Charles Wilson Riggs

May 15, 1903 Henry Times

Charles Wilson Riggs, whose death was mentioned in our Friday issue was born in New Jersey in 1825 and consequently was 78 years of age. When he was quite young the family moved to Pennsylvania, where he was married.

In 1853 he moved to Ohio and in January, 1864 enlisted in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, where he served 10 months to the end of the war. In 1888 they came to Illinois settling near Wenona but after a year or so moved to Ancona where about nine years ago his wife died. In 1896 he came to Henry where he has since made his home with his daughter, Mrs. W. W. Gehring, occasionally making visits of longer or shorter duration with his other children.

About a year ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis and lay in a precarious condition for several weeks but finally rallied though never quite recovered. About the first of April while on a visit to his son, George, in Ancona, he received another stroke, which affected his entire side and since then he has been failing having scarcely eaten anything since he was stricken. Last Wednesday he became unconscious and Friday morning at 10:30 he quietly breathed his last.

He was the father of nine children, seven of whom survived him. On Saturday morning the remains were taken to the boat, escorted by a number of G.A.R. comrades and taken to Chillicothe and then by the Santa Fe to Ancona, where funeral services were held in the Christian church and he as laid to rest by the side of his wife.

The living children are Mrs. Gehring and John, of Henry; Charles of Wenona; George, of Ancona; William and Fred of near Streator, and Joseph of Peru.

Mr. Riggs was a quiet unassuming man, a good neighbor and a pleasant companion.

Submitted by Scott and Sandy Skipper