Joseph M. Briggs
Joseph M. Briggs, farmer, is a son of Charles Briggs, of Ross County, and was born December 29, 1842. He was reared in Ross County, and married December 30, 1869, to Sarah J., daughter of Abram McCoy, living near Washington. The union was blessed by three children: Luther, Lora May, and Maggie Catherine; all living.
January 31, 1871, he removed to his present farm, located five miles from Washington, on the Chillicothe pike, and contains one hundred and fifty-seven acres, well improved and adorned by a handsome residence, which was principally erected by himself. He donated to the Camp Grove school district, one and one-fourth acres of land, on which has been erected one of the finest school houses in the .county.
August 15, 1863, he went out with the 4th Ohio (Independent) Cavalry; was out nine months, doing active service. He was the fourth sergeant, and refused to be commissioned captain because of continued ill-health. The regiment received ammunition, etc., at Camp Dennison, then proceeded to East Tennessee, making their headquarters at Cumberland Gap, from whence they scouted in various places. At Jonesborough, they met the enemy in a bend, both galloping at full speed and neither aware that the other was approaching; our forces were overwhelmingly victorious.
Mrs. Briggs is an exemplary member of the Camp Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, I. O. O. F., at Washington. He has been a Democrat since childhood, and been school director for six years, and has taken a deep interest in educational matters, employing good teachers at a liberal salary. He farms to grain and stock.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County