My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Webster County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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William S. Riggs, farmer and stock raiser and dealer, was born in Maury County, Tenn., February 26, 1829, and is a son of A. J. and Peternella (Wray) Riggs, who were North Carolinians, and were married in their native State. After moving to Tennessee they settled in Maury County, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1852. William S. Riggs remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he began doing for himself, and in 1854 went to Texas, and afterward returned to his home in Tennessee via Missouri. In 1855 he took up his abode in Greene County, Mo., and was there married in March, 1856, to Miss Emily J. McCracken, who was born in Tennessee, but was reared in Greene County. They engaged in farming near Springfield, and in 1867 moved to that city and engaged in keeping a hotel, following this occupation for twenty years. In 1885 he purchased the farm where he now resides, but has only lived upon it since 1887. His farm consists of 350 acres, nearly all of which is bottom land, and 250 acres are under cultivation and well improved with good buildings. He has a nice bearing orchard of six acres, and has one-half acre in vineyard. Mr. Riggs ships considerable stock, but usually finds a ready market at home. His children’s names are as follows: Mary, wife of H. Thackery, residing in Springfield; Robert, who is married and resides on the home farm; William S. and John A. The last two named are twins.

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This family biography is one of 110 biographies included in The History of Webster County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Webster County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Webster County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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