LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 41

J. C. BRIGGS

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, submitted June 13, 2017

        J. C. Briggs was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1824, the eldest son in a family of twelve children born to Edward and Marie (Baker) Briggs. His parents were natives of Lincolnshire and set sail for Liverpool, in 1844, for America, reaching New York after a voyage of 38 days. Going directly to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he purchased a farm, and resided there until his death in 1853. The mother passed away the same year. J. C. was the eldest of the family, so was obliged to assist in clearing the farm. June 24, 1847, he was united in...

Pg 42

... marriage to Mary Hutchin a native of England, who came with her family, Samuel and Martha (Shilcock) Hutchin, both of whom were natives of England, and came to America in 1842.

        Mr. and Mrs. Briggs began domestic life in Constantine, where Mrs. Briggs passed away in 1850. One child was born to this union, but passed away at one year of age.

        On December 12,1852, Mr. Briggs was again married at Constantine, to Sophia Bennett, widow of Isaac Church, who were natives of England and came to America in 1842. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Briggs remained in Michigan until 1867, when they came to Louisa county, and bought 80 acres of wild timber land on section 24, Concord township.

        To Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were born eight children: Charles Aaron, Edward Samuel, Henry Augustus, Zilpha Adell, Mary Lavachia, Fred and John Wesley.

        John Wesley was united in marriage to Mary Smoke, daughter of Sam Smoke, who came from Dehei, Ontario, near Lake Erie, Canada. And settled in Kansas. From there , they moved to a farm near Fredonia. Later they moved to Fredonia, purchasing a piece of property in the east edge of town, where Mrs. Briggs is residing now.

        To them eight children were born, Frank, was united in marriage to Hattie Westerman, and have two lovely girls, and make their home near Letts. Ada H. is Mrs. Elmont Turner and have their home in Des Moines, and have one daughter, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Mildred became the wife of Oscar Miller and are the parents of one daughter, and have four grandchildren, and make their home near Conesville. Mr. Miller is quite ill at this writing.

        Della became Mrs. John Veech, lives in Kansas, and have one daughter. Louis, whose wife was Merle Reed, live in Letts. Arthur, who suffered and attack of Polio when a very small child, and has spent a good share of his life in a home where he is well taken care of. Mrs. Briggs visits with him often. What a blessing the research we have today, would have been in those days.

        Mr. Briggs passed away May 28, 1931, and left Mrs. Briggs with several small children to care for. She shouldered her load with all the courage and love a mother with her fine character would. She has been a wonderful neighbor always willing to lend a helping hand and at the age of 80 years, she goes out to sit with a sick neighbor or relative. Not being able to do heavy work, she still makes herself so valuable with all the little things she can do, we feel she is one of those people the world cannot do without, and should always be with us. For a lady her age, she is remarkably active, and sincerely respected and lived by all, Although a Canadian by birth she has long been a naturalized citizen. She has a keen wit, a good sense of humor, and keeps up with the new of the day. She lives alone, doing all her own work and visits often among her relatives, I suspect her of keeping a bag packed, when some one calls for her to sir with a sick relative or friend - a few changes of clothes, her crocheting and her bird cage and she is ready to go. A very very grand person!