In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1813, Windham Township
From History of Portage County, Ohio (1885)
MATTHEW P. HIGLEY, farmer, P. O. Windham, was born in Windham Township, this county, September 12, 1813, the second white child to see the light of day in the township, and the oldest living resident now that was born here, son of Benjamin and Sally (McCown) Higley, who were the parents of seven children: Robert M., Edward, Loren, Matthew P., Sarah, Hannah and Alfred M. Benjamin Higley was a native of Berkshire County, Mass., born in 1877; came to this township in 1811; served as a Colonel in the war of 1812, and died about 1865, his wife having died several years previous. Our subject was raised on a farm, and made farming the principal occupation of his life. He was married September 25, 1839, to Miss Luna C. Robbins, born in Windham Township, this county, February 16, 1821, by whom he has had six children: Lodisa H., Philander R., Marion C, Benjamin P., Franklin (deceased) and Mack D. In 1869 Mr. Higley removed to Windham Center, still retaining his farming interests, however, for a few years. During the Rebellion he offered his services to the country, but they were not accepted. Politically he is a Republican, and though not an office-seeker he has held some of the minor township offices. He has been a member of the Congregational Church for forty-live years, and always took an active part in Sabbathschool work, until within a few years past, when deafness interfered with those duties.
As printed in History of Portage County, Ohio (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1885. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.