Higginbotham, Joseph Frederick (A Brandon Jeweller)
2/23/2010 at 7:05 AM
He was born on February 23rd 1868 in Muskoka Ontario, and took his education there.
His father was Mr. John Higginbotham, ex-merchant of Toronto.
In 1884 he moved to Manitoba and helped his father on their farm at Oak Lake. In 1890 he moved to Brandon to Apprentice to Mr. T. F. Butcher, a jeweller.
He attended the Toronto Horological College to study watch making. He returned to Brandon and continued his employment with Mr. Butcher, but left him to establish his own jewellery store in Portage la Prairie.
After four year’s Mr. Butcher died, so Mr. Higginbotham purchased his business, running both establishments until he sold the Portage enterprise to an employee named Mr. P. J. Harwood.
The Brandon Store in 1901 contained stock worth $25,000 specializing in fine diamonds, cut glass, silverware, eyeglasses, and marriage licences.
In 1907 his store was the first in Brandon to receive letter delivery.
He was a member of the Independent Order on Foresters IOOF, the Order of the Knights of Pythias, and the Conservative Party.
On November 15th 1901 he married Ms. Ina May Hogg, the daughter of Reverend Joseph Hogg of Winnipeg.
They had two children, Margaret, and Frances Irene.
Mr. Higginbotham retired after a quarter century of service to Brandonites in 1918.
Source: History of Manitoba by Geo. Bryce, 1906
http://www.pythias.org/
Brandon a City by B. F. Barker.