Sounds like Alice Rollins Higbee was quite a colorful, independent woman for her time. You mention that Frank and Alice are in the 1880 census in Avoca, Iowa, but that you don't have a name or date of birth for her son. The 1880 census lists the following in Avoca, Iowa: Frank Higbee, age 22, b. IL, traveling salesman, father b. OH, mother b. OH Alice Higbee, age 24, b. IN, father b. PA, mother b. NY R. Fred Higbee, age 1, son, b. IA I would assume R. Fred Higbee to be the son you are looking for? Interestingly, I find in the 1910 census in Crawford Co., Kansas, Washington Township, page 139: Frank M. Higbee, age 51, married 21 yrs, b. IL, father b. OH, mother b. OH, coalminer Amelia Higbee, age 35, gave birth to 4 children, 4 survive, married 21 yrs, b. MO Charles Higbee, age 19, b. OK, son Annie Higbee, age 17, b. OK, daughter Jessie Higbee, age 9, b. MO, son Elmer Higbee, age 6, b. MO, son This Frank Higbee is the same age and born in the same state (IL), as the Frank you find in Iowa, in addition to the fact that this Frank's parents are also born in Ohio. Interesting. In the 1930 census for Detroit, MI, Pct. 15, April 18, 1930, sheet 13B, living in a boarding house on Connors Avenue: Frank Higbee, 71, widower, b. IL, father b. OH, mother b. OH, laundryman (veteran? No). Don't know if this helps you or not. Mona Sarratt Knight