Telegram-herald., 1890-03-13
HE'LL STAY THERE
This Does Not Apply 70 Jimmy
Blair.
BRIGGS NAME NOT 10 BEWlIHDRAgS
tie " III Be the Next PostEas ssteF Of Srana
Rapids. tEiess the Sensts >Sss No
A brief sketeh ~ the L1sky
S0iOnSIs Life.
As...,, ,s ~ ,s-s.s..-,s....

viii ba the next postmaster OF Grand
Rapids Ills name wll not be with
drawn. The President 50 Uniformed
senator stockbrdge today, and tins
ends the matter ~ Tar a. the President
Is concerned. OF course the Michigan
Senators can induce the Senate TO reject
the nomination if they are 80 inclined,
bat that Is not likely, and Col. Briggs
can now look forward 10 enjoying the
perquisltes and emoluments OF Office
for the next four years.
Col. George q. Briggs was born in
Wayne county, Michigan, January p,
1888. While a mere child his father
died, and while yet youth he entered
u mercantile house AZ Battle Greek
where be remained three years, ana
then he attended Olivet College for a
short time. lie afterwards went to
Galesburg, Ill, where he remained five
years, and returning TO Battle Greek =,
entered into a partnership With Mr.
AYcrlll, and conducted a mercantile
business under the firm name OF Ayerll,
Briggs x Co. In 1862, he disposed Of
ms business interests, and raised a COM
pany OF cavalry, of which he was ap-
pointed tirst lieutenant. When equipped
for service tins company became part
of the Seventh Michigan cavalry. which
left Grand Rapids for the Army of the
Potomac, under command of Col. w
ID. Mann. He served with his regiment
IN the Army of the Potomac during the
war, and for his personal gallantry was
promoted step after step, until he be-
came colonel of his regiment in 1861.
At the cessation of hostilties the Gov
ernment reserved the services Of the
Seventh Michigan Cavalry, and 1t was
soon assigned for duty on the Western
frontier. With headquarters at Fort
Collins, Col. Briggs was placed in COM
mand of all the cavalry forces IN the
south subdivision of the plains. In
October 1868, Col. Briggs marched It
part of his command over the noun
tains TO Salt Lake City; and. having
taken command of the cavalry forces
at Fort Douglass, remained there until
he was mustered out of service. He
returned to Michigan by way of san
Francisco, Panama and New York CITY,
Upon his arrival in Detroit, the officers
OF his regiment presented him a beautl-
full gold watch, with their hest wishes
Ia May, 1876, Col. Briggs removed to
this city and engaged in the dry goods
business with ]. W. PIERCE, under tine
firm name of Pcircc Il Briggs. He
withdrew from this business N 1870,
and engaged in manufacturing stock
holder and treasurer OF the Michigan
Barrel Works. In Nav, 1855. Col.
Briggs married Miss Juiia X. Pelrce.
daughter of his former business part
ner, and who now shares his good for
tunes. Col. Briggs has generally fig
ured with the Republican party in pol
ltics. He was a delegate to the Chicago
convention that nominated Grant and
COlfaX, III 1853; was appointed one
OF the secretaries, and, a. an
offer Of the convention. was one
of the committee that went
to Washington to notify Gen. Grant of
his nomination. lie was elected
member OF the Michigan Legislature
and served during the session of lS69-7O,
detcrmin ng, at its close, 20 withdraw
from active politics and devote his
energy to his private business.
When committee was appointed TO
place monuments on the battle field of
Gettysburg, 10 commemorate the
heroism OF Michigan's soldiers, Gov
ernor Luce chose Col. Briggs to act as
chairman OF the committee, and ne dis
charged this duty in a manner tnat was
eminently satisfactory to the citizens Of
the State.
in municipal affairs Col. Briggs has
been active, giving his time and valu-
able serv.cos freely to the city. lie has
served five years on the Board of Police
and Fire Commissioners, is president of
the Board of Public Works, and presi-
dent of the Grand Rapids Board of
Trade.