Briggs, Elias
From Lane Co Oregon
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=History= | =History= | ||
| + | Elias married Mary Briggs in [[1847]].[http://www.oregonpioneers.com/1847.htm] [[Briggs, Isaac|Isaac]], his wife [[Briggs, Betsey|Elizabeth "Betsey"]], [[Briggs, Elias|Elias M.]] and [[Briggs, Mary|Mary Briggs]] originally had lived in Iowa but decided to move westward in [[1847]] after they had pioneered the Church of Christ in Iowa. The family planned to bring hives of bees but lost them when his wagon overturned in water.[http://www.oregonpioneers.com/1847.htm] They arrived in the winter of [[1848]] through the South Road (another name for the Applegate Trail) to [[Pleasant Hill]]. There, they were charter members of that [[Church of Christ (Pleasant Hill)|active church]], then relocated to the Springfield area. Donation land claim records list their filing date on 640 acres as October [[1849]]. (Geneaological Forum of Portland 1957): | ||
| - | + | [Briggs] chose as the site of his dwelling a spot convenient to a [[Briggs' Spring|spring of water]] that sent up its bubbled with ceaseless energy. A portion of the prairie where stood this found in due time was fenced in the enclosure becoming known as the Spring-field - - hence the name of the town. Here for two years dwelt the Briggs family, the father and his belongings removing at the end of that time to a farm about a mile and a half from their original location. The father and son conducted the [[Springfield-Glenwood Ferry service|ferry]] where the fine bridge spans the Willamette. (Walling 1884:452). In the early [[:Category:1850s|1850s]], the settlement of Springfield consisted only of a ferry service across the Willamette, the [[Briggs' house]], two mills, a trading post and a school. | |
| - | [ | + | In [[1852]], using shovel and plow, he built the [[Millrace_(Springfield)|Millrace]]. After the Millrace was completed, he did a new venture. In partnership with Jeremiah Driggs and Thomas Monteith, two Linn County millers who financed the enterprise, as the [[Briggs and Driggs Company]] to build the flour and sawmills in [[1853]] and [[1854]]. They were not the usual slap-dash mills built in pioneer communities for temporary and local consumption only, but instead, were designed and constructed under the supervision of an experienced millwright hired from the East Coast. They used the latest and best machinery and spending $10,000 on the two mills. The grist mill was the first flouring mill in [[Lane County]], and the sawmill, which featured a sash saw, had the distinction of supplying the lumber for building the first county courthouse. |
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| + | We do not know just when the church began meeting, but by [[1871]] the Springfield Church reported 60 members. Early members included both Briggs families and Dr. [[Owsley, William M.|William M.]] and [[Owsley, Mariah|Mariah Owsley]]. | ||
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| - | + | Although Springfield was established as a small industrial center, the census of [[1850]] and [[1860]] clearly shows that an overwhelming majority of the settlers in the area were engaged in agriculture (U.S. Census Office 1850, 1860). Even the Briggs family continued to farm, while maintaining their commercial enterprises. | |
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| - | Although Springfield was established as a small industrial center, the census of [[1850]] and | + | |
| - | [[1860]] clearly shows that an overwhelming majority of the settlers in the area were engaged in | + | |
| - | agriculture (U.S. Census Office 1850, 1860). Even the Briggs | + | |
| - | maintaining their commercial enterprises. | + | |
[-[[Springfield Beacon]], Wednesday, August 1st, 2007, B4] | [-[[Springfield Beacon]], Wednesday, August 1st, 2007, B4] | ||
Revision as of 00:25, 10 September 2007
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| Elias M. Briggs | |
|---|---|
| Personal Identity | |
| Occupation | Farmer, City Planner, City Builder |
| Birthplace | Kentucky |
| Birthdate | 1823 |
| Death | 1896 |
| Place of Burial | |
| Family | "Uncle" Isaac Briggs (father), Mary Briggs (wife), children, Isaac R. Briggs (unknown relationship), Robert Briggs (unknown relationship) |
| Personality & Physical nature | |
| Education | |
| Hobbies & Interests | |
| Religion | Christian |
| Gender | Male |
| Heritage | White |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Social information | |
| Affiliation | |
| Residence | Springfield |
History
Elias married Mary Briggs in 1847.[1] Isaac, his wife Elizabeth "Betsey", Elias M. and Mary Briggs originally had lived in Iowa but decided to move westward in 1847 after they had pioneered the Church of Christ in Iowa. The family planned to bring hives of bees but lost them when his wagon overturned in water.[2] They arrived in the winter of 1848 through the South Road (another name for the Applegate Trail) to Pleasant Hill. There, they were charter members of that active church, then relocated to the Springfield area. Donation land claim records list their filing date on 640 acres as October 1849. (Geneaological Forum of Portland 1957):
[Briggs] chose as the site of his dwelling a spot convenient to a spring of water that sent up its bubbled with ceaseless energy. A portion of the prairie where stood this found in due time was fenced in the enclosure becoming known as the Spring-field - - hence the name of the town. Here for two years dwelt the Briggs family, the father and his belongings removing at the end of that time to a farm about a mile and a half from their original location. The father and son conducted the ferry where the fine bridge spans the Willamette. (Walling 1884:452). In the early 1850s, the settlement of Springfield consisted only of a ferry service across the Willamette, the Briggs' house, two mills, a trading post and a school.
In 1852, using shovel and plow, he built the Millrace. After the Millrace was completed, he did a new venture. In partnership with Jeremiah Driggs and Thomas Monteith, two Linn County millers who financed the enterprise, as the Briggs and Driggs Company to build the flour and sawmills in 1853 and 1854. They were not the usual slap-dash mills built in pioneer communities for temporary and local consumption only, but instead, were designed and constructed under the supervision of an experienced millwright hired from the East Coast. They used the latest and best machinery and spending $10,000 on the two mills. The grist mill was the first flouring mill in Lane County, and the sawmill, which featured a sash saw, had the distinction of supplying the lumber for building the first county courthouse.
We do not know just when the church began meeting, but by 1871 the Springfield Church reported 60 members. Early members included both Briggs families and Dr. William M. and Mariah Owsley.
Although Springfield was established as a small industrial center, the census of 1850 and 1860 clearly shows that an overwhelming majority of the settlers in the area were engaged in agriculture (U.S. Census Office 1850, 1860). Even the Briggs family continued to farm, while maintaining their commercial enterprises.
[-Springfield Beacon, Wednesday, August 1st, 2007, B4]
1880s
1880 Census shows the following people within the same household:
Briggs, Elias M. aged 56. Born about 1824 in Kentucky. Residence: Coast Fork, Lane, Oregon.Spouse: Mary
Mary, aged 54. Mother's birthplace: Kentucky
Isaac R Briggs, aged 23. Relationship: Son. Estimated birth year: abt 1857. Birthplace: Oregon. Farmer. Race: White. Gender: Male. Status: Single.
Abraham L Briggs, aged 13. Relationship: Son. Estimated birth year: abt 1867. Birthplace: Oregon. Occupation: Attending School. Race: White. Gender: Male. Status: Single.
Charles W Briggs, aged 11. Relationship: Son. Estimated birth year: abt 1869. Birthplace: Oregon. Occupation: Attending School. Race: White. Gender: Male. Status: Single.
George E Briggs, aged 7. Relationship: Son. Estimated birth year: abt 1873. Birthplace: Oregon. Occupation: Attending School. Race: White. Gender: Male. Status: Single.
Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Coast Fork, Lane, Oregon; Roll: T9_1081; Family History Film: 1255081; Page: 265.2000; Enumeration District: 66; Image: 0740.
