Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Briggs, Hiram C. 1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net August 24, 2010, 8:27 pm The Portland Observer, Thursday, August 8, 1912 Following a state of ill health extending for a period of several years, Hiram C. Briggs, who by the death of the late Augustus Selleck, remained as the oldest citizen of Portland township and among the oldest of the county, died Monday afternoon at the home of his son, Jed H. Briggs, in his 93d year. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the late home, conducted by Rev. David F. Millard, and the remains were taken to the Simmons cemetery, in Eagle township, for burial. Born in the township of Mansfield, Mass., May 18, 1819, Mr. Briggs moved to New York state with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Briggs, at the age of two years, the family settling on a farm in the township of Bristol, Ontario county. Mr. Briggs’ father followed the life of a seaman for 24 years while a resident of Massachusetts, and two uncles also sailed the Atlantic at that time. It was not until the month of April, 1822, that Mr. Briggs’ father settled permanently with his family on the New York farm. The Briggs family sold their farm in 18—(illegible), and the following year Mr. Briggs decided to come west for the purpose of locating a home of his own. Cyrus Briggs, a brother, and David A. Simmons had previously visited the “Grand river country,” as it was then called, and were so well pleased with the land in this section that they decided to locate here permanently. On Sept. 4, 1837, Mr. Briggs left Bristol, N.Y., with a load of goods belonging to David A. Simmons, an ox team being used for the drive across country. Arriving in Buffalo he was joined by his brother, Cyrus, and Mr. Simmons, with their families, and the party started the trip to Michigan. Taking a boat to Detroit the party arrived there two days later, hired two ox teams and set off for Novi, Oakland county, where several days were spent with friends. Then the party left for Clinton county, where they later acquired considerable land in the township of Eagle. Arriving in the village now called Laingsburg the party learned from Dr. Laings, after whom the town was named, that a number of Indians in that vicinity were suffering from small pox. Later the caravan met several Indians on the road, and motioned them to turn out. The redskins were aware that the party feared the disease, and retreated into the woods. The travelers arrived at DeWitt village the following day, and the next night was spent near Wacousta. West of Wacousta the caravan was given a hearty welcome by a number of early pioneers, including Alexander Chapel and Jeremiah Eddy, for many years residents of that vicinity. Messrs. Chapel and Eddy helped the party to underbrush a road which led to the territory in Eagle where the Briggs and Simmons families settled. In 1838 Mr. Briggs returned to his old home in Bristol, N.Y., where he remained until the fall of 1839. Returning to Eagle township he spent several years clearing the land which he had taken up from the government. He finally settled permanently on section 9, of that township, where he made his home for 43 years, moving to Portland in 1899. On May 4, 1844, Mr. Briggs was married to Caroline R. Tyler, of Orange township, who passed before him four years ago. Four children were born to them, but two surviving. They are Jed H. Briggs, of Portland, and A. E. Briggs, of Lansing. In political faith, Mr. Briggs was a staunch republican, and had held most of the important offices in Eagle township. During the rebellion he served three terms as township treasurer, and was supervisor in 1871-72. He was a devout Christian, and attended church regularly until his health forbid. He had been a member of the Masonic order for more than 40 years. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/b/briggs8677nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb