George Joseph Higgins, "Duke of Edgewood"
1865-1931
"I'm a rich man, but - I need my job as a station agent!"
Banker, theater owner, prominent in politics, and a railway agent for 40 years.
Banker, theater owner, prominent in politics, and a railway agent for 40 years.
Also instrumental in bringing the silk mill to Shamokin.
There were several Majestic theaters in Shamokin - the first existing prior to 1909. In 1910 it was purchased by George Joseph Higgins, who within 2 weeks of purchasing was informed the theater could not meet state regulations.
So he built a new theater.
Higgins would go on to own Majestic Theaters in several towns. George Higgins was a wealthy man - who never gave up his job as a railroad station agent.
In 1928, American Illustrated Magazine ran a 6 page article titled "I'm a rich man, but - I need my job as a station agent!" It's a charming interview with Higgins about his business dealings. (I included scans of the article, at the bottom of this post.)
Recently, while working on something unrelated, I realized that an earlier post on my blog was also about Higgins - and his time in Allenwood Pa.
George J. Higgins died September 7th 1931. His obituary, which ran in two parts, took up 6 columns on two different pages of the Shamokin News Dispatch.
USEFUL LIFE ENDED
George J. Higgins, who succumbed yesterday, had in fifty-two years of service as an employee of the Reading Railway company, ascended from messenger boy to company representatives here, where he served for forty successive years. A man of great personal magnetism and popularity , he had contributed to the community a powerful influence in a constructive way toward the Greater Shamokin which has been the ambition of every loyal resident. His one of the town's most familiar figures and his activities have left a lasting monument in the memory of everyone, his death being mourned by men, women and children alike and who unite in their sympathy to the grieving family.
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The full, longer, obituary is on down below.
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Obituary For George J Higgins
LONG ILLNESS IS FATAL FOR GEO: HIGGINS
Veteran Reading Station Agent, Outstanding Citizen and Champion of a Greater Shamokin, Succumbs After Valiant Battle to Regain Health- -Brilliant Career
George J. Higgins, outstanding citizen and champion of a Greater Shamokin, veteran employee of the Reading Railway company and agent for that company here for more than forty years, banker, theatre owner and prominent in politics, died at the family residence, 1610 West Arch street, at 8 yesterday morning from a complication of diseases, his death coming as a shock to the community as a whole and at a time when it was believed by friends that the popular 'Duke of Edgewood,' as Mr. Higgins was familiarly known was recuperating from a protracted illness. News of the demise of Mr. Higgins spread quickly thruout this locality in which he had been such an eminent citizen, and during yesterday was the subject of subdued conversation among grieving neighbors, friends and employees.
A sufferer from diabetes for the past several years and for which he had been receiving treatment at the hands of the family physician and specialists, Mr Higgins' illness did ot become acute until early in May, when he was advised to enter the Dr. Pierce Hospital, Buffalo, N. Y., for treatment. entered that institution on May 18th and for more than three months had been under the care of the eminent specialist. Submitting to a major operation, the widely known man of diversified interests enjoyed slow but steady progress and on Wednesday two weeks had sufficiently regained his ago health and strength to permit his return home.
He arrived in fine spirits and apparently greatly improved health and at once began to take up the threads of his business activities where he had left them almost four months ago. For two days Mr. Higgins moved with alacrity in concentrating his attention to important business matters, welcomed solicitous friends to his home and rejoiced in reunion with his family circle.
But the improvement was of brief duration. Last Friday night a week ago, Mr. Higgins was stricken with a severe chill and a heart complication, the combined unexpected attacks early manifesting a serious change for the worse in his condition. Physicians were called into consultation and quickly recognized an acute kidney affliction. Two trained nurses were summoned and joined with a devoted wife and family in administering to the critically ill patient. Heroic treatments for a time brought some relief but over the past week-end Mr. Higgins steadily lost strength and early yesterday morning passed into a peaceful last sleep, while grieving members family were gathered at the bedside.
George Joseph, son of John F. and Margaret E. (Franey) Higgins was born at Tamaqua, July 26, 1865. Early in boyhood he removed with his parents to Shenandoah where the family became one of the best known in that town and where the son, George, received his early education in the parochial and public schools.
