Higgins was the successful Republican nominee for governor in 1904, and he served one term from January 1905 to December 1906. He was succeeded by fellow Republican Charles Evans Hughes (who later became the U.S. Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the United States). Higgins was in ill health at the end of his term and died just six weeks after leaving office. In his obituary in The New York Times, it was said: "The illness of ex-Gov. Higgins covers practically the whole of his administration of two years. His health was not robust when he was nominated for Governor in 1904, and it is but chronicling the truth to say that the campaign taxed him greatly. Following his election he was able to rest up, and for a time he felt better than in months. On assuming office, however, the cares of the Governorship wore on him and each month increased the pressure." Personal life On June 5, 1877, Higgins was married to Kate Corinne Noble (1855–1929), a daughter of Aaron Harrison Noble and Aldura (née Bell) Noble. They married in Stanton, Michigan where Higgins was then in business. Together, they were the parents of: Orrin Thrall Higgins (1879–1912) Josephine Bell Higgins, who married Émile Lucien Hovelaque, the Inspector General of Public Instruction in France, in 1911. Frank Harrison Higgins (1886–1937). Clarence Noble Higgins (1890–1890), who died in infancy of Cholera Infantum. Among Higgins closest friends was Olean Mayor Nicholas Van Vranken Franchot, who served as the New York State Superintendent of Public Works during Higgins administration. Higgins died of heart disease in Olean on February 12, 1907. After an Episcopal burial service read at his residence, he was buried at Mount View Cemetery in Olean. President and Mrs. Roosevelt sent flowers, as did Governor Hughes and many other prominent people. Higgins estate was valued at $1,250,000, considerably less than the $15,000,000 estimated around his death. His wife died at the Higgins residence, 128 South Street in Olean, in May 1929. Legacy Higgins official portrait as Governor of New York was painted by Buffalo, New York native, Eugene Speicher. A biography of Higgins's life was written by William Gabler, entitled Frank Wayland Higgins: New York’s Forgotten Governor. References External links Gov. Frank W. Higgins at the New York State Archives. Political papers of Frank Wayland Higgins at the New York State Archives. 1856 births 1907 deaths Republican Party