John Woodman Higgins - Early & Personal Life

Early & Personal Life

John Woodman Higgins was born to Milton Prince Higgins (December 7, 1842 - March 8, 1912) and Katharine Elizabeth (Chaplin) Higgins. (December 11, 1847 - January 9, 1925) Except for one year in Atlanta, John Higgins was schooled in Worcester. He was poor in spelling and languages but shared his father's natural talent and interest in mathematics and mechanics. He also possessed a fascination with metalworking and spent many hours observing blacksmiths, farmers and factory workers at work. Like many of his contemporaries, he was also enchanted by the chivalric tales of knights, a common literary theme at the time. After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute he joined the Plunger Elevator Company with his father. When the company was sold, the two men purchased the Worcester Ferrule and Manufacturing Company, reorganizing it in 1905 as Worcester Pressed Steel Company. When his father died in 1912, John Higgins became president and treasurer, positions he held until 1950 when his oldest son took over. He travelled many times to Europe. He had purchased some copies of armor but in 1928 he purchased a group of armors from Sir Joseph Duveen. This was his first truly significant acquisition and was followed by several equally important purchases during the next decade. He now realized he needed somewhere to house his collection. In 1928 he started work on a building next to the Worcester Pressed Steel Company. It was finished in 1931 at a cost of $300,000.00. It became the Higgins Armory Museum, which is the largest museum in the United States solely devoted to armor.

Higgins was married to Clara Louise Carter (July 2, 1882 – March 2, 1972) and had one child, Mary Louise. Clara Louise was born in Saint Louis County, Missouri and died in Worcester County, Massachusetts. She is buried in Rural Cemetery. (Worcester, Massachusetts) Mary Louise (May 8, 1919 – December 18, 2007) later served as President for her fathers armory for a number of years. She was also the President and Chairman of the Board of Worcester Pressed Steel. She is buried in Rural Cemetery. (Worcester, Massachusetts)