The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Marion Township, pages 684-685
Michael Higgins was born in Putnam County, Ind., Aug. 5, 1823, a son of David and Helen (Mudd) Higgins, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1795, and his mother of Maryland. They were married in Kentucky and soon after moved to Lawrence County, Ind., and later to Jefferson Township, Putnam County, and in March, 1831, came to Hendricks County and settled on the southeast quarter of section 33, Marion Township, on land entered by his brother Thomas in 1828. He became one of the most prosperous citizens of the county, adding to his first purchase till he owned a landed estate of 500 acres. His family consisted of eight children, three born in Putnam and five in Hendricks County--David, of Edgar County, Ill.; Michael; Mrs. Eliza Ann Cavett, of Lucas County, Iowa; John A., of Colorado; Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, of Saline County, Kas.; Mrs. Helen Aldrich, deceased; Mrs. Nancy Carter, of Hendricks County; and Mary Jane, deceased. Daniel Higgins died in 1851, and Mrs. Higgins several years later, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Carter, aged seventy-seven years. Michael Higgins was married Oct. 7, 1847, to Elizabeth Plaster, who was born Sept. 30, 1822, daughter of William Plaster, an early settler of Middle Township, where he died in 1880, his wife surviving him but a short time. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have a family of six children--William T., David A., Mrs. Nancy Jane Wilson, Mrs. Cassandra Hunt, Charles E. and May. The eldest four are married and settled near the homestead, in Marion Township. Mrs. Higgins died Aug. 15, 1883. Mr. Higgins is the largest landowner in Marion Township, his title deeds showing the proprietorship of 880 acres of valuable land, including the greater part of his father's property. He is one of the reliable citizens of the township, and has served his townsmen as Trustee and Treasurer. In politics he is a Democrat.