putnam County, died yesterday at her home after a long illness. She is survived by her husband, Perry. Service will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Emma Chapel Church. Rev. M. V. Fisher will conduct the service and burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be removed from Raynes mortuary of Buffalo to the home at 2 p.m. today.

Fairmont Times, Tuesday 04/05/1955

Ralph D. Higginbotham (1885-1955) WV

Ralph D. (Whitey) Higginbotham, 69, of Grandview Addition, Mannington, died suddenly in his home at 6:30 a.m. Monday. He was a retired employee of the Carnegie Gas Company.

Mr. Higginbotham was born June 18, 1885, at Route 1, Mannington, son of the late Lewis W. and Sarah V. Baker Higginbotham. He married the former Ocie Dora Clayton on May 13, 1913. Mrs. Higginbotham died October 22, 1946.

Surviving are three brothers, Lee and James, Mannington Route 1, and Heber of Wallace, Route 3; two sisters, Mrs. James Floyd and Mrs. Will Christy of Fairmont, and one half-sister, Mrs. Fred Straight of Mannington, Route 1. A sister, Mrs. Vinnie Hayes, is deceased. There are also several nieces and nephews surviving; and a sister-in-law, Miss Flora Lee Clayton, who made her home with the Higginbotham's.

Charleston Daily Mail, Friday 04/08/1955

Floyd William Higginbotham (1888-1955) WV

Buffalo—A farmer and lifelong resident of Southside, Mason County, Floyd Higginbotham, 66, died yesterday afternoon at his home after along illness.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. in Beech Hill Methodist Church near Southside with the Rev. Jack Finnigan officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery under the direction of Raynes Funeral Home of Buffalo.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Grace Cornell Higginbotham; six daughters, Miss Cora Higginbotham, Miss Linda Higginbotham, Mrs. Nellie Newell, all of Southside, Mrs. Zora Rawson of Middleport, O., Mrs. Maggie Shepherd of Henderson and Mrs. Dorothy Clonch of Gallipolis, O.; six sons, Ralph, Paul, Ray and Alvin, all of Southside, and John and Carol, both of Buffalo, and 23 grandchildren.

The body will be taken to the home tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Charleston Gazette, Thursday 08/04/1955

Contractor's Wife Taken

Dana Nedra Moore Higginbotham (1913-1955) WV

Mrs. Nedra Moore Higginbotham, 42, of 1613 Virginia St. E., died unexpectedly this morning at her home. She was the wife of G. W. Higginbotham, owner and operator of Higginbotham Construction Co., of Charleston.

She was a member of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Also surviving are a stepson, George W. Higginbotham Jr. at home; two sisters, Mrs. Adeteer Thibaut of Clarksburg and Mrs. John Jarrett of Charleston; four brothers, Paul, Jack, and Fred Moore of Charleston, and John Moore of New Castle, Del.

The body is at Simpson-Chandler Funeral Home.

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 08/06/1955

Mrs. Higginbotham Service Arranged

Service will be at 11 a.m. today in Simpson-Chandler mortuary chapel for Mrs. Nedra Moore Higginbotham, 42, who died Thursday of a heart attack at her home.

She was the wife of G. W. Higginbotham, owner and operator of the Higginbotham Construction Co., of Charleston.

Rev. Paul A. Chesney, minister of Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery.

She was a member of Ruffner Memorial Church.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a step-son, George W. Higginbotham Jr.; two sisters, Mrs. Ademen Thibaut of Clarksburg and Mrs. John Jarrett of Charleston; four brothers, Paul, Jack, and Fred Moore of Charleston and John Moore of New Castle, Del.

Clarksburg Exponent, Wednesday 10/26/1955

Amelia Ann Whiteman Higinbotham (1885-1955) WV

Shinnston--Amelia Ann Higinbotham, 70, of 1043 East Avenue, died at 9:15 p.m., Oct. 24, at her home following a short illness.

She was born May 6, 1885, at Wallace, a daughter of William M. and Elizabeth Jane McIntyre Whiteman. She was a widow of James W. Higinbotham.

Surviving are two sons, Clovis F., of Shinnston; William J., of Haywood; one brother, Russell E. Whiteman, of Akron, O.; one sister, Mrs. Lelia Blanche Rinehart, of Shinnston; three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Shinnston, and the Rebekah Lodge 47 of Shinnston and the Gold Star Mothers.

Fairmont Times, Thursday 10/27/1955

Anna Reffer Scott Higinbotham (1886-1955) WV

Mrs. Anna R. (Gypsy) Higinbotham, 69, of Fairview Road, Fairmont, Route 2, died at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday in Fairmont Emergency Hospital. She was born June 29, 1886, in Fairmont, a daughter of William P. and Isabel Work Scott. She was the wife of Curtis Higinbotham, who survives.

