Henry J. Wiggins

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois," by J. O. Cunningham, 1905

SURNAMES: EGGLESTON, HAYNES, WIGGINS

HENRY J. WIGGINS, banker of Homer, Champaign County, Ill., was born in Hocking County, Ohio, February 9, 1840, and received his mental training in the public schools.  On the paternal side, he is of English ancestry.  His father, Zedekiah D. WIGGINS, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1816.  His mother, formerly Lucinda HAYNES, was a native of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Wiggins was reared to hard work and simple living on his fathers farm.  He responded to the call of his country during the Civil War, enlisting, in September, 1862, in September 1862, in Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from which he soon after was discharged on account of illness contracted in the service.  Recovering his heath he reenlisted in August 1863, in company M, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry,, serving until July 4, 1864, when he was made organizer of colored troops at Camp Nelson, Ky.  Assigned to Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry as Second Lieutenant, he was later promoted to be First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the regiment.  As such he served until his honorable discharge, October 13, 1866.  He afterwards went to Mexico, and subsequently returned to his fathers farm.

On December 31, 1867, Mr. Wiggins married miss Rosalie L. EGGLESTON, of Hocking County, Ohio, and of this union three children have been born, namely:  Pearly E., Charles B., and Nellie R.

Mr. Wiggins came to Champaign County in 1878, and was successfully engaged in farming.  In 1882 he turned his attention to banking in Homer.  He has the ability and inclination for public affairs, and has filled important offices, as a Republican.  Fraternally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.