BRIGGS, Curtis R.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1301-1302

Curtis R. BRIGGS, one of the prominent citizens of the village of Winnebago [Winnebago County, IL], was born in Sardinia, Erie County, NY, 14 Mar 1823, and is the son of Albert BRIGGS, who was born in the town of North Greenwich, Kent County, RI, in which state his father, Ephraim BRIGGS, was also born.  The grandfather later in life went to Western NY, where he purchased land for each of his sons in the town of Sardinia, and there spent the remainder of his life with his children.  The maiden name of his wife was Nancy BURLINGAME, also a native of RI. 

The father of our subject was one in a family of nine children, and was reared and educated in his native state.  He began teaching school when a very young man, and on going to Chenango County, NY, was married in Sherburne, after which he removed to Erie County, where he was one of the pioneers of Sardinia.  He made his home upon the tract of land which had been given him by his father and erected a log house, in which he established his family until a more suitable structure could be built.  There were no railroads in the vicinity at that time, and as the markets were far distant, the inhabitants lived mostly off the products of their land.  Residing there until 1838, the parents of our subject started for IL with their family of six children, making the entire journey overland, and on 02 Jul 1838, arrived in Dixon [Lee County, IL], which at that time was little more than a hamlet.  The following day they went to Grand Detour [Ogle County, IL] and occupied a vacant log cabin which they found for a few weeks, during which time the father was engaged in seeking a suitable location.  Visiting this county, he purchaed a squatter's claim to 240 acres of land in what is now Winnebago County [was in Boone County, IL, at that time] for which he paid $750.

The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Zaviah JEWELL, who was born in Dudley, Worchester County, MA, and was the daughter of Jesse JEWELL.  She reared a family of seven children, namely:  Paulina, Curtis R. (our subject), Gleason, Irena, Irvin, May A., and Byron W.  She was a most worhty lady and departed this life at the home of her youngest son. 

Curtis R. was a lad of 15 when he came to IL with his parents, and remembers well the incidents of the overland journey and the many incidents and inconveniences to which they were subjected in their new home.  He hauled the first load of wheat to Chicago ever taken from Winnebago Township, and was given thorough training in farm pursuits.  The lady to whom he was married bore the maiden name of Rachael WOOD, of NY.  She was the daughter of Joshua WOOD, who was born in MA, and after many years of happy married life, died on 08 Jun 1874.  The lady who became the second wife of Mr. BRIGGS was Mrs. Narcissa (FOLSOM) MOORE.  Our subject joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when 18 years of age, and in politics votes with the Republican party.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.