Jacob Riggs

Jacob Riggs[1]

Male 1824 - 1915  (91 years)

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  • Name Jacob Riggs 
    Born 22 Jan 1824  Monroe County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1832  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    in Eureka 
    Census 1850  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    as Jacob Riggs, farmer, head of household 
    Newspaper 20 Jan 1853  [4
    Gallipolis Journal (Gallipolis, Ohio), 20 January 1853, p3: Petition 

    • ROAD NOTICE.
      Notice is hereby given that a petition was presented and filed with the Commissioners of Gallia county, at their regular session in December, A.D. 1852, praying for an alteration in the State road leading from Sample's Landing to Gallipolis, commencing at or near the Forge in Ohio township, running back to the foot of the river hill, through lands owned by different individuals, to Teen's run in Clay township; thence the best route across said run; thence back from the river near the foot of the river hiss the most practicable route for a good road through lands owned by Phillip and Andrew Cubbage, Jas. McClelland, James Riggs, R. Hay, Jas. Flack, Samuel Cole, B. W. Riggs, Robert Dye, W. Sheets, Truman Guthrie and Wm. F. Goolden, to Raccoon creek at a place called Rocky Ford; thence across said creek through lands owned by M. Lowry, Jacob Riggs, James Gatewood, Grasson Davis, Jno. Morton, Geo. Pool, Thos. Willey, heirs of Jas. Coffman, John Nesbit, Nahum Ward, Travis Brown, Mary, Anselm T. and A. N. Lasley, to a bridge across Long Run; thence to a bridge across Mud Run: thence across said bridge to the left at the foot of the river hills, through lands owned by Aburn's heirs, Wm. Walker, to a creek near the Gallia Furnace Landing; thence to the left of A. Bentley's house and crib, through lands owned by Bentley, Thompson & Co., Wm. Walker and Charles Creuzet, to the west end of a bridge recently erected across Chicamoga creek on the Portsmouth road in Gallipolis township; and that at the March session, A D. 1853, said petition will be read and the legal proceedings taken for a survey and establishing of said road.
    Census 1860  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    as Jacob Riggs, farmer, head of household 
    Newspaper 21 Feb 1867  [6
    Gallipolis Journal (Gallipolis, Ohio), 21 February 1867, p4 

    • FARM FOR SALE
      The subscriber wishes to sell his farm known as the Bear Run Farm, situated in Clay township, on Raccoon Creek, and about two miles from the Ohio River. It contains 300 acres; 170 acres cleared,—the balance well timbered. Has on it tolerable good dwelling house and barn, is well watered, and a good young orchard in bearing. The farm is well adapted for a stock farm. For particulars enquire of the subscriber living at the Mouth of Raccoon Creek.
      Jacob Riggs.
    Census 1870  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    as Jacob Riggs, farmer, head of household 
    Occupation Between 1877 and 1882  [8
    Commissioner of Gallia County, Ohio 
    Census 1880  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    as Jacob Riggs, farmer, head of household 
    History / Bio 1882  [8
    History of Gallia County (Chicago and Todelo: H. H. Hardesty & Co., 1882), p28 

    • JACOB RIGGS—came to Eureka, Clay township, in 1832, with his parents, James and Mary (Bare) Riggs; the former died July 14, 1870, the latter lives with her son, Jacob. He is a farmer, and was born in Monroe county, Ohio, Jan. 23, 1824. On Mar. 28, 1848, in Gallia county, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Truman and Hannah (Knowles) Guthrie. They moved to this township in 1834. His wife was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 24, 1828. He has been commissioner of Gallia county from 1877 to 1882. He still resides in Eureka, Clay township. They have eight children, all living in Gallia county: Laura F., born May 20, 1849; Edward A., Dec. 28, 1851; Mary H. Nov. 11, 1854; Rosa B., Aug. 3, 1857; James T., Dec. 7, 1859; Jessie F., April 11, 1860; Celia E., Aug. 1864; Ernest J., June 19, 1873. Postoffice address, Eureka, Gallia County, Ohio.
    Newspaper 28 Mar 1898  [10
    The Gallipolis Daily Tribune (Gallipolis, Ohio), 28 March 1898, p2: Golden Anniversary 

