Samuel Elam Briggs (1830-1903)

BRIGGS, PALMER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/19/2011 at 01:00:12

From Story County Watchman April 10, 1903

Obituary.

Samuel E. Briggs died at his residence in the west part of the city about 7:30 Friday morning after a few days illness with LaGrippe and Pneumonia.

The funeral services took place Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the house, conducted by Col. John Scott of Des Moines, which was a request of Mr. Briggs.

The funeral services were opened by a song by a picked quartette after which followed some remarks by Mr. Scott. Mr. Briggs was a lover of poetry and had requested four of his favorite poems to be read. "Thanatopsis" was read after which the quartette rendered a selection and then a second poem "Life" was read. About four years ago Mr. Briggs prepared a brief autobiography of his life which he requested read at his funeral. This paper was read by Mr. Scott and also a few verses of "The Two Mysteries" the quartette rendered a third selection. The poem, "Oh, Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud" which was especially one of Mr. Briggs favorites was by some mistake omitted. The house although a large house sould not nearly hold the large number of relatives and friends who had gathered together to show their last tribute of respect to the deceased.

Mr. Briggs for nearly the past half sentury had been an honored and respected citizen of Nevada. He was kind and loving husband and father, had many friends and would knowingly do no one a wrong.

Below we will publish the sketch of his life which he had prepared:
Samuel Elam Briggs was born in the township of Bloomfield, Ontario county, in the state of New York, on March 30, 1830, his parents living on a farm and were farmers.

They sold their farm in 1835 and in May of that year moved to the state of Ohio. They stopped on the "Western Reserve" in that state and settled on a farm in the township of Wadsworth, and the county of Medina. Samuel attended the common district school in the winter, usually a three months' term. He also had the average of three terms of private or acadeny school, which at that time was considered of much value of the district school. For some years after reaching his majority he had but indifferent health.

In the year 1856 he came to Iowa, reaching Nevada, Story county, on the 4th day of July, and his home has since been here. One the 29th day of September 1861 he was married to Cornelia Palmer, a resident of this place. Eight sons and daughters were born to them, of which number, two sons and one daughter died in infancy, leaving three sons, two daughters, all whom are still living.

After arriving in Nevada he worked at different kinds of business until his marriage, whenhe tried farming for several years, but not being suited with farming he entered his brother's drug store, where he remained for about seven years, when he bought out the stock and commenced business for himself, remaining in the business until May 3, 1901. He found the people of Story county very kind, intelligent and moral people, and was so well suited with them that he was willing to make his home with them. Among the reat number of people with whom he was acquainted he was not able to recall one that he considered as an enemy. Any one having cause for grievance against him, he earnestly requests to endeavor to forgive and forget such grievance.

He conscientiouly endeavored to be a good neighbor, a good citizen and an honest man, and was not afraid to meet the messenger when the summons might come. Fearing the physical suffering, and pains of body, while undergoing dissolution he also sorrowed at leaving family and friends.