George E Higley - Source: Portrait, genealogical and biographical record of the State of Utah: containing biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, 1902
George E. Higley is another of the sterling sons of Utah who have aspired to no greater honor than that of remaining in the land of their birth and carrying to completion the noble work begun by their forfathers more than half a century ago. He was born in Mountain Gree, Morgan County, Utah, September 28, 1857, and is the sone of George and Nancy Ellen (Wardsworth) Higley. The father came to Utah in 1855 and has since divided his time between Morgan and Weber Counties, living at this time in Weber Ward and Ogden, spending a portion of the year in each place. He stood in the forefront of the pioneers for many years, giving liberably of his time, means and strength in the upbuilding and cultivation of this county, and is known throughout the State. He has reared a large family, his sons being among the leading citizens of Hooper.
Our subject lived in Morgan county up to the age of fourteen years, since which time his home has been in Weber County. He followed railroading for a few years, and in 1885 went into the stock business, buying and selling, and breeding blooded stock, devoting his entire time to that industry for sixteen years, and has done a great deal to introduce high grade stock into this county, and promote the live stock industry. He kept from one hundred to three hundred and fifty head of stock constantly on the range, running them principally in the mountains of Morgan County, and at the same time owned a fine farm in Hooper, where he built one of the finest homes in the city and follows general farming. In 1891 he branched out into the sheep business, having about twenty-five hundred head of graded sheep, still retaining his cattle interests.
Mr. Higley has not devoted his attention to his business to the exclusion of all else; on the contrary, he is one of Hooper's progressive and wide-awake citizens, largely interested in whatever tends for her advancement. He is a Director in the Hooper cheese factory and has taken an active part in building up many of the industries of the place, giving substantial aid to any worthy enterprise.
In politics his sympathies are with the Republicans, and he was one of the first to join the ranks of that party when the division came. He was for some years Secretary of the Republican Club of this place, and has always been a staunch party man. He filled the office of Road Supervisor two years. He is a member of the Mormon Church, and while not very active, gives liberally of his means for her support.
Mr. Higley was married on January 20, 1879, to Miss Adeline Johnson, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Harrison) Johnson. They have had a family of seven children - Annie Genevieve, wife of Richard Young; Maude May, Ellis L., Bertha E., Ellen, Con Wallace, Effife, the youngest, died at the age of thirteen years.
