Santa Cruz County History - People

Old Soldiers: Santa Cruz County Civil War Veterans
by Robert L. Nelson

BRIGGS, JAMES R (1827-1906)

Santa Cruz Sentinel (May 11, 1904)

Our older residents will recollect J.R. Briggs of East Santa Cruz, but will be pained to hear that Mr. Briggs will never walk again, having sustained an injury to his back by falling backwards, a hog having tried to dash between his legs, which affected the locomotion of his legs.

Unidentified Newspaper (January 30, 1906) Contributed by Phil Reader

Death of James Briggs
A Former Santa Cruzan Dies in Lodi

James R. Briggs of this city, owner of a beautiful residence on Ocean View Avenue died Saturday at Lodi, Being 78 years of age.

He was born April 26, 1827 in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1849 was married to Miss Elizabeth Bush. In the Civil War he served in Company D 116th Illinois Volunteers, being first lieutenant of his company. In 1864 he crossed the plains being six months on the road and for twelve years resided in this city. He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. Pixley, and will be buried at Modesto.

He leaves five children- Mrs. Chas Rice. Mrs. James Semple, Mrs. P. Pixley, Dell Briggs and Abe Briggs.

Notes from Phil Reader

Co D 116th Inf Ill; Wm. Briggs; Friends Creek, Ill Aug 9, 1862; Deserted May 3, 1863. He also appears on Wallace-Reynolds First Muster.

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