Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 7th ed., 1887, Kenton Co. ORVILLE JAMES WIGGINS was born in Covington, Ky., October 22, 1853, and is a son of O. B. and Rachel (Adams) Wiggins, natives of Vermont and Kentucky, respectively. His maternal ancestor, James Adams, was one of the pioneers of Covington, a land surveyor and teacher noted for his immense strength. He taught school in a log schoolhouse, on the spot where the courthouse now stands, and many anecdotes are yet told of his eccentricities. Mr. Wiggins' ancestors on his father's side were of old English stock, and came to this country originally with land grants bestowed for distinguished services under the English Government. Orville James Wiggins received his education in the public schools of Cincinnati, and after a three years' course at Hughes High School gave up his studies because of failing health from too close application. He was one of the four letter carriers first appointed in Covington and filled that position for several years, doing considerable literary work in his leisure moments for magazines and newspapers. A taste for this kind of work led him to embark in the newspaper business, as the Covington representative of the Cincinnati Times. He was afterward connected with other Cincinnati dailies, and was lastly city editor of the Covington Commonwealth, resigning that position to act as clerk of the school board, to which place he had been chosen to fill the unexpired term of his father, Mr. O. B. Wiggins, who died while acting in that capacity, and who had been clerk of the board for several years. Orville J. Wiggins was elected several succeeding terms as clerk. While clerk he was elected by the council to fill an unexpired term as city collector, and the following January was chosen by the people for a two years' term in the same office. Before his time expired Mr. Wiggins purchased an interest in the prosperous fire insurance firm of Hardin & Dulaney, and retired from public position. He had previously, however, acted as deputy clerk of the circuit and chancery courts. Mr. Wiggins is now in the insurance business, representing standard old line companies under the firm name of Wiggins & Law, and is noted for his sterling business qualities, his genial popular disposition, and his untiring energy and application in whatever he undertakes. He is a member of the Cincinnati stock exchange, composed of bankers and brokers, which membership is limited to twenty. He is also a member of the Cincinnati chamber of commerce. He married, in 1882, Miss Laura Raine Alexander, daughter of Hon. Charlton Alexander of Paris, Ky., and has one child--John Swiney Wiggins. Mr. Wiggins is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and a liberal contributor to charity. His tastes run to literary pursuits, and he is an ardent collector of data pertaining to the early history of his native place. He has compiled a history of Covington that is of great value, preserving, as it does, many important facts that would have passed entirely into oblivion except for his care and attention. Wiggins Adams Alexander Hardin Dulaney Law = Paris-Bourbon-KY VT OH http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/kenton/wiggins.oj.txt