Riggs, James Charles (1865-1955)

RIGGS, WRIGHT, BIBLER, DUVALL, THATCH

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 8/2/2011 at 17:51:08

Florence [Kansas] Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 1955

James Charles Riggs, son of James D. and Lucinda Barker Riggs, was born April 17, 1865, near Union Town in Union County, Iowa. He passed away June 13, 1955 at 7:50 a.m.
With his parents and older brothers and sisters he came to Marion County, Kansas, in the spring of 1865 and has been a resident of this same county practically all of his life. Soon after the arrival of the Riggs family at Marion Center, the county seat, the infant J.C. needed medical attention. Aid was given by the late Dr. J.N. Rogers, who had recently arrived to look over this location with a view to opening an office.
The James D. Riggs family journeyed from Iowa to Kansas in a horse drawn covered wagon, which was ferried across the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Mo. They lived at Marion Center until fall, coming then to their homestead land located one mile north of Florence. This is now the Ralph G. Robison farm.
The Riggs children attended school in the log school house situated one quarter of a mile west of their home on the Mahlon B. Riggs land.
The deceased was one of a family of fifteen children all of whom preceded him in death. Also Mr. Riggs was preceded in death by two wives, Rose, and Mary; one son, Hazel Victor Riggs, and a daughter, Bernice Riggs Wright, children of his former marriages.
J.C. Riggs and Frances V. Bibler were married August 3, 1922 and have continued to live in Florence. He was a member of the Christian Church at Florence. For years he served as Deacon and more recently was made Deacon Emeritus.
Mr. Riggs was always deeply interested in community public affairs. He was a member of Florence Lodge No. 114, A.F. & A. M., serving as secretary for a number of years. During many years he was attentively helpful at the illnesses of relatives and friends.
Survivors include the wife, Frances Bibler Riggs of the home; two sons, Willis K. Riggs, Wichita and James E Riggs, San Francisco, Cal.; one daughter, Dorothy DuVall, and granddaughter, Judy Thatch, both of Marion; one grandson, J.L. Wright, three great grandchildren, Jeff, Bill and Karen Christine Wright all of Great Bend, and many other relatives.
Funeral services were held in the Florence Christian church, on Wednesday, June 15, Rev. Lloyd G. Cox, officiating minister. The hymns, “In the Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross”, and “Abide With Me” were sung by Bernard Stromberg, George Clasen, George Whitcomb Jr., and Ray Davidson accompanied by Mrs. J.D. Robinson.
Pall bearers were Paul Riggs, Fred Riggs, Doris Riggs, Ray Riggs, Lawrence Riggs, Clifford Riggs.
Graveside services were conducted by Advance Lodge No. 114 A.F. & A. M. of Florence. Ushers were C.R. Solomon, C. A. Graham, B. F. Barrett.
Among those from out of town who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Riggs, Bushton; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Bibler, Mrs. and Mrs. Sidney Nye and Mrs. Jessie Beach, Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Riggs, Mrs. And Mrs. Loren Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Solon Cox, Burns; Mrs. Edith Buehler, Mrs. And Mrs. Ted Moberly, Mary Lou, Joe and Nancy, Strong City; Mrs. D. H. Whisler, Holyrood; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Riggs, Hutchinson; Mr. and Mrs. Carmin Hammans, Hoisington; Mrs. and Mrs. Cliff Riggs, El Dorado; Mrs. Maud Robertson, Topeka; Mrs. Cora Pavey and Jay, Mrs. & Mrs. Wm. DuVall and Judy Thatch, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. John Oxford, Wonsevu; Mrs. and Mrs. Alfred Mercer, Homestead; R. E. Reynolds, Eureka; Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer, Peabody; Mr. and Mrs. Ted Riggs, Esther Binford and Ethel Grimwood & Willis K. Riggs, Wichita; J.E. Riggs, San Francisco, Calif.; Jim Wright and son, Jeff, Great Bend; and Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Wright, Medicine Lodge.
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R. E. Reynolds of Eureka was in Florence last Wednesday to attend the funeral services of J.C. Riggs. Obituary- James Charles Riggs
Florence Bulletin, Thursday, June 23, 1955
The Reynolds are former Florence residents.