They were made by whatever supplier Sears could talk into giving them a good deal. I've had one that was made by Columbia and one that was made by Puch of Austria.
As I recall JC Higgins worked in the Sears accounting department or marketing or something dull like but was a real weekend sportsman and everyone liked him so a lot of the sporting godds sears sold had his name on it. Fishing gear, outboard motors, snowshoes.
He was replaced by Ted Williams and later by an indian or hippy fellow named Free Spirit.