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         J. C. BRIGGS, a farmer of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 24, Concord Township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1824, and was the eldest child in a family of twelve born to Edward and Maria (Baker) Briggs. His parents were also natives of Lincolnshire, and in company with their family set sail from Liverpool in 1844 for America, reaching the harbor of New York after a voyage of thirty-eight days. Going directly to St. Joseph County, Mich., the father there purchased an unimproved farm in Florence Township, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1853, when fifty-two years of age. The death of the mother occurred the same year.

As our subject was the eldest of the family he was obliged to assist in clearing the farm. In Constantine, St. Joseph County, he learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for ten years, and in that county was married, June 24, 1847, becoming the husband of Mary Hutchin, who was a native of England, and a daughter of Samuel and Martha (Shilcock) Hutchin, both of whom were born in Donnington, England, and came to America in 1842. Her father was a farmer and cooper, and followed the former occupation in St. Joseph County, Mich., until his death, which occurred in 1883. One year later his wife was called to her final home.

After their marriage the young couple began their domestic life in Constantine, where Mr. Briggs worked at his trade, but when three years had passed the death of his wife occurred on the 11th of November, 1850, after a short illness. One child had been born of their union, but died when only a year old. On the 12th of December, 1852, Mr. Briggs was again married, at Constantine, Sophia Bennett, widow of Isaac Church, becoming his wife. She is a daughter of George and Zilpha (Bennett) Church, who were natives of England, and came to America in 1842, locating at St. Joseph County, Mich., where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred Sept. 12, 1875. His excellent wife died some years previously, about the year 1865.

After their marriage Mr. Briggs and his wife remained in Michigan until 1867, when they came west to Louisa County, Iowa, where he bought a farm of eighty acres of wild timber and prairie land on section 24, Concord Township. A cabin was immediately built, crops planted, fences made, trees set out, and all other improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm were commenced. The work of cultivation has been steadily carried forward, and the farm, now comprising 100 acres of the finest farming land of the State, is pleasantly situated about five miles from Columbus Junction. It is stocked with a good grade of Jersey and Durham cattle, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Briggs is prominent in the local political affairs, votes with the Republican party, and has held a number of offices of public trust. He has served as Township Trustee, was a member of the School Board for a number of years, and was Secretary for five or six years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have been born eight . . .

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. . . children, six of whom are now living: Charles Aaron, born June 24, 1849, died Sept. 23, 1850; Edward Samuel, born Sept. 23, 1850, is married, and resides at Cairo, Louisa County, where he is engaged in farming; Henry Augustus, July 5, 1855, is married, and engaged in farming near Creston, Iowa; Zilpha Adell, Dec. 20, 1857, is now at home; Mary Levanchia, Feb. 10, 1862, is now Mrs. Shellabarger, and resides in Concord Township; John Wesley, Jan. 6, 1866, and Fred, Aug. 10, 1870, are both at home. The parents have given their children good educational advantages, and are highly respected throughout the community where they reside.