    • A Golden Wedding
      Today, March 28, '98, is the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riggs, of Raccoon Island, two prominent citizens of this county. Mr. Riggs was aged 28 and Mrs. Riggs 26 when they were married. They were married on the Guthrie farm adjoining their own. Mrs. Riggs' maiden name was Elizabeth Guthrie. She was a daughter of the late Truman and Hannah Guthrie. Mr. Riggs was the son of James Riggs, all prominent people. They became the parents of eight children—Edward, Mary Rozella, Mrs. Lizzie Ingels, Ernest all living, and Laura, Jessie and James dead. When they went to housekeeping Mr. Guthrie gave the bride a kicking cow that was worthless and Mr. Riggs had a horse. This was their entire capital. They went in debt for a farm and by industry and good management secured enough of this world's goods for themselves and children. Mr. Riggs is now among the largest tax-payers in the county. They had thought about celebrating their golden wedding day, but their recent bereavement of their son caused them to give up the idea of it. While their life has not been void of cares and heartaches common to life, they have had much to enjoy and transmit to others. Both have generally had the best of health, which is a great blessing of itself. Their many friends will wish them many returns of their wedding anniversary and that their lives may run smoothly to the end of all things. Mr. Riggs received a fall from a haymow about eight feet to the ground, Sunday morning, and sustained some bruises to his head and shoulder, from which he is suffering, but it is not thought of as serious.
    Census 1900  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [11
    as Jacob Riggs, farmer, head of household 
    Census 1910  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    as Jacob Riggs, own income, head of household 
    Obituary 20 Dec 1915 
    The Gallipolis Daily Tribune 

    • In Memory
      Jacob Riggs was born in Monroe county, Ohio, January 22, 1824, and departed this life December 20, 1915, at the advanced age of 91 years, 10 months and 28 days.
      He was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Guthrie, March 28, 1848. To them were born eight children, five of whom are living. Three children, James, Mrs. W. D. Graham and Mrs. George Gilman have preceded their father to the home beyond.
      Mr. Riggs was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Clay Chapel when he was only a boy and retained his membership here until he became a member of the church triumphant. He was an industrious hard working man and by industry, frugality and honest and careful business methods was able not only to accumulate considerable property, but to occupy an enviable position in the community. The fact that he occupied such a position never led him to use it to gain a single advantage of any fellowman no matter how humble that man's place. His situation rather deepened his sense of responsibility and gave him the conviction that he was his brother's keeper, and no one who knew his life, doubts for a moment that his life was dominated largely by that conviction.
      While the business side of his life was marked and prominent it was the religious side that made him the man that everybody knew and loved. He had great faith in God, a faith that was childlike in its simplicity. God and Heaven were realities to him. He lived in the constant companionship of the one and in the full expectation of the enjoyment of the other.
      While his life was deeply religious it was intensely practical. He believed that religion is a thing for this --- and that it is for every day; that --- --- life is under its control. He heard his Master say: "In as much as ye did unto one of the least of these ye did it unto me." So no cry of need ever went unheeded. No one was ever turned hungry from his door. No one could complain of dishonest or unfair treatment at his hand.
      The great rule laid down by the Christ for the regulation of or conduct toward one another, was the Golden Rule of his life. His deep interest in the church has been life long. Not only by his means and by his active participation in all church enterprises, but by the unconscious influence of a great and noble life has he presented the Christ of Calvary to needy men. No pastor has gone from Clay Chapel in more than half a century without good reason to thank God for Jacob Riggs.
      For several years his health has been failing. For all this time he has moved about in his quiet way as though waiting for the end. It has finally come. A long life is ended. A life's work is done. A journey is finished and at Home, he can rest. After an acquaintance of more than ten years and after hearing expressions from the lips of many people from various walks of life, we believe we can truthfully say:"None knew him but to love him or named him but to praise."
      He leaves to mourn their loss an aged and devoted wife, two sons, three daughters, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a circle of relatives and friends as large as his acquaintance. [Source: Gallipolis paper, December 20, 1915, Transcribed by Maxine Marshall]
    Died 20 Dec 1915  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    Cause: of chronic myocarditis 


    • OBITUARY
    Obituary 21 Dec 1915 
    The Gallipolis Daily Tribune, December 21, 1915 

