Background
Higgins was born in Rushford, New York on August 18, 1856, the son of Orrin Thrall and Lucia Cornelia Higgins.
Higgins was born in Rushford, New York on August 18, 1856, the son of Orrin Thrall and Lucia Cornelia Higgins.
Frank Higgins attended Rushford Academy and then Riverview Academy, a military school in Peekskill, New York, from which he graduated in 1873.
Given the first name "Francis" at birth", he called himself "Frank" from an early age. Higgins" father was a successful merchant who owned a chain of grocery stores in Olean, New York and held mining and timber tracts in Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota. He then attended a commercial college in Binghamton, New New York
After completing his education Higgins worked as a sales agent for an oil company in Detroit and Chicago, and then became a partner in the Stanton, Michigan mercantile firm of Wood, Thayer, and Company.
In 1879 Higgins returned to New York and became a partner in his father"s business. He was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention.
In 1894 Higgins was elected to the New York Senate, and he served for eight years, sitting in the 117th, 118th (both 32nd Doctorate), 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd, 123rd, 124th and 125th New York State Legislatures (all seven 50th Doctorate). In 1902 Higgins was the successful Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, and he served one term, 1903-1904.
Higgins was the successful Republican nominee for governor in 1904, and he served one term, 1905-1906.
Higgins was in ill health when he left office, and he died of heart disease in Olean on February 12, 1907, just six weeks after leaving office. Higgins was buried at Mount View Cemetery in Olean.