Eliza ⁶ WENZEL

Notes for Eliza WENZEL:
Eliza Wenzel was born at Framingham, MA, February 24, 187.  She married January 31, 1833 to Selar Higley, son of Judah and Relief (Stearnes) Higley.  He was born in Marlboro, VT, May 20, 1805.  His early life was spent at his birth place.  About 1826, he went to Genesee County, NY where he remained for two years, after which he returned to Marlboro.  After his marriage he came to Framingham, MA and lived on the Captain John Wenzel farm of which his wife was part owner.  He followed farming all his life, but for many years he made boots during the winter months, employing several work men.  He was a clever mechanic and was often working on some new invention.  He made and used dies for cutting sole leather many years before they were put on the market and if he had patented his invention he would undoubtedly have made considerable money out of it.  He was for many years a member of the Ashland Congregational Church as was also his wife.  She died, December 30, 1871 and he died, March 20, 1889.

Marriage Notes for Eliza WENZEL and Selah HIGLEY:
After their marriage, they came to Framingham, MA and lived on the Captain John Wenzel farm of which Eliza was part owner.  He followed farming all his life, but for many years he made boots during the winter months, employing several work men.  Selar was a clever mechanic and was often working on some new invention.  he made and used dies for cutting sole leather many years before they were put on the market and if he had patented his invention he would undoubtedly have made considerable money out of it.  They were members of the Ashland Congregational Church for many years.
 
Children of Eliza WENZEL and Selah HIGLEY are:
 
i. Lucy Wenzel ³ HIGLEY, b. April 09, 1835; d. February 01, 1836.
 
ii. George Trask ³ HIGLEY, b. March 09, 1837, Framingham, Massachusetts; d. June 05, 1912; m. Martha ROSINE.

               Notes for George Trask HIGLEY:
     George entered Amherst College in 1853, and graduated in 1857.  For the next two years he taught school at West Bloomfield, NY, and at Danville, Illinois.  In 1859, he entered the Chicago Theological Seminary, graduating in 1861.  He was ordained in Ashland, MA May 31,1861.  He preached for a year at DeKalbill and then ill health compelled him to leave the pulpit and return to his home.  On October 8, 1864, he enlisted with his brother, Wakefield, in the 13th, NY Calvary from Hart's Island.  They were sent to the regimental camp near Falls Church, VA and assigned to Co K.   The regiment was soon transferred to Camp Lowell on the Leesburg Pike about ten miles from Washington where the winter of 1864 & 1865 were spent in guarding the city of Washington.  here he was made company clerk.  In the spring he was transferred with one Battalion to Camp Relief in the city of Washington and there served as mail dispatch carrier for the battalion.  The regiment was later consolidated with the 16th, NY Calvary and stationed at Camp Barry.  Here he was acting Quarter master for Co K..   Upon the death of his brother, Sept. 4, 1865, he returned home with the body.  he was afterwards detained here at his home in Ashland by sickness, during which time he mustered out of service with his regiment at the close of the war.  In 1866 he invented a method for preserving fruit and erected a building for experiments, some success attended the enterprise.
     During 1871 and 1873 he studied law with Mr. George W. Norris, Esq. of Ashland, MA and at Boston University School of Law from which he graduated in the class of 1873.  he was admitted to the bar Jan. 4, 1873.  In Jan. 1903, he was appointed one of the Special Justice of the First District Courts of Southern Middlesex.  On Oct. 2, 1873 he married Mrs. Marthe Rosine (Smith), and widow of Abner R. Wenzel.  They settled where Mr. Higley has since practiced law.  For many years he was a member of the School Committee in that town, and has been trustee to the Public library since its formation in 1882.  It was due to his efforts that the library was established, and he has been very active in the selection of books.  About 1889 he wrote a history of Ashland which was published in Lewi's History of Middlesex County.  In 1896 he and his stepson John Wenzel formed a partnership for the practice of law, with offices in Ashland and in Boston.  In 1898, however, the partnership was dissolved and he devoted his time to his Ashland practice.  In 1889 a portion of the Captain John Wenzel farm descended to him by the death of his father.  he purchased the interests of the other heirs and became sole owner of the whole farm.  much of his time has been spent there in improving the place.  He died June 5, 1912.

Sources:
Descendants of Hephzibah Bigelow, taken from notes of  Christine Fallon. (see below)
Barry, History of Framingham.
Descendant note:  Wed, 11 Nov 1998 14:22:22 EST
     Hello, my name is Christine Fallon.  I am a direct descendant from Hepsibeh Bigelow and John Wenzel of Framingham, MA.  However, the information that I have about her and what you have about her are not quite the same.  I have her
birth date as being September 24, 1767.  You have her birthday September 24, 1757.  Also the marriage dates are not the same.  You have the year as being 1792, while I have the year as being 1790.  The month and day are the same.
     My sources are from the Descendants of Henry Wenzel.  The original manuscript is kept at The New England Genealogical Society.  Copies of this manuscript has been passed down from generations. Also Family Tree Maker CD#231, Marriage Index:Massachusetts, 1633-1850. If indeed the dates I have are wrong, I would like to see your records so that I can update my records. I can also give you information of descendants of their children, that you do  not have.
Christine Fallon       E-mail    Clfpaint@aol.com
I have used Christine's dates until I hear otherwise........ROD   11/11/98

  bigelow@slic.com Rod Bigelow at SLIC