The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-07-01

A Happy Reunion.
A family reunion, so full and interesting,
never occurred before, perhaps, in Kansas, and
very seldom in the older States, rs that OF the
family Of Joseph Riggs, sr., of Portsmouth, o..
which met in Emporia this week. Four gene
ratiOns were represented.
We feel like giving considerable space 20 II.
as IL affords an illustration Of the manner in
which our young State has been populated and
IL filling up-an illustration as well Of the
character rs Of the numbers Of people who are
developing her resources, and giving her an
honorable name and position in the Union Of
States.
Mr.. Riggs, senior, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, and will be "A years Of
age on Saturday next. He was the oldest of a
family Of eleven children. His father moved
to Steubenyille, Ohio, In 1909. In 1917 Mr.
Riggs, the subject Of this paragraph, being
then OF age, went TO Adams county, Ohio, and
soon after located in Portsmouth, where he has
resided ever since. In 1924 he was elected Au-
ditor Of his county, which position he held I'M
I'll he was elected, in 1881, to the State Senate
an office he held during 1881, '32 and '33. He
subsequently spent many years in mercan tile
business, acquired competence, and retired
from active business about Is years ago. He
has been interested for the most part since in
seeing his children established in their several
pursuits, and with what degree OF success and
satisfaction the sequel OF this sketch may par
TALLY show. Mr.. Riggs came to Kansas some
years ago, and being well pleased with the
country, he went home, and recommended the
State TO his boys as the place for them TO COM
menee their life work.
Acting upon the advice OF his father, Samuel
A, the second son and fifth Of the family of
children, came to Kansas and located in Law
renee in 1888, where he commenced the prac-
tice Of law. The name OF Samuel A. Riggs
has since become familiar one to the people
of Kansas. He was elected District Attorney
In 1861, at the time OF the State organization.
and served two terms. Mr.. Riggs was elected
to the State Senate from Douglas county In
1857. lie resigned this Office TO accept the Of
fee Of u. s. District Attorney under the adj
ministrRtion, but not as n friend or advocate,
Of the renegade, A. johnson. His position at
the bar and influence in the State are now we'll
known and honored.
Joseph E., the third son living. came to Kan
sas soon after the Quantrell raid, and went In
TO business rs partner Of his brother Samuel.
He dissolved this connection after about three
years, and went TO the Indian Territory rs the
Secretary OF the Southern Indian Superinten-
deney, then In charge Of his brother-in-Iaw.
Col. L. n. Robinson. he returned to Law
renee about u year ago, and is now doing
very large and prosperous real estate business.
Stephen B., the oldest son, and the third
child living, came to Kansas about year ago.
and located In Imports, and with Howard
Dunlap, his nephew, and L. C. Robinson, Of
Portsmouth,, Ohio, under the firm name Of
Riggs, Dunlap & Co., has been doing q success
fui banking business. They are just putting
the finishing touches on a fine brick house,
built especially for their business.
Mrs. Eliza, the second daughter, aud wife of
Col. L. N. Robinson. OF the Robinson House,
this city, with her husband and family, came
TO Emporia last fall. ~.
Charles H., the next to the youngest son, was
the fifth Of this family who sought a home in
Kansas. He came to Emporia in September,
last, and went into the real estate business
with II. Z. Norton. ,f-.rs-s. macao
At reunion Of the family in Portsmouth
last year, Il was determined to meet annually
In this way. AS so many had moved to Kan
sas, IL was arranged to meet here. Therefore
II was that Mrs. Rebecca A. Kendall, the old
est daughter, came from Sacramento, Califor-
MIA, 10 meet her father, and her brothers and
sisters In Emporia. Mrs. Kendall is the mother
OF five children and seven grand children,
whom she left in California. Harriet L. Dun
lap, the third daughter living, who resides In
Pittsburg, Pa, came, bringing with her three
children. Martha Robinson, the youngest
daughter, and widow Of Joshua r. Robinson,
who died In the army in 1862, came frsm Ports
mouth, Ohio, bringing her one child. Alexan-
der B., the youngest son, and ninth Of the chill
dren living, recently graduated at Union The
illogical Seminary, New York, and on Sunday
preached the first sermon he ever delivered be-
fore his father and family. He has been called
to church in Fort Plains, New York. He has
accepted the call, and we believe goes from
here to his new field Of labor.
On Wednesday, all being present who were
expected. they held a picnic in beautiful
grove on the banks Of the Cottonwood. two
miles southeast OF Emporia. The following is
a summary Of the family of fur generations
there eongregated: