Biography - Edward Higbee
Among the prominent and well known physicians of Roodhouse and Central Illinois is Dr. Edward H. Higbee, than whom none have been more successful. Dr. Higbee was born in White Hall, Illinois, July 19, 1847, and is the son of Samuel and Sarah A. (Smith) Higbee. The former died several years ago, but the latter is still living and is one among the oldest inhabitants of Greene County, if not the oldest. When the subject of our sketch was in his teens he decided to enter the medical profession and commenced by working in a drug store for Dr. Israel, and also for Worcester & Vedder at White Hall, remaining with the two firms about a year. At the age of 18 years he entered the medical department of Michigan University at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before he completed his second term, that of ’66-7, he was taken sick with diphtheria and had to come home. He did not return to Ann Arbor, but instead went to New York City where he attended the summer session of lectures at Bellevue Hospital.
After practicing medicine for three years in New York, he came West and located in his home town of White Hall, where he practiced for eight years. In 1879 he came to Roodhouse and practiced until 1883, when he decided to attend school again. He graduated at the Missouri Medical School in St. Louis in 1884, and after graduation was appointed resident physician to the Post Graduate School of Medicine, which position he held two years. He then returned to New York, but his health being bad, he decided to return to Roodhouse, where he has remained ever since.
Dr. Higbee has been unusually successful wherever he has located and is a physician of more than average ability. He has held the office of local surgeon tfor the Chicago and Alton Railway at this place for the past 18 years. The doctor has always made the eye one of his special studies, and for several years he has made weekly visits to the hospitals of St. Louis for the purpose of more thoroughly informing himself on this subject. He is now making a specialty of diseases of the eye and the proper fitting of glasses.
September 14, 1869, he was married to Miss Anna E. Taylor, a native of New York City. To them have been born three children, Anita, wife of Wm. Maddren, Dr. Edward H. Fr., and A. S., all residents of St. Louis.
Dr. Higbee enjoys a select and lucrative practice, has a well appointed office, a cozy little home on Palm Street and can afford to take life easy. In politics he is a Republican. Has served his ward in the City Council for two terms, from 1890 to 19894, and is a charter member of E. M. Husted Lodge No. 796, A. F & A. M., and also member of Worcester Lodge No. 113, K. of P.
Transcribed 25 Oct 2006 by Linda Jones Craig from Souvenir of Roodhouse, 1897.
