J. M. BRIGGS.
Veteran of the Civil War and the widely known editor and proprietor of "The Anita Republican" since 1885; J. M. Briggs was born in the county of Indiana, Pa., Feb. 1, 1838. He was educated in the common schools and at the Dayton (Pa.) Union Academy; was admitted to the bar at Indiana, in April, 1869, and practiced law until 1882, when he bought the "Mt. Ayr Onward" and engaged in newspaper work. Mr. Briggs sold this paper in 1884, and in the following year established "The Anita Republican," which he has edited and published ever since.
Mr. Briggs enlisted in Company K, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Sept. 3, 1862, and served until June, 1865, or until the conclusion of the war. He was honorably discharged with the rank of second sergeant, having participated in the important engagements at Droop Mountain (1863), Snicher's Gap, Winchester (July and September, 1864), Fisher's Hill, Jackson, Front Royal, Port Republic and Cedar Creek (1864).
In October, 1886, the year after he became a resident of Anita, Mr. Briggs joined the Meade Post, G. A. R., and was elected post commander in 1890, subsequently serving in 1902-06. His present term will expire in January, 1907. He was a delegate from Iowa to the National Encampment, which was held at Washington in 1902, after which it is perhaps needless to add that he is one of the best known members in G. A. R. circles.
From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 275.
