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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. 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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G. W. RIGGS, farmer; P. O. Saybrook; is the son of William M. Riggs, one of the pioneers of this county, who settled in this township, north of Cheney’s Grove, in the year 1830, and was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Dec. 11, 1827; so he was only three years of age when his parents moved to this township. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until he was 22 years of age, assisting upon the farm; in 1849, he entered and improved the farm on Sec. 7, upon which he at present resides. He at present holds the office of School Trustee, and has for some years. He married Oct. 11, 1849, Miss Minerva W. Lewis, daughter of William D. and Nancy Lewis, of Fleming Co., Ky., who moved into this township in the year 1856; her mother died Dec. 21, 1866, her father, October, 1871. Mrs. Riggs was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Dec. 27, 1827; they had a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living — Olive J. (now Mrs. James McKinney, of Indiana, now living in Cheney’s Grove Township), born Sept. 11, 1850; Nancy H. (now Mrs. William H. Yasel, of Kansas), Dec. 11, 1851; John W., Jan. 26, 1855; Melrie L., Dec. 17, 1856; Charles B., July 29, 1859; Martin L., Nov. 13, 1861; Mary L., Nov. 6, 1863; Eva M., May 24, 1868, and Rosa B., July 24, 1870, and two deceased — William A., born Sept. 21, 1853, died June 27, 1855; Ella K., born Jan. 18, 1866, died Nov. 27, 1866.
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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879. View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois
View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies
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