Her only son, Curtis Fay Higinbotham, died in Wheeling in 1937. Survivors include her husband, a grandson, Webb Fay Higinbotham, New York City; and a granddaughter, Miss Janet Ann Higinbotham, Wheeling; a brother, Floyd Scott, Peoria; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Kelly, Grafton; Mrs. Alice Marie Teschner, Flushing, Ohio; and Mrs. Willa Richardson, Valley Falls Road, Grafton.

She was a member of the Central Christian Church of Fairmont.

Fairmont Times, Friday 12/16/1955

Gertrude Rebecca McInturff Higginbotham (1913-1955) WV

Mrs. Gertrude McInturff Higgenbotham, 42, died at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday in Fairmont General Hospital after a long illness.

Survivors include her mother, Mrs. Nettie McInturff; her husband, Herbert C. Higgenbotham; a sister, Mrs. Lillian Parrish, Rachel; two sons by a former marriage, Jimmy and Tommy Wade; and her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Roupe.

She was educated in the Mannington schools and was a member of the Nazarene Church of Mannington.

Higgenbotham—Mrs. Gertrude McInturff, 42, died at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday in Fairmont General Hospital after a long illness. Friends may call at the W. F. Jones Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Mannington Nazarene Church with the Rev. Herbert O. Grimm officiating. The body will be taken to the church at noon to lie in state until the hour of the services. Burial will be in the Viewpoint Cemetery.

The West Virginia News, Thursday 12/29/1955

Sarah Ella Higginbotham (1912-1955) WV

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the First Church of God at White Sulphur Springs for Mrs. Sarah Ella Higgenbotham, 43, who died Thursday, Dec. 22, 1955, at the home of her parents near White Sulphur Springs. The Rev. M. E. Moore officiated and burial was in Hillcrest cemetery.

Charleston Daily Mail 03/02/1956

Louvina Holly Higginbotham Walton (ca1891-1956) WV

Mrs. Louvina Higginbotham Walton, 65, widow of John Walton, died today at the home of her stepson, John Walton Jr. of South Charleston, Rt. 7, after a long illness.

She was born at McCorkle, Lincoln County, and was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sons, James and Herbert Pauley of South Charleston, Rt. 7; one step daughter, Mrs. Ruth Parker of South Charleston, Rt. 7; one brother, Johnny Holly of Coal River; one sister, Mrs. Della Armstrong of McCorkle, and one grandchild.

The body is at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston.

Fairmont Times, Saturday 04/07/1956

Curtis L. Higinbotham (1886-1956) WV

Curtis L. Higinbotham, 69, of Route 2, Fairmont, died at 6:50 p.m. Thursday in a Phillipi hospital. He was a retired employee of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Co. and was a trainmaster at Grafton, Wheeling, Mt. Vernon, Ind., and Punxsutawney, Pa. He was last employed as chief rules examiner in Pittsburgh.

He was born Apr. 27, 1886, in Fairmont, son of Frank and Matilda Compton Higinbotham. His wife, the former Anna Scott, died a few months ago. A son died a few years ago.

Surviving are a brother, Fay E., Bridgeport; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mary Higinbotham of Wheeling, a grandson, Webb Fay of New York City and a granddaughter, Janet Ann of Wheeling.

Raleigh Register, Thursday 05/10/1956

Newton Warren Higginbotham (1893-1956) WV

Oak Hill (RNS)—Funeral services for Newton Warren Higginbotham, 62, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Tyree Funeral Home chapel by the Rev. Thomas Akester. Burial will follow in High Lawn Memorial Park.

Higginbotham died in a Beckley hospital at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday.

A retired miner, he was a resident of Third Avenue, Oak Hill. He was born at Thurmond Mountain May 15, 1893, a son of the late John and Mary Bennett Higginbotham.

Surviving are his widow, Rose Hinkle Higginbotham, Oak Hill; three sons, Arnett, Red Star; Billie, Oak Hill; and Jack, Wilmington, Dela.; four daughters, Mrs. Shirley Tidwell, Wilmington, Dela.; Mrs. Margie Richmond, Thurmond; Mrs. Vermont Berry, Layland; Mrs. Hilma Combs, Danese.

Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, one brother, Henry Higginbotham, MacArthur; four sisters, Mrs. Cynthia Harris, Quinwood; Mrs. W. M. Bowling, Bluefield; Mrs. Lewis Bailes, Charleston; Mrs. Brose Blofeld, Corliss.

The body will be taken to the residence at 5 p.m. today and returned to the funeral home one hour before the service.

Fairmont Times, Tuesday 06/05/1956

Jerry Marr Higginbotham (1872-1956) WV

Jerry Marr Higginbotham, 84, of Everson, died in the rest home at Worthington at 5 a.m. Monday following an illness of five years. He was born in Wetzel County, May 22, 1872.