    • Jacob Riggs Dead
      One of Gallia's Oldest and Best Citizens Passes
      Jacob Riggs, one of Gallia county's most prominent old citizens, passed away at his home near Raccoon Island at a little after the noon hour Monday, December 20, 1915. Mr. Riggs was born in Monroe county, O., January 22, 1824, the son of James and Mary Riggs, and came to this county when quite young. He was county commissioner for a number of years in Gallia county. He was an industrious man, kind and generous with all he came in contact with and esteemed by many friends and considered one of Gallia county's best citizens.
      Mr. Riggs is survived by his widow Mrs. Elizabeth Riggs, daughters, Misses Rose and Mary, Mrs. Bert Ingels and sons, Edward and Ernest and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
      The funeral will be conducted by Rev. J.R. Fields at Clay Chapel Wednesday at 2 P.M., eastern time, interment to follow at the chapel cemetery under direction of Wetherholt.
      Mr. and Mrs. Riggs celebrated their sixty-eight year of wedded life some time ago.
      In the palmy days of the White Collar Line boats Jacob Riggs was one of the biggest cattle shippers that went to the Cincinnati market. He is said to have made possible the building of Clay Chapel a Methodist
      place of worship. The fine big bell on Clay Chapel formerly on the big sidewheel packet of St. Lawrence of 25 years back was presented to Mr. Riggs who placed the bell in the belfry of Clay Chapel where it has performed services for many years. [Note: He served as a 1st Sergeant in the Squirrel Hunters.] [Source: Gallipolis Daily Tribune, December 21, 1915, Transcribed by Henny Evans http://www.galliagenealogy.org/Civil%20War/CW_obits/cwobits_r-s.htm]
    Buried 22 Dec 1915  Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 14
    Address:
    Clay Chapel Cemetery 
    Newspaper 15 Feb 1916  [15
    The Gallipolis Daily Tribune (Gallipolis, Ohio), 15 February 1916, p1 

    • MR. AND MRS. JACOB RIGGS
      A Former Pastor of Theirs Writes of Their Characters.
      Writing to us from Albany, NY, the Rev. Joseph Clarke, who was pastor at Clay Chapel in 1889, says among other things of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riggs.
      To fully appreciate the characters of Jacob and Elizabeth Riggs, one must have touched them in their prime must have come into contact with them when they were active factors in the life of the community, before the "keepers of the house trembled," before the shoulders were bowed, before steps became wearied and slow, before physical vigor waned.
      The real Jacob and Elizabeth Riggs were unknown to the present generation. Their years were extended into it, but to today's Gallia County citizenship Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were simply relics of "days long gone by" — mere shadows of what they once were in industry and community activity. Honored have been the young people of the past decade who have been privileged to touch this aged couple in their declining years (as one is honored to greet patriarchs as they pass out), but privileged indeed have been those who knew Jacob and Elizabeth Riggs at their physical, mental and spiritual best, when they moved simply and unostentatiously among neighbors with strength and with a benign influence of which they seemed wholly unconscious.
      I remember an occasion when Mr. Riggs walked three miles through the mud over the hills to examine some hogs a certain farmer was anxious to sell. The market was down and the purchase price was necessarily low. Taxes were due and the man needed the money Mr. Riggs knew that if the farmer could hold the hogs for a month he could sell them at a much higher rate. Did Mr. Riggs buy them? No! He voluntarily loaned the farmer enough cash to pay the pressing taxes, and in a month bought the hogs, paying for them the higher market price. In other words he walked six miles, lost a half a day, and loaned a distressed neighbor $200 tax money, without interest, in order to help him out of a hole, and make it possible to tide over a season of depressed prices until the hog market was better. The huge thing about the transaction was this, Mr. Riggs was glad to do it, for he lived by the Golden Rule.
      Mrs. Riggs was a real missionary to the needy. Hundreds of people will recall her deeds of mercy. The poor and the sick and the unfortunate always found in her a friend. And her bounty and ministry were done so quietly that even her left hand knew not what her right hand had done. Such people cannot live 75 years in a community without uplifting.
    Obituary

