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Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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RIGGS, J. M., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Breese. Among the early settlers and educated men of Greene County, we mention the name of James M. Riggs. He was born in Virginia in 1812, and was but a lad when his parents moved to Ohio. In his eighteenth year he attended the Ohio University, obtaining a classical education and graduating with high honors in 1826. For one season the also attended Kenyon College. The young student determined to adopt the profession of an attorney, and accordingly entered the law office of Judge Swan, of Columbus, Ohio, with him he remained for a considerable length of time, when he studied under the Hon. Samuel D. King, of Newark, and also attended a course of law lectures for the benefit of law students. Gaining admission to the bar in 1837, he practiced a short time in Ohio, when he came west and located in Carrollton, where for a short time the young attorney taught school, and then entered actively upon the practice of his profession with Judge Cavalry. For many years the struggle among the legal fraternity was an uphill one, as settlers were few, and most cases were for assault and battery. As emigration came westward, however, the county settled up rapidly and the prospects of the young attorney began to brighten. In 1842 he purchased 320 acres of land, on which he erected a saw-mill. This proved a failure. Mr. R. is an able lawyer, having for associates at the bar Judge Hodges, Judge Woodson and others. Gained a fair start in life in 1858. He was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Carriger; of this marriage two children were born, Florence and infant child; not living. Mr. R. is a fine linguist and a gentleman far above the average in ability, whose impulses are most generous.

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This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

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