The Higgie family was a founding family with 10 children (5 of whom settled in Girard). Captain John and three sons were ship captains on the Great Lakes. In 1883, they purchased 80 acres in northwest Girard and named it the "Higgie Addition."
All of the family built large homes on the west side of North Summit. Son John M.'s home was the northern most Victorian home built in 1887. Daughter Ann's home was next door South. Daughter Jane's home was third to the south, built in 1887. The fourth home is no longer standing. The fifth home was built in 1886 and was for Capt. William Higgie and his wife. The family owned the 15 acre lake and ground surrounding Leonard and Park Street.