From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Higdon, Daniel V.
(born: 1832)Dr. Daniel V. Higdon was an early African American dentist in Owensboro, KY. In the year 1886, he established his office that was adjoined to his home on Fredrica Street. Dr. Higdon was born around 1833 in Daviess County, KY, according to his U.S. Civil War draft registration record. He enlisted in Bowling Green, KY, and served as a sergeant major, Company F&S (field & staff), 115 U.S. Colored Infantry.
In 1850, Higdon was enumerated with his family of free persons (mulattoes) in Daviess County. Daniel V. Higdon was the son of Richard and Mahala Higdon, and he was the husband of Amanda C. Parker Higdon. The couple married in Bowling Green, KY, on April 7, 1858.
In 1860, Daniel V. Higdon and his brother Richard were enumerated as barbers in Bowling Green, KY. Seven years later, Daniel was a Warren County delegate to the Kentucky Colored Convention in 1867. Higdon served on the Committee of Nominations of the Executive Committee.
Daniel continued as a barber in Bowling Green when enumerated in 1870. He and Amanda had two children, Richard and Mary. In 1880, Daniel V. Higdon was a widower living with his parents in Knottsville, KY, where he was employed as a barber. Four years later, in 1884, Higdon was appointed as a delegate to the Republican Convention.
It is not known where or if Daniel V. Higdon was trained as a dentist. He was an older man when he was practicing as a dentist in Owensboro, KY, in 1886. The following year, Higdon was elected the director of McKinley Drum Corp in Owensboro. He was among the members of the Harp Higdon Post 191 that collected musical instruments.
Dave Higdon is listed without an occupation on p.60 of the Directory of the City of Owensboro Kentucky, 1897-8. He continued to be enumerated as a barber in the U.S. Census schedule as late as the year 1900 when he was living with his daughter Mary in Knottsville. During this period, Higdon was also a dentist and moved his dental practice from Knottsville to Owensboro in November of 1900. Dr. Higdon is listed as dentist with an * (colored) on p.103 of the Owensboro City Directory, 1901-1902. He is referred to as Dr. D. V. Higdon, colored dentist, in the Owensboro newspaper up to the year 1902 and is last mentioned in the newspapers as a resident in 1904.
Sources: See Daniel V. Higdon and Amanda C. Parker in the Kentucky County Marriages in Ancestry.com; see Daniel V. Higdon in the U.S. Colored Troops Military Service Records (Ancestry.com); "The Negro State Convention." Louisville Daily Courier, 29 November 1867, p.4; "Kentucky Colored Convention." Louisville Daily Courier, 02 December 1867, front page; "Dr. D. V. Higdon ..." The Owensboro Tri-Weekly Messenger, 05 October 1886, p.4; "Knottsville News." Owensboro Daily Tribune, 11 March 1896, front page; "Local Dashes." Owensboro Daily Inquirer, 19 November 1900, p.4.