Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 448
CHESTER J. BRIGGS

Chester J. BRIGGS, proprietor of one of the markets at Missouri Valley, will form the subject of this biographical notice. He was born in Windom County, Vt., October 15, 1833. He is a son of Thomas and Philena (STANCIFF) BRIGGS. Both parents were of English ancestry, the grandfathers on both sides coming from England. Our subject's mother died when he was but fourteen years of age, and his father survived until August 17, 1891, aged eighty years. Our subject had one brother and one sister; the former is deceased and the latter lives in Halifax, Vt.

Mr. BRIGGS' early education was received in the Green Mountain State where he usually worked at farming; also spent three years at the butcher business, prior to coming west.

August 29, 1862, he enlisted as a wagoner of Capt. David BALL'S Company, which was "D," of the Sixteenth Vermont Militia Volunteers. He served nine months and was injured and laid in the hospital two weeks.

In 1871 he moved to LEE County, Ill., where he farmed three years, and in 1874, settled in Cass County, Iowa, where he farmed seven years, after which he conducted a meat market for two years at Anita, the same county. From there he removed to Griswold, and in 1886, came to Missouri valley, since which time he has operated a first-class meat and provision market.

He was united in marriage January 29, 1859, at South Londonderry, Vt., to Laura L. ROBINSON, whose parents were very early settlers in Windom County, Vt. Her father died April 18, 1889, aged seventy-one years, while his good wife is a resident of Corning, Adams County, Iowa. Laura L. ROBINSON was born October 5, 1842.

Mr. and Mrs. BRIGGS are the parents of eight children; Adelbert C., born November 20, 1859, at home; Fred R. April 4, 1862, married and living in Missouri Valley; Albert T. July 28, 1865, at home Minnie E. April 16, 1867, died at twelve years and six months of age; she was buried in Cass County; Myrta L. born July 3, 1869, at home; Cora L. January 16, 1878, at home; Maud I., January 27, 1880, at home; Ada, February 26, 1882, at home.

Our subject and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Missouri Valley, and in his political belief, Mr. BRIGGS is a Democrat.   Fred R., son of our subject, is also a butcher by trade. He married Miss Nora SPROLL, a native of this county. They are the parents of two children Sadie Lula and Bessie R.

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