Untitled Document

WILLIAM BRIGGS

The subject of this sketch, was born about 1807 in Ireland, where he spent his early life. When at the age of twenty-five he came to America, in company with his brother Thomas. They first landed on the British Islands, in Canada. They stayed there two months, and then went to New York, where be followed teaming and weaving. He next moved to Illinois in 1846, first stopping at Rock Island ; from there lie moved to Swedonia, where he found employment at fifty cents per day for ten years. In the meanwhile he bough a small piece of land ; but not having a team of his own, he was forced to hire one, for which he gave his own labor in exchange for the use of a horse.

He bought his first eighty acres of Levi Wasson and paid for it in trade. He next bought some government land from a man who had entered it. He was married in New York in 1834 to Miss Isabella Clay. By this marriage they had five children born to them, one only of whom was born in Illinois. John, the oldest, married Miss Ann Armstrong, who is deceased. He was married a second time to Lena Colter. They have one child living and one dead. Henry married Miss Vina Smith, and they have one child. In Mr. Briggs' father's family there were five boys and three girls, all of whom were born in Ireland : Margaret, John, Richard, Jane, Mary, Murphy, Thomas and Robert. Margaret is deceased ; John lives in New York ; Richard died at Pleasant Hill ; Jane, wife of David Bates, resides in Ireland ; Mary married John Murphy ; Robert married in NeYork..

When the war of the rebellion broke out Mr. Briggs furnished two soldiers from his family. Robert entered the service as a private and was promoted second lieutenant, and, at the time of his discharge, a captain's commission was forwarded by the governor. He was a brave officer, and was with his regiment through all the various battles with the western army, and was wounded at the battle of Lex ington.

He was a member of Co. B, 65th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. Thomas, a merchant of Preemption, was a member of the 140th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., commanded by Col. Sherman. He entered the service in 1864 at Dixon. After his return home he met with an accident, a misfortune which necessitated the amputation of his arm. Mr. and. Mrs. Briggs are members of the Episcopal church, of Preemption.

History of Mercer and Henderson County

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Illinois Ancestors