Anthony Higgins (politician)

Anthony C. Higgins
United States Senator from Delaware
In office March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by	Eli Saulsbury
Succeeded by	Richard R. Kenney
United States Attorney for the District of Delaware
In office 1869–1876
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	John Lockwood Pratt
Succeeded by	William Corbit Spruance
Personal details
Born	Anthony Clark Higgins (1840-10-01)October 1, 1840 New Castle, Delaware
Died	June 26, 1912(1912-06-26) (aged 71) New York City, New York
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Delaware College Yale University Harvard Law School
Profession	Lawyer
Signature

Anthony Clark Higgins (October 1, 1840 – June 26, 1912) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the Republican Party, who served as United States Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Higgins was born in Red Lion Hundred in New Castle County, Delaware. He attended Newark Academy and Delaware College, and graduated from Yale College in 1861, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. After studying law at the Harvard Law School, he was admitted to the bar in 1864 and began practice in Wilmington, Delaware. He also served for a time in the Union Army in 1864.

Professional and public career

Higgins was appointed deputy Attorney General in 1864 and was the United States attorney for Delaware from 1869 until 1876. He was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for election to the 49th Congress in 1884, but was elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1889, until March 3, 1895, when he unsuccessfully sought reelection. During his tenure he was Chairman of the committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service in the 51st and 52nd Congress, and a member of the Committee on Manufactures in the 52nd Congress. Subsequently, he resumed the practice of law in Wilmington, including service as one of the attorneys for the respondent in the impeachment proceedings of United States District Court Judge Charles Swayne of Florida in 1904/05.

Death and legacy

Higgins died while at New York, New York, and is buried at the St. Georges Cemetery, near St. Georges in New Castle County.

Almanac

Elections are held the first week of November. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term.

Public offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	Notes
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington, D.C.	March 4, 1889	March 3, 1895

United States congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1889–1891	51st	U.S. Senate	Republican	Benjamin Harrison		class 2
1891–1893	52nd	U.S. Senate	Republican	Benjamin Harrison		class 2
1893–1895	53rd	U.S. Senate	Democratic	Grover Cleveland		class 2

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1884	U.S. Representative		Anthony Higgins	Republican	12,878	43%		Charles B. Lore	Democratic	17,054	57%

References

• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.
• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware, 3 vols. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• Works by or about Anthony Higgins at the Internet Archive
• Anthony Higgins at Find a Grave
• Political Graveyard
• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965