Edmund A. Briggs (1859-1940)

BRIGGS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/3/2022 at 09:30:30

Edmund A. Briggs
(February 6, 1859 – December 8, 1940)

Edmund A. Briggs has been so closely identified with agricultural interests in Calhoun County and has been so active in other lines of industry that his history forms an important chapter in this volume. He resides on section 18, Sherman Township, where he owns and operates a valuable farm. He was born in Nottinghamshire, England, February 6, 1859, and is a son of Edmund and Keziah E. Briggs, both of whom were natives of the same country, the former born August 11, 1827. and the latter on the 4th of March, 1829. They were married in Nottinghamshire and the father devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In 1869 he sailed for America with his family, arriving on the 4th of July and making his way across the country to Tama City, where he remained for a year and a half. In 1871 he came to Calhoun County and for a few years he conducted a lumber yard here. The greater part of the time, however, was devoted to farming and he became a well known agriculturist of the community, respected by all for his sterling worth. He remained a resident of the county until 1890 when, with his wife, he returned to England, where they are now living, the father at the age of seventy-five years, the mother at the age of seventy-three. He was actively associated with public improvement in the county. He built the first house on the present site of Pomeroy and also built the first school house there. During his residence here he took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the general good. He was quite a wealthy man and withheld his support from no movement which he believed would aid in the upbuilding of the county. In their family were thirteen children, eight of whom are yet living, namely: Samuel, a car inspector, of Mitchell, South Dakota; Eliza, the wife of Fred Smith, of Pomeroy, Iowa; Arthur, who resides in Aurora, Illinois; Edmund A., the subject of this review; Albert, a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa; William, who makes his home in Alpena, Michigan; Cyrus B. and Thomas P., both of whom are now living in England. Edmund A. Briggs spent the first ten years of his life in his native land and then accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. With them he came to Iowa and remained upon his father's farm in Calhoun County until 1880. During the succeeding seven years he conducted an elevator during the winter months and in the summer seasons engaged in farming on his own account. He then rented land for a year and in 1888 removed to his present home. Nearly all of his land was under cultivation and is well improved. Many rods of tiling have enhanced its arable condition and his labors have been rewarded with abundant harvests. He keeps in touch with the most improved methods of farming and his work is bringing to him a good annual income.
On Christmas day of 1879, in Calhoun County, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage to Miss Stena Larson, daughter of John and Carrie Larson, who were farming people of Pocahontas County. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have been born nine children: Edmund A., born June 26, 1881; William A., whose birth occurred on the 15th of March, 1883; John, who was born March 20, 1886; Grover C, born August 29, 1888; Carrie E., born May 4, 1891; Ethel E., whose birth occurred on the l0th of March, 1894; Lewis C, who was born August 1, 1896; Emma A., who was born November 20, 1898; and H. Ellen M., born January 5, 1902. In his political affiliations Mr. Briggs is a Democrat and has served as road supervisor, as school director and as constable, discharging his duties in a very commendable manner. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and to the Presbyterian church, and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen who gives a loyal support to every movement and measure calculated to prove of general good. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.380]