Mr. Higginbotham was a retired coal miner and a member of UMWA Local No. 4031 of Francis Mines. He was a member of the Everson Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Anderson Higginbotham; three sons, George, Francis Mines; Willard, Worthington; Herbert H., Route 2, Shinnston; three daughters, Mrs. Arlie Bunnell, Loraine, Ohio; Mrs. Lester Long, Four States; Mrs. Dale Fullen, Route 2, Shinnston; two brothers, Haymond Higginbotham, Rivesville; Albert Higginbotham, Edna; three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Whitlatch, Farmington; Mrs. Elizabeth Shingleton, Fairmont; Mrs. James Hartzel, Route 2, Shinnston; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Higginbotham—Jerry Marr, 84, Everson, died at 5 a.m. Monday. Friends may call at the home of his son, Willard, Sandy Acres, after 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services will be held in the Everson Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Clyde Wright officiating. Burial will be in the Enterprise K. of P. Cemetery by the Ellis-Stacey Funeral Home of Shinnston.

Wetzel Democrat, Thursday 06/07/1956

Oscar Errington Higginbotham (1895-1956) WV

Oscar E. Higginbotham of New Martinsville, died suddenly yesterday at 5 a.m. He was born in Wetzel County, Oct. 19, 1895, a son of Albert G. and Jane Matthews Higginbotham. The deceased was a field supervisor of the Department of Employment Security; served in World War I and was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Loyal Order of Moose, No. 931. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Edith Guthrie Higginbotham, two sons, John of Vienna, W. Va., and Kenneth of Columbus; three grandchildren and a brother, A. C. Higginbotham of New Martinsville. Services will be held at the Iams Funeral Home Friday at 2 p.m. in charge of the Rev. W. Reece Burns. Military rites will be held by Marne Post No. 28, American Legion. Interment will be in Northview Cemetery, near New Martinsville.

Charleston Daily Mail 07/18/1956

Elbert Ellsworth Higginbotham (1881-1956) WV

Elbert Elsworth (Bert) Higginbotham, 74, of Nitro, retired steamboat captain and first mayor of Nitro, died early today at his home, 1512 Fifteenth St., of a heart attack.

"Cap'n Bert" was a colorful figure in the history of the Kanawha River and the days of steam boating, as well as in the affairs of Nitro.

He was retired merchant, a business he entered when he opened a grocery store in Nitro after his retirement from the river in 1918.

Mr. Higginbotham had campaigned for civic improvements in Nitro since the days the town was founded by the federal government in World War I. He was elected the town's first mayor after incorporation in 1932. He took an active part in the municipal election earlier this year, supporting the bid of Clarence Watts for mayor. "Cap'n Bert" was chairman of the Nitro Citizen's Committee.

He was under indictment for alleged infractions in the election last month, as an outgrowth of his vigorous activity directed toward defeating the incumbent mayor.

Born on a farm near Buffalo in Putnam County Aug. 25, 1882, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Higginbotham.

He saw his first steamboat when he was 8 years old and "decided then and there to become a captain on one of those fine boats." He began steam boating soon afterward as a "Mud clerk" on the old "Columbia", which ran between Gallipolis and Charleston. He often explained the a "mud clerk" was the boy who helped the passengers on and off the boat at the gangplank.

He became a captain on the Gordon Greene line, and was first captain of the "Chris Greene", then the pride of the Greene line.

He was a member of the Methodist church and of the Buffalo Masonic Lodge.

Surviving are the widow, Rebecca; a daughter, Mrs. Gene Cochran of Nitro; a son, Clayton of Cleveland; two sisters, Mrs. Virgil Hern of Oceola, Ohio, and Mrs. Elmer Craig of Huntington, and two grandchildren.

The body is at Fred Cooke and Son Funeral Home.

Bluefield Daily Times, Friday 08/17/1956

Thomas Jefferson Higginbotham Sr. (1882-1956) WV

Thomas Higginbotham, 74, prominent Princeton man and father of Miss Ruby Higginbotham died late last night in the Memorial Hospital in Princeton.

He made his residence at 203 Thorn St. He was a retired employee of the Virginian Railway operating at Princeton.

He is survived by his wife, Macie Higginbotham, two daughters, Melrose and Ruby Nile, two sons, William and T. J. Higginbotham Jr.

He was the uncle of Dr. Upshur Higginbotham at St. Lukes Hospital.

Charleston Gazette, Saturday 08/18/1956

Silas Park Higginbotham (1874-1956) WV

Higginbotham, S. Park—82, of Sissonville, died Thursday at his home. Mr. Higginbotham was a retired farmer and had been a schoolteacher in Kanawha County for 40 years. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Willa Higginbotham; two sons, Zally O. and Herbert A. (Tom), both of Sissonville; two brothers, Perry of Sissonville and Cecil M. of Dunbar; four sisters, Mary Higginbotham and Mrs. Leslie Carney, both of Sissonville, and Mrs. Cannie Summers and Mrs. Loula Summers, both of Charleston; and 11 grandchildren. The body is at Raynes mortuary in Buffalo and will be taken at 10 a.m. today to the home.