John Woodman Higgins, American steel executive. Recipient Bar with silver star National Boys Clubs American.
Background
John Woodman Higgins was born to Milton Prince Higgins (December 7, 1842 - March 8, 1912) and Katharine Elizabeth (Chaplin) Higgins. He was poor in spelling and languages but shared his father"s natural talent and interest in mathematics and mechanics.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Worcester Poly Institute, 1896, Doctor of Engineering (honorary), 1953.
Career
December 11, 1847 - January 9, 1925) Except for one year in Atlanta, John Higgins was schooled in Worcester. He also possessed a fascination with metalworking and spent many hours observing blacksmiths, farmers and factory workers at work. Like many of his contemporaries, he was also enchanted by the chivalric tales of knights, a common literary theme at the time.
After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute he joined the Plunger Elevator Company with his father.
When the company was sold, the two men purchased the Worcester Ferrule and Manufacturing Company, reorganizing it in 1905 as Worcester Pressed Steel Company. Higgins traveled many times to Europe.
He had purchased some copies of armor but in 1928 he purchased a group of armors from Sir Joseph Duveen. This was his first truly significant acquisition and was followed by several equally important purchases during the next decade.
He now realized he needed somewhere to house his collection.
In 1928 he started work on a building next to the Worcester Pressed Steel Company. lieutenant was finished in 1931 at a cost of $300,000. lieutenant became the Higgins Armory Museum, which was the largest museum in the United States solely devoted to armor.
He was elected president of the Worcester Economic Club in 1935.
Higgins was married to Clara Louise Carter (July 2, 1882 – March 2, 1972) and they had three children: Carter Chapin Higgins. Bradley Carter Higgins and Mary Louise Carter Higgins.
Clara Louise was born in Saint Louis County, Missouri, and died in Worcester County, Massachusetts. She is buried in Rural Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Carter Chapin (October 15, 1914 - July 30, 1964) succeeded John Woodman Higgins as president of Worcester Pressed Steel in 1949 and served as president until his death.
After her brother"s death she served briefly as president and chairman of Worcester Pressed Steel. She is buried in Rural Cemetery. (Worcester, Massachusetts).
(Worcester, Massachusetts).
Achievements
Membership
Member American Society Automotive Engineers, American Society M. East., Institute Coimbra (Portugal, honorary), Junta de Estudios Historicos de San Jose (Buenos Aires, honorary), Royal Academy Fine Arts (Malaga, honorary), Royal Academy History Sciences (honorary), Royal Academy Science (Cordoba, honorary), Societe des Amis de Musee de l’Armee, American Antiquarian Society, American Association Museums, American Federation Arts, American Iron and Steel Institute, American Ornance Association, Associate Industries of Massachusetts (past vice president), National Association Manufacturers, National Metal Trades Association (past vice president), Descendants of Order of Knights of Garter, Governor Massachusetts Bay in New England, New England History Genealogical Association, Sons of the American Revolution, Society Mayflower Descendants, Society for Preservation New England Antiquities, Metropolitan Museum Art, Worcester Art Museum (corporator), Worcester Natural History Society, Chamber of Commerce, London Society Arms and Armour, Newcomen Society England (vice chairman New England committee, director), Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Clubs: Armor and Arms, Engineers, River (New York C.).
Connections
Married Clara L. Carter, 1906. Children: Carter C, Bradley C., Mary Louise (Mistress Charles Wilding White).
Father:
Milton Prince Higgins
Mother:
Katharine (Chapin) Higgins
Spouse:
Clara L. Carter
child:
Carter C. Higgins
child:
Bradley C. Higgins
child:
Mary Louise Higgins (Mistress Charles Wilding White)