George J. Higgins began his railroad career on February 1st, 1879 as a messenger boy under the office of chief clerk, ticket agent and telegrapher at the Shenandoah station of the Reading Company. As a messenger boy at the telegraph office in the business section of Shenandoah, the embryo telegrapher and future company agent had the distinction on July 2, 18811 of broadcasting by word of mouth to the people Shenandoah the assassination of President James A. Garfield by Charles Gateau.
Having acquired a broad and thoro knowledge of railroad work, Mr. Higgins transferred in 1883 to scale clerk, ticket agent and telegrapher at Frackville where he remained until 1886 when he was sent to Cressona as chief clerk to W. H. Keffer, then agent and who subsequently became general superintendent of the Reading Company. A short time later he was made chief clerk and operator at the company's station in his home town of Shenandoah and where he remained until 1888 when he was directed to report as agent at Locust Gap. As he alighted from the train to assume what was to have been first official post under the big railroad company, a messenger handed him a telegram from Superintendent Lawer directing him to return to Shenandoah. In October, 1888, he was transferred to the agency at Allenwood where he continued until May of 1891 when he was appointed agent at Locust Gap. Already recognized as a valuable employee, Mr Higgins served as agent at Locust Gap but a short served time for on June 1, the same year, he was made general agent at the local station and continued in that capacity, as well as express agent, to the time of his death.
Thruout his fifty-two years of service, George Higgins came to win the confidence of every official and employee of the company with whom he came in contact. It was always said of him that his influence with officials, with many of whom he had toiled as telegrapher and in other capacities and thus counted them among his closest personal friends, was greater than that of any other man in the company's employ. His knowledge of railroad work, his keen observance of business possibilities and conditions, made him a valuable employee and he was oft times called into conference with the executives to assist in solving important freight and other railroading problems. Seldom did any high official of the Reading pass thru Shamokin| without first telegraphing telephoning Mr. Higgins of the hour of his arrival and at these meetings he always cordially welcomed and was times taken on inspection tours to advance recommendations for improvements in service.
As the head of passenger, freight and express service Mr Higgins was the company's representative in the employment of large numbers of men and over whom he had jurisdiction. To each of these he imbued the spirit of loyalty and in return for co-operation, many won continued advancement as long as railroad work permitted and several of the present employees have as high as thirty years of service under his direction| and came to look upon Mr. Higgins as their most loyal friend.
On December 11, 1929, highest officials of the Reading Railway company came to this city to attend a meeting of the Reading Club and at Which time Mr. Higgins celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his service with the corporation. He was highly praised by General Superintendent W. B. Fisher and Division Superintendent A. J. Farrell, with both of whom he had served as telegrapher in earlier days, as one of the company's most valued and highly respected employees.
Both officials recounted that while entitled to the privileges of retirement, Mr. Higgins had continued his activities because of his interest in the success of the company in a commercial way and to maintain his close contact with his many railroad and other friends with whom he had daily contact while in health.
The high position thus occupied by George J. Higgins made him a man of influence in Shamokin and Coal Township. His interests became widely diversified and with the coming of the motion picture as a medium of entertainment, he was one of the pioneers in that industry locally, having established his first theater in a small way in what is now the arcade building on Independence Street. The mushroom of the growth of the theater business made it one wherein it early became a business of the survival of the fittest and the present Majestic Theater, which supplanted the original small playhouse, attests to the business acumen of Mr. Higgins in that respect. As one catering to clean and wholesome entertainment, Mr. Higgins quickly won recognition, of amusement seekers coming of success and considerable wealth in his local theater enterprise, he subsequently launched playhouse enterprises at Pottsville, Gettysburg, Mt.Carmel and Tamaqua.
At the latter place he became co-partner with many fellow officials of the Reading company and citizens of Tamaqua in the building of the combined Majestic the most pretentious business places Theater and hotel property, as one of in the railroad town. As a theatrical man, Mr. Higgins became known to the heads of the greatest film corporations and continued to hold the friendship of the giants of this industry thru many years.
What is now the Higgins Amusement Enterprises, Inc, of which Mr. Higgins was president, had its beginning with the establishment of the theater in the then market house arcade. The original theater Majestic, had a very small seating capacity and the enterprise popularity of necessitated the two recreational subsequent enlargements to meet the demands of patrons. Its destruction by fire in 1917 prompted the erection of the New Majestic and which launched a new era in regional theater construction as it was then the largest and most elaborate motion picture theater in the anthracite region.
