The following biography was previously posted to the Minnesota GenWeb archives. Doug Peterson Nicollet and LeSueur Counties Volume II (biographies) William Gresham 1916 STEPHEN H. BRIGGS Stephen H. Briggs, successful farmer, able business man, leading citizen and former public official, was born in Boone county, New York on April 22, 1836, a son of Abiathar and Huldah (Coombs) Briggs. Abiathar Briggs was a son of Abiathar and Johanna (Rounsville) Briggs, natives of Massachusetts, and settled in Courtland county, New York, where they spent their last days, the former dying at the age of seventy-eight years; the latter at seventy-five years. Abiathar Briggs, Jr., was born at Middleboro, Massachusetts, and when a young man served in the War of 1812. In 1856 he moved to the state of Wisconsin, where he lived about three years. In 1858, Mr. Briggs came to Nicollet county, Minnesota, where he homesteaded a farm and then returned to Wisconsin, where he secured his family, whom he moved to this county in 1859. At a later time, Abiathar Briggs moved to Traverse where he died at the age of seventy-five years. Huldah, the wife of Abiathar Briggs died in New York, at the age of sixty-seven years. Stephen H. Briggs received his education in the common schools and at the Courtland Academy, New York, after which he taught school in New York state for one year and then moved with his parents to Wisconsin, where Mr. Briggs engaged in the profession of a school teacher for three years. Moving to the state of Minnesota, Mr. Briggs continued in his duties as a school teacher for a short time, after which, in 1860, he bought forty acres of land in section 12, Traverse township, this county. On his farm Mr. Briggs built a frame house in 1862, which now serves as a part of his present residence which is toady one of the best of the community. From time to time he has added to his acreage, until now he is the owner of nearly two hundred acres of land on which he engages in general farming and in the raising of live stock. Mr. Briggs specializes in live stock culture, now being the owner of a herd of about thirty cattle as well as twelve head of good grade horses. As a business man, Mr. Briggs has demonstrated his ability as an organizer, promoter and manager, having been one of the organizers of the co-operative creamery at Traverse Station, a concern which Mr. Briggs managed for many years. About the year 1880 he built a grain elevator at Traverse Station, which he managed until 1907, and he has been the promoter of other enterprises all of which have been notably successful. Some time ago Mr. Briggs surveyed a portion of his farm which adjoins Traverse Station. On October 28, 1862, Stephen H. Briggs was married to Cynthia Doty, who was born in Tompkins, New York, and who, at an early age came to Nicollet county, Minnesota. To the marriage of Stephen H. and Cynthia Briggs have been born the following children: Frank, an employee of the state insane hospital, who married Mary Kretschmer and they are the parents of four children, Byron, Marion, Margarette and Raymond; George A., a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, who makes a specialty of bee culture on the home farm, where he owns more than one hundred swarms of bees; and Mary E., a musician and piano teacher, living at home. Mr. Briggs has taken a conspicuous part in the political career in 1875, of his community for many years. He started his political career in 1875, when he was elected to the office of county surveyor; he also has been the occupant of the offices as assessor, township treasurer for Traverse township, during a term of fifteen years; clerk of the school board and a member of the school board for many years. Mr. Briggs has served his township as supervisor and was postmaster Traverse for some time. (pages 195-196)