John A Rigsbee (1826 - 1900)

Born 28 Feb 1826 in Guilford Co., NC, USA

Ancestors

Died 31 Dec 1900 at age 74 in Union County, Indiana

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Biography

Sources

Pilgrim, Karen - "George O Riggsbee (b. 1808, d. 28 Feb 1826)" - http://tinyurl.com/blzfpwt

http://www.countyhistory.com/books/doc.fayet/503.htm John Rigsby. One of the prominent and honored early settlers of Union County is the gentleman of whom this sketch is penned. For over forty years he has owned and managed the fine farm of one hundred and ten acres in Center Township, where he is still living. In his youth he mastered the carpenter's trade, which he followed for sixteen years exclusively, and to a certain extent for many years thereafter, but during the latter part of his life he has devoted himself to agriculture with splendid results. He is a practical, thorough-going farmer, understanding every department of work connected with the proper supervision of a country home of this extent, and success has abundantly rewarded his persevering, well-directed labors. Now, in his declining years, he may look backward over the pathway he has come and truly feel that his efforts have been blessed, and have few regrets for idle days and wasted moments. To his loving and devoted mother Mr. Rigsby owes more than to anyone else in life. He was born after the death of his father, in Guilford County, North Carolina, February 28, 1826. The bereaved widow, with her eight little children, came to this state in 1827, as her kind brother, William Clark, had advised and counseled her to do. Three of her sisters were then living in this locality, also. Arriving here, Mrs. Rigsby lived upon a farm belonging to her brother and reared her children to be useful citizens of the several communities in which they took up their abode. She died at the age of fifty-six years, having bravely struggled to do a mother's part by her loved ones, who have great reason to cherish her memory and who are glad to have her name enrolled among the heroic pioneer women of this county. Only two of her children survive, the eldest one, Mary, wife of James Ward, of Preble County, and John, of this sketch. George, who died at the age of seventy-three years, was a farmer and carpenter of Union Township, and his widow and children still live in the old home there. Edmund was a farmer of Liberty Township, and died when fifty-seven years old. Several of the daughters married and went to Iowa. About 1856, having acquired a comfortable sum of money by his long-continued employment at the carpenter's trade, Mr. Rigsby, of this article, purchased the farm, which he now carries on, of his uncle, William Clark. He has raised a general line of crops and has made the feeding of hogs and cattle a profitable source of revenue. His youngest son, Franklin Alexander, has taken the more arduous work of the farm from his father's shoulders of late years and is a straightforward young farmer, well liked by every one. He chose for his wife Miss Fanny A. Moffett. In the year 1848 John Rigsby was united in marriage with Lovisa Pritchard, who died two years later and left a son, William M., now living near Richmond. Six years subsequent to the death of his first wife Mr. Rigsby married Isabel, daughter of William and Phoebe Rutherford, of Liberty Township, Union County. Mrs. Rigsby was born in that district and is now the only member of her family residing in this county. They were early settlers here, coming to Indiana from Pennsylvania. To John and Isabel Rigsby a son and daughter were born, the former being Franklin A., mentioned above. The daughter is Mary, wife of John Keeler, a farmer of this neighborhood. For ten years or more our subject and wife have been faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at College Corner. In his political affiliations Mr. Rigsby is a Republican.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to George Stradtman for starting this profile.

Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by George and others.