    • Jacob Riggs Dead
      One of Oldest and Best Loved Residents of County Passes.
      Hon. Jacob Riggs, one of the most venerable and best loved men in Gallia County, passed away at his home at Clay Chapel in Clay township Monday after a week's illness. He had been in failing health for several years. The funeral services will be held Wednesday at Clay Chapel at 2 p.m. Eastern time, conducted by Rev. J. R. Fields, the interment following in the church cemetery.
      Mr. Riggs was born in Monroe County, this state on Jan. 22, 1824, and moved to Gallia County with his parents, James and Mary Riggs when about eight years of age. His parents were among the pioneer settlers in that section, and the rugged physique, honest purpose and upright life which they led was passed on in full measure to their son.
      On March 4, 1848, almost 68 years ago, Mr. Riggs was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Guthrie of Clay township, and who survives him with the following children: Misses Rose and Mary Riggs, Mrs. B. H. Ingels, Mr. Edward Riggs, and Mr. Ernest Riggs, the latter now of Marietta. One brother, Harvey Riggs, located in the west, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Hall of Bloomington, Ill., survive him, both at great age.
    Person ID I6846  TangledRoots
    Last Modified 27 Sep 2021 

    Father James Riggs,   b. 16 Mar 1794, Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Jul 1870, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Mother Mary Bare,   b. 8 Jan 1802, Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Jun 1888, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Married 22 Dec 1820  Washington County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F2731  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Mary Guthrie,   b. 24 Aug 1828, Newbury, Washington County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Jan 1916, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years) 
    Married 28 Mar 1848  Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [16
    Notes 

    • A TRUE FATHER AND MOTHER IN ISRAEL
      Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Riggs
      On the 28th of March, near __?__ and Mrs. Jacob Riggs of Raccoon Island will have rounded out the 66th year of their married life. This is a privilege permitted to a very few, and is a record unigue in Gallia County, if not in the entire state. Mr. Riggs was born in Monroe county, Ohio, on Jan. 22, 1824, and only last month passed his 90th milestone. He, with his parents, located in Gallia county in 1832.
      Elizabeth Gutherie was born in Washington county on August 24, 1828, and moved with her parents, Truman and Hannah Gutherie, to this county in 1833. She and Mr. Riggs were married on March 28, 1848. They began their married life on a 100-acre farm, now known as "River-side," near Raccoon Island, where they lived until the death of Mr. Riggs' father in 1870, when they bought the "home place" where they now reside.
      Mr. and Mrs. Riggs were blessed with eight children, five of whom are now living, viz: Edward, Mary, Rose, Celicia (Mrs. B. H. Ingels) and Ernest, who was formerly connected with the State Dairy and Food Commission, but now a staff man at the Agricultural Experiment station at Wooster. Three, Mrs. W. D. Graham, Mrs. George Gilman and James, Have passed away from earth. Besides these, a niece and two grandchildren were raised and educated by Mr. and Mrs. Riggs.
      Mr. Riggs has always lived the life of an earnest, sober, Christian gentleman. He never used tobacco nor liquor in his life, and has always borne himself in such manner as to command the respect of all. As a county commissioner for six years he made an honorable record, but cared naught for political preferment and that was his only venture into public life.
      This worthy couple is now approaching the shadow land, each happy in the other's companionship. Much of life's happiness has been their's and much of its sorrows. They have lived and are content. And with the Psalmist, they can say "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.....Yea, though I walk through the valley of ___?___of death, I will fear no evil, for thos art with me.....and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." [Source: Gallipolis, Ohio, Wedensday, February 25, 1914 - old tattered newspaper clipping]
    Children 
     1. Laura Francis Riggs,   b. 20 May 1849, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Feb 1884, Eureka, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 34 years)
     2. Edward Alexander Riggs,   b. 28 Dec 1851, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Dec 1917, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years)
     3. Mary Hannah Riggs,   b. Nov 1853, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jan 1935, Athens Township, Athens County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     4. Rosella Belle Riggs,   b. 3 Aug 1857, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 May 1927, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     5. James Truman Riggs,   b. 7 Dec 1859, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Feb 1898, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 38 years)
     6. Jessie Freemont Riggs,   b. 11 Apr 1862, Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Dec 1891, New Richmond, Clermont County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 29 years)
     7. Cecelia Elizabeth Riggs,   b. 18 Aug 1864, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Mar 1942, Union Township, Ross County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     8. Ernest Jacob Riggs,   b. 19 Jun 1873, Clay Township, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Oct 1959, Gallia County, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
    Last Modified 16 Jan 2022 
    Family ID F2747  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart