He left school early and working at different times as a butcher's boy, cab driver, and milk deliverer.

[1] However, he had a strong youthful interest in the Christian gospel, and resolved to become a preacher or missionary.

While being in India, he developed close friendship with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru[2] He retired in Florida in 1945.

Higginbottom died in Frostproof, Florida at the home of his daughter, Mrs Charles Coates.

[7] Higginbottom's papers are housed at the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia.