BRIGGS, William, b 1863: 1905 Bio, Mesa County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/mesa/bios/briggsw.txt --------------------------------------- Donated September 29, 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- William Briggs Although now a prosperous and progressive fruit grower on a choice little farm of twelve acres, ten of which are in thrifty and prolific apple, peach and pear trees, located about one mile east of Clifton, Mesa county, this state, William Briggs was born and reared amid very different surroundings and bred to a different vocation, though his early training was somewhat in a similar line, he having been born and reared on a farm in Chautauqua county, New York. His life began on November 15, 1863, and he is the son of O.F. and Marietta (Eells) Briggs, who were of the same nativity as himself. His parents were prosperous farmers and he remained with them until 1885, when he was twenty-two years old, working on the farm and attending the public schools for a few months a year during a few years. From his home he moved to North Platte, Nebraska, in 1885, and there he was engaged in railroad work until 1894, when he came to Denver and became a railroad conductor out of that city. In the spring of 1896 he moved to Mesa county, settling on a twelve-acre fruit farm which he bought, and ten acres of which were already in fruit trees two years old. Here he is still living and in conducting the place he has greatly prospered with the promise of still more extensive returns for his industry. In the season of 1903 he sold one thousand five hundred dollars worth of superior fruit from the place, and each year the product of his orchard increases. On February 13, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Blaser, a native of Switzerland born on August 27, 1865. She is the daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Beangerter) Blaser, and came to the United States when she was sixteen years old. Mr. Briggs had three brothers and three sisters, all of whom are living. In his own household three children have been born, Cora M., William G. and Arthur A., and they are all still living at home. He is an active member of the United Workmen and is a zealous follower of the political fortunes of the Republican party. He is prosperous in his business, enterprising in reference to public improvements in his neighborhood, warmly interested in the welfare of his county and ardently devoted to the institutions of his adopted state. Among her people he is well esteemed as an enterprising and progressive man and an excellent citizen. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.