Frank Wayland Higgins (August 18, 1856February 12, 1907) was an American politician who served as the 35th governor of New York.

Early life

Higgins was born in Rushford, New York, on August 18, 1856. He was the son of Orrin Thrall Higgins (1826–1890) and Lucia Cornelia (née Hapgood) Higgins (1831–1868). Given the first name "Francis" at birth, he called himself "Frank" from an early age. His elder sister was Clara Alzina Hapgood Higgins, who later married Frank Sullivan Smith, one time head of the Shawmut Railroad. His father, a descendant of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower, 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. Higgins was the successful Republican nominee for governor in 1904, and he served one term from January 1905 to December 1906. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Charles Evans Hughes (who later became the U.S. Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the United States).

Higgins was in ill health at the end of his term and died just six weeks after leaving office. In his obituary in The New York Times, it was said:

<blockquote>The illness of ex-Gov. Higgins covers practically the whole of his administration of two years. His health was not robust when he was nominated for Governor in 1904, and it is but chronicling the truth to say that the campaign taxed him greatly. Following his election he was able to rest up, and for a time he felt better than in months. On assuming office, however, the cares of the Governorship wore on him and each month increased the pressure.

  • Josephine Bell Higgins, who married Émile Lucien Hovelaque, the Inspector General of Public Instruction in France, in 1911.
  • Frank Harrison Higgins (1886–1937).
  • Clarence Noble Higgins (1890–1890), who died in infancy of Cholera Infantum.

Among Higgins closest friends was Olean Mayor Nicholas Van Vranken Franchot, who served as the New York State Superintendent of Public Works during Higgins administration. After an Episcopal burial service read at his residence, he was buried at Mount View Cemetery in Olean. President and Mrs. Roosevelt sent flowers, as did Governor Hughes and many other prominent people. His wife died at the Higgins residence, 128 South Street in Olean, in May 1929.

Legacy

Higgins official portrait as Governor of New York was painted by Buffalo, New York, native, Eugene Speicher.

A biography of Higgins, Frank Wayland Higgins: New York's Forgotten Governor, was authored by William Gabler in 2002.

References

  • Gov. Frank W. Higgins at the New York State Archives.
  • Political papers of Frank Wayland Higgins at the New York State Archives.