The Majestic at Pottsville was the second of the amusement enterprises, having been established in 1910 while the Majestic Theater and hotel at Tamaqua was erected in 1924-1925. In the interim, Mr.Higgins was for a time interested in theatrical enterprises at Mt. Carmel and Gettys- burg but because of press of other business disposed of these interests some years ago.
With the founding of the Shamokin Chamber of Commerce the now lamented citizen was one of its most ardent supporters and served on numerous committees. Thru interceding with higher officials of the Reading Railway Company and with whom he held close personal as well as business alliances, Mr. Higgins was able to bring many benefits to the commercial interests of Shamokin and also prompted numerous improvements to make the company property, attractive, effected co-operation between the officials of the company and borough authorities and was ever active in advancing every interest Shamokin.
He was one of the original members of Shamokin Council, Knights of Columbus, was identified with the Cresco Club, a charter member and one of the organizers of the Shamokin Country Club and held membership in the Sons of Veterans, Reading Railway Club, Reading Veterans Association and several other organizations.
Included among his other activities was the presidency of the Edgewood Garage, Inc., directorship of the National Bank of Shamokin and the presidency of the Higgins Entertainment Enterprises, Inc.
Accepted into the social life of the community early following his appointment to the local Reading agency, Mr. Higgins was one of the original members of the Clover Club, the membership of which ultimately joined in founding Shamokin lodge of Elks.
Mr. Higgins had originally held his Elk membership in Sunbury Lodge and where he was honored with election to the exclusive officerships and ultimately served as exalted ruler. It was [as] a member of the Sunbury Elks that he became active in the founding of Shamokin Lodge and participated as one of the officers in charge of the institution of the lodge here. Completing his period of service as an officer at Sunbury, Mr. Higgins transferred his membership to this city and continued as an active member up to the time of physical incapacitation.
He was also one of the founders of the Shamokin Valley Gun and Country Club, with clubhouse, grove and traps located near Elysburg and enjoyed thoroly the surrounding and good fellowship within the club. It was at this cub that Mr Higgins found his recreation from diversified business interest until ill-health forced him to obtain his periods of rest within the confines of his home.
That the baseball fans of the community might enjoy professional and league baseball, Mr Higgans was for many years one contributors to the sport and was an ardent follower of the same. He was equally liberal in his support of other community enterprises, was known as a philanthropist, and a quiet giver to the needy.
Politically, Mr. Higgins was a follower of the Jeffersonian principles, and at the time of entrance to Northumberland county he brought into play in the councils of his party the political schooling he had received at the hands of masters while a resident of Schuylkill county and from which district a brother, The Hon. John F. Higgins was for a number of years a state senator. Mr. Higgins received recognition of his party in the congressional district with election to office of national delegate, and as such attended the national convention at San Francisco, in 1920 and was a champion for a second term for Woodrow Wilson, memorable World War-time president.
Locally, Mr. Higgins was active in municipal, township, and county politics and always a liberal contributor to local, state and national campaign funds for the Democratic party principles and elections. For a time he served in borough council as a representative of the fifth ward where he resided at the time.
Religiously, Mr. Higgins was a devout Roman Catholic, held membership in St. Joseph's Church, was a member of all of the church organizations, including its charitable bodies His contributions to religious activities were always most liberal.
During the Old Home Week celebration here, Mr. Higgins was an outstanding member of the executive committee and by reason of his knowledge of detail work in connection with his railroad avocation, became chairman of major sub committees. He was also one of the supporters of ex-Burgess Dr. A. G. Shissler in the Shamokin Mummer parades which became outstanding in regional history.
George J. Higgins was married in October, 1891, to Miss Julia M. Tobin, a member of another widely known Shenandoah family and who, with the following children survives: Margaret E., wife of Harry Nagle; John F., identified with the active management of the Higgins Amusement Enterprises, Inc., two sisters, Miss Julia H. Higgins, of Shenandoah Mrs. Ira Wiltshire, of Bristol, Pa., and two brothers, Dr. James E. Higgins, of Philadelphia and Charles A. Higgins, of Tamaqua, and eight grandchildren, also survive.
The funeral will be held on Friday morning at 9:30 at St. Joseph's Church with solemn high mass of requiem. Burial will be made in St. Edwards cemetery.
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