JOHN WESLEY AND MINNIE (RYMAN) BRIGGS SR.

John Wesley Briggs was born January 27, 1850 in Montcalm County, Michigan. John was the son of Garner and Rachel Knapp Briggs, both of whom were born in New York. John married Minnie Ryman December 25, 1875 in Chesterfield, Macomb County, Michigan. Minnie was born March 15, 1857 in New Baltimore, Michigan to Joseph and Threase Sephart/Seifert Ryman.

John and his family moved from Reese, Guilford Township, Tuscola County, Michigan to Lakefield Township, Saginaw County, Michigan in 1894.  In the 1916 Plat Map, John and Minnie owned a 120 acre farm in Section 13 within the square mile perimeter of Chapin, Roosevelt, Steel and Lakefield Roads.

John served as Lakefield Township Overseer of Highways District #1 during the year of 1898 and also as Fence Viewer in 1898.

John W. registered to vote on March 30, 1895. Frank Briggs registered to vote on March 17, 1917, Egbert Briggs registered to vote on March 28, 1914 and Joseph registered to vote on March 18, 1918. When the women's suffrage movement was passed, Minnie was one of the first ladies in Lakefield Township to register to vote on February 8, 1919.

John W. and Minnie's children and spouses were:

1. Theodore Jerub was born March 4, 1876 in Gilford Township, Tuscola County, Michigan and married Rosa Faucher

2. Joseph Gardner was born September 27, 1880 in Gilford Township, Tuscola County, Michigan and married Julia Marsac

3. Male child born in 1885 and died April 25, 1885 in Gilford Township, Tuscola County, Michigan.

4. John Wesley Jr. was born December 23, 1888 and married Lydia Rigg

5. Egbert Leonard was born September 7, 1892 in Gilford Township, Tuscola County, Michigan and married Luella Herbage May 18, 1929.

6. Frank William was born January 12, 1896 and married Alice Pontseele

7. George Dewey was born December 27, 1898 and died September 1, 1920

John Wesley Briggs, Sr. passed away June 23, 1941 and Minnie passed away February 29, 1948. They are both buried in Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: Obituaries, Plat Maps, Michigan Marriages, World War I Draft Registration, John W. Brigg's death certificate, Death Certificates, Birth Certificates, Lakefield Township Records, Della Miller McKay's Obituary Collection, Frank Briggs' draft registration, Joseph Briggs' draft registration and Egbert Briggs' draft registration.