Henry J. Wiggins

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: CORNWALL, DE LONG, DRUM, EBERT, EGGLESTON, HAYNES, HOSLER, KOCH, MURLETT, SHERRICK, STOUGHTON, VAN DYKE, WIGGINS

Mr. Wiggins is a native of Ohio, and was born Feb. 9. 1840.  His parents, also natives of that State, were in possession of one of the finest farms in Hocking County, and were by name:  Zedekiah D. and Lucinda (HAYNES) WIGGINS, of German and English ancestry.  His father, who was born June 21, 1816, died in his native county in about 1877.  The mother was born April 16, 1816, and passed to the other life before the death of her husband, her decease occurring in September, 1862.  She was a lady of many excellent qualities, and a member of the German Reformed Church.  Zedekiah D. Wiggins was a stanch Whig, politically, during his early life, but after the abandonment of the old party cast his lot with the Republicans.  The parental household included twelve children, seven sons and five daughters:  George W., married Miss Caroline EBERT; Julia A. is the wife of Jess HOSLER; Henry J., of our sketch, was the third child; Jacob H. died when five years of age; Margaret E. married Mr. F. W. HAYNES; Ferdelia married Elijah DE LONG; Minerva became the wife of W. S. KOCH; Susan is unmarried; Obed N. married Miss Laura VAN DYKE; Dumah died when twenty-four years old; Edmund S. is married; Jerome died when three years of age.  These were the children of the first wife.  After her death Mr. Wiggins was married to Miss Mary L. SHERRICK, and of this marriage there were born three children:  Mary, now the wife of Lewis DRUM; Thomas, who married Miss Martha MURLETT, and Christopher H., unmarried.

Henry J. Wiggins came to Illinois in 1878, and at once located in Homer Township, this county, were he purchased 240 acres of land.  He immediately began making improvements, among which was the erection of his fine brick dwelling which was put up in 1879.  This comprises two stories and a basement, is 40 x 40 feet in area, and furnished with all modern conveniences.  Mr. Wiggins was recognized as a valuable addition to the intelligence and thrift of this region, and two years after his arrival here was elected to represent his township on the Board of Supervisors, which office he held for five years continuously, and was re-elected in the spring of 1886 and 1887.  The duties of this office he has discharged to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.  He has always taken an active interest in the enterprises set on foot to promote the general welfare, and has been the leader in many important measures.  He is one of the Directors of the First National Bank in Homer, and also serving as Vice President.  This institution was established on the 12^th of May, 1883, with a capital of $150,000, and its reputation to-day is largely due to the good judgment and wise counsel of Mr. Wiggins in the conduct of its affairs, and the caution with which its management has been distinguished.

After the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Wiggins enlisted in the 12^th Ohio Cavalry in 1863, his regiment being assigned to the 13^th Army Corps, but he was subsequently transferred as Second Lieutenant to the 14^th United States Infantry, a regiment of colored troops stationed around Richmond and Petersburg.  In the engagement at Mt. Sterling Lieut. Wiggins was wounded in the neck, although not seriously, and continued in the service until after the close of the war, being mustered out Oct. 13, 1866, as First Lieutenant and Adjutant, at Ringgold Barracks in Texas.  After retiring from the army he returned to his native State and engaged in farming, removing thence in 1878.

While in Ohio Mr. Wiggins was united in marriage with Miss Rosalie L. EGGLESTON, their wedding taking place Dec. 31, 1867.  Mrs. W, was born in Vinton County, Ohio, May 21, 1847, and is the daughter of Seth C. and Lucinda (CORNWELL) EGGLESTON, the former a native of New York and the latter of Canada.  Seth Eggleston was born in 1816, and is still living, being a resident of Vinton County, Ohio.  He has followed farming and mercantile business all his life, and is a highly respected citizen, Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, having held the office of Deacon for many years.  The mother, born in 119, died in Ohio in 1849.  The parental household included four children, three now living:  George B., who married Miss Amanda STOUGHTON; Lovina is single, and Rosalie L. the wife of our subject; the other child died in infancy.  After the death of his first wife Mr. Eggleston was married to Miss Susan HAYNES, and of this union there were born two children, Watson and Julia.  This lady died after a few years, and Mr. Eggleston contracted a third marriage, with Miss Jane Fry.  Of this union there were born three children, viz., Jeremiah, Clara and James G.  Mr. and Mrs. W. became the parents of four children, three now living—Pearl E., Charles B. and Nellie L.  Henry died when six months old.

The homestead of our subject and his family is viewed with admiration by the passing traveler.  The hand of taste is visible on every side in the vicinity of the residence, and the broad, smiling fields which stretch away in rich grain and pasture during the summer season are a sight extremely pleasant to the eye.  When leaving his farm to exercise the right of a free-born American citizen at the polls, Mr. Wiggans usually supports the Republican candidate, and in religious matters holds to the doctrines of the Methodist Church, in which he has held the office of Trustee.