David W. Higby

David W. Higby, superintendent of the Allen County
Children's Home for the past seven years, was born in Hardin County,
Ohio, July 25, 1854, son of Elisha and Rebecca (Priest) Higby. His
father was born in Canada but came to Columbus, Ohio, where he was
married. Afterwards he located in Hardin County where he and his wife
died. Their family consisted of four children, viz.: Mattie, who
carried George Woods and now resides in Toledo; David W. ; Joseph,
deceased; and Lydia, who married Richard Walker and lived in Hardin
County until her death.
David W. Higby became a carpenter and worked at that occupation in
his native county until his 24th year, when he came to Allen County.
Locating in Harrod, he worked as a mill-wright and also conducted the
Central House there until 1899. Having been appointed by the Board of
Directors as superintendent of the Allen County Children's Home, he took
up his duties at once and has discharged them in a manner to win the
hearty commendation of all. The home has been in active operation which
Allen County may well feel proud furnishing, as it does, temporary care
and shelter for hundreds of homeless children until the management can
place them in a permanent homes. Eighty-two little ones are now being
cared for in the institution. They will be placed with families where
they will be given parental love and reared to lives of usefulness and
honor. It would be impossible to give an estimate of the good that is
done in thus caring for children, many of whom would otherwise grow up
on ignorance, poverty and vice. The farm belonging to the home has
about 152 1/2 acres of land and this with the work about the building
which is a fine brick edifice, requires the employment of at least 10
persons. Mr. Higby has been in charge since the sixth year after it
opened. He has everything in the most perfect working order and at the
same time keeps the expense within reasonable limits.
Mr. Higby was married in 1878 to May Eubanks, a native of this
county and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Darby) Eubanks. Mrs. Eubanks
was twice married, her second husband being Enoch Harvey. Two children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Higby, namely: Maude, born December 23,
1880, who is the wife of Cliff Breese; and Blanche, born Febuary 23,
1885. Mr. Higby is a Democrat but dose not take a active part in
politics. He is a member of Lima Lodge, No. 91, Knights of Pythias
Lodge, and is a man who will ever be found true to his friends.