John C. Briggs

BRIGGS, CURTIS, HUTCHIN, BENNETT, CHURCH, LEVANCHE, SHELLABARGER

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 8/17/2021 at 15:36:36

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, October 24, 1901
Page 5

John C. Briggs was born in 1824 in Lincolshire, England and died October 9, 1901, at his home in Concord township, Louisa county, Iowa, at the ripe age of seventy-seven. He was the eldest of twelve children and the eleventh to be called to that land "from Whence no traveler returneth." One sister, Mr. H. Curtis, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, alone remains of all that family to mourn his loss. It was her privilege to be with him in his last sickness and help minister to his wants.

When young, Mr. Briggs learned the cooper's trade, but since 1867 he has been engaged in farming in Louisa county. Thus another of the "old settler's" faces will be seen no more. " We re passing, passing way." Mr. Briggs was twice married; first to May Hutchin, a native of England, June 24, 1847, who departed this life three years later. One child, a year old, preceded its mother and one son, Edward Samuel, who often visited his father, lives near Cairo, Louisa county. His second marriage was to Sophia Bennett, widow of Isaac Church, who had one son, the much respected Geo. Church of Columbus Junction. Of the latter union seven children were born, five of whom are living. They are; Henry Augustus, Zilphia Adell, Mary Levanche, - now Mrs. Will Shellabarger of Grandview township- John Wesley and Fred. It was one of a kind Heavenly Father's blessing that all these were permitted to be, either all or a part of the time, with their father and to do all that loving, thankful children can do for an earthly parent. Mr. Briggs felt that he was going to depart from his earthly tabernacle, and calling his little grandson, Frank Briggs, who has been in his home so much, to him he told him he was going to die and wanted to be a good boy. To a relative he said not long since that he was "ready to go."