The following biography was previously posted to the Minnesota GenWeb archives. Doug Peterson Memorial Record of Southwestern Minnesota 1897 Lewis Publishing Company Chicago, Illinois STEPHEN H. BRIGGS For many years this gentleman has resided in southwestern Minnesota, and his name is inseparably connected with the agricultural and commercial interests in this region. His thoroughly American spirit and his great energy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs as his fine sense of order and complete system, and the habits of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any undertaking is never an assured fact. He is a man of intrinsic worth, esteemed in all the relations of his life, and in this volume well deserves mention. Stephen H. Briggs was born in Broome county, New York, on the 22d of April, 1836, and comes of a family of English origin that was founded in America at an early day. His grandparents were Abiathar and Johanna Rounsville Briggs, New England people who removed to New York and spent their last days in Cortland county. The former died at the age of seventy-eight, the latter at the age of seventy-five. The parents of our subject were Abiathar and Huldah Coombs Briggs. The father was a native of Middleboro, Massachusetts, and served as one of the minute men in the war of 1812. In 1859 he came to Minnesota and died in Traverse at the age of seventy-five. His wife, who was born in Vermont, died in New York, at the age of sixty-seven. The first year after the arrival of the family in Minnesota, Mr. Briggs, of this review, engaged in teaching school. He then rented a farm. He had acquired a good education in Cortland Academy of New York, and had successfully followed teaching for one term in the Empire state, three terms in Wisconsin and two in Minnesota, but wishing to acquire some property he at length bought forty acres of land and began its cultivation. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey he chose Miss Cynthia Doty, and their marriage was celebrated October 28, 1862. The lady was born in Tompkins county, New York, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children, but only three are now living, namely: Frank, who was born in Minnesota and is now managing an elevator and a creamery at Traverse; George A. is operating the home farm; and Mary E., the youngest, is also at home. Upon his marriage Mr. Briggs took up his abode in his present home, but the residence has since been greatly enlarged and remodeled. To his farm he has added from time to time, purchasing an additional forty acres of land as his means would permit, until he now owns a valuable tract of two hundred acres. His business ability is by no means limited to one line of endeavor and he has been the promoter of a number of interests which have added materially to the welfare and advancement of the county. He was manager of a large creamery for five years, and established the grain business which is now conducted by his son. He began buying grain in 1880 and for some years did an extensive business in that line. He carries to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his connection with any enterprise therefore insures its prosperity. He has steadily worked his way upward from a lowly position to one of affluence, and today is practically living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In 1875 Mr. Briggs was appointed to the position of county surveyor and filled that position for five years, discharging his duties in a manner most satisfactory to his constituents. He has also held a number of township offices, is the present township treasure, has served on the school board for a third of a century and is the present postmaster at Traverse. In his political adherency he is a stalwart Republican and has warmly advocated the principles of that party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He and his family are always numbered among the active supporters of any measure calculated to advance the best interests of the community and are people of sterling worth whose may excellencies of character have won them the high regard of all. (pages 392-393)