McNAIRY COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - NELSON C. RIGGS ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping, with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic Pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Douglas H. Prather douglas-memphis@worldnet.att.net =============================================================== McNairy County Independent, March 18,1924 NELSON C. RIGGS It is a strange coincidence that on the same night in the old town of Purdy, the grim reaper stalked forth, and gathered in the souls of two of the county's prominent and distinguished citizens, neighbors and friends for a long time, and business associates; one a lawyer, the other a prosperous and substantial business man, Judge James F. McKinney and Nelson C. Riggs. The latter died in the early morning hours of May 22, 1880, his neighbor and friend, Judge McKinney, preceding him only a few hours. Mr. Riggs was older than Judge McKinney, he having been born in 1810, in Orange county, North Carolina. He was born just after the close of the administration of Thomas Jefferson, and only a short time before the second war with Great Britain. His father was named John Riggs, and his mother a Miss Carrington. He came to Henderson county three years before McNairy county was formed, and very soon after attaining his majority he came to McNairy county. He married a Miss Blakely in 1833. There was a son born to this union, Marcus L. Riggs, who was gallant Confederate soldier, and was in the 154th Tennessee Regiment, at the battle of Franklin. There in that terrible engagement he was killed. This young soldier was a very popular and most exemplary young man. His wife died, and he married again this time to a Miss Blackshire, this being in 1844. Three children were born, one of the number being remembered by many as Bascom Riggs, who has long since died. He married again after the death of his second wife, to a Miss McLaughlin, and she died in 1876. Two years later he married Miss Maggie Pharr, known to all of us now as Mrs. Srainback. Mr. Riggs was a church man, a member of the Methodist church, and took an active part in all matters pertaining to the church and its work. He was in the early days of the county, one of the sheriffs, and later was Clerk and Master. By strict attention to business, he amassed considerable property. He was of that number of the early settlers in the county, who had none of the advantages that later come to the boys of the county. But in spite of his surroundings, and the lack of facilities, he grounded himself in the fundamentals and rudiments, and by patient application obtained an education. There are those living who will remember the home of this old citizen. It stood on the south side of the road leading east from Purdy to Adamsville and Savannah, and was the last house to be seen in leaving Purdy going east. He died in the old Riggs home a two story building on the south side of town. On an afternoon in May, 1880, in the old town of Purdy, more than forty years ago, in the old brick church, there was a double funeral service. Surrounded by loved ones, who had gathered in large numbers, lay the bodies of Judge McKinney and Col. Riggs. An eminent Methodist divine, Dr. W. T. Harris, a nephew of the illustrious Ishal G. Harris, delivered a most eloquent funeral sermon. Then the solemn march to the cemetery, and both of these old citizens were buried. There they sleep in sight of the town they loved, and where old and stately cedars cast their shadows across their graves; where the wild birds sing, and flowers grow in wild profusion all about, and clinging vines hold in their embraces the marble and granite monuments erected to the memories of them who sleep in that sanctuary in that silent city of the dead. REMINISCENCES of the EARLY SETTLEMENT and EARLY SETTLERS of McNairy County, Tennessee by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, Published in 1882 Pages 71 and 72 NELSON CARRINGTON RIGGS. Nelson Carrington Riggs was born in Orange county, North Carolina, December 17, 1810. His father, John Riggs, married a Miss Carrington. John Riggs was a farmer and shoemaker. He was a man at that time like most North Carolinians who came to this county----of small means. Nelson C. was the oldest child. His parents moved to Henderson county, Tenn., when he was 10 years old. He lived with his parents, together with six brothers and sisters, in Henderson county until he was in his majority, when he moved to McNairy county, and engaged. On October 7, 1833, he married a Miss Blakely, and lived with her happily in their humble home for several years, when she died. There was born unto them Marcus L. Riggs, who reached manhood, and during the war was a Confederate soldier in the 154th Tennessee Regiment; was killed in line at Franklin, Tenn. He was at that time the only grown son of Nelson C., and was an exceedingly popular and brilliant man. His lose was keenly felt by his father. After the death of his first wife he married Emily Blackshire on March 21, 1844, with whom he lived -and had born to them three children, the only one now surviving being R. B. Riggs, a young man now married and living in Purdy. His second wife died in 1853, and he married Miss Angie MeLaughlin, with whom he lived in Purdy until her death, in 1876. In February, 1878, he again married, Miss Maggie L. Pharr, with whom he lived until his death, which occurred very suddenly on the morning of May 22, 1880. At the age of 30 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church (South.) He was a devoted Christian and Sunday school worker. Was superintendent of the Purdy Sunday-school at the time of his death. He believed in heartfelt religion, and was prominent as a public worker in all revivals. He held the office of Sheriff for many years in the county. was Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court after the war. He was an old Line Whig, with strong. feelings in his political belief. During the war he was an inactive Unionist. and after the war an independent voter. He had, by a peculiar diligence to the question of finance, accumulated quite a respectable fortune, and was actively engaged in making money at the time of his death. He had many warm friends drawn to him by his force of character, his strict sense of honor and duty, and many other noble qualities possessed by him in an eminent degree. Nelson C. Riggs was truly a self-made man, for he had. few advantages in early life. but his example shows what a man can make of himself. when he determines to make, the beat of the advantages God has given him. He was a man of fine intellect, and rare judgment. He never did anything hastily or from impulse, but weighed every matter with careful consideration and seldom failed to meet with success. He was a kind and considerate husband and father, and was never happier than when in the sacred precincts of his home. His loss is greatly felt by many in the county, for he was a staunch friend, and a friend in need to many. He lies in the Purdy cemetery, where a white shaft marks his last resting place, and flowers strewn by loving hands bedeck the new made grave. His memory will remain long in the hearts of many of the people of McNairy county. J. W. P