Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1892-03-05
JOHN RIGGIN, ESQ.
Interesting Sketches of an In
Deputy Clerk of the Court.

deputy Cicfk Oh TIE tOuFt.
Mr. John Riggin who died in Los
Angeles, California. on February 10th
IN the SD year of his age, was born in
Princess Anne, Somerset county When
quite a youth had the misfortune to lose
his father, and although his mother was
left with a comfortable income, the
greater pant of il was in a few years lost
by her agents in bad Investments. Twas
here that the indomitahle zeal that char
developed itself Leaving the Washing
ton Academy where he was then
student he came To Snow Hill where he
was clerk in the store OF DIR. Gunby and
aiierward wrote in the clerk 5 office under
John {. Handy, Esq, AT the enormous
sum of fifty dollars year and his board"
Twas at he house of Mr. Handy, that he
met Miss Ann johnson, sister of the
late Judge johnson. OF Little Rock, Ark.
who at that time was young school girl
in short dresses though both were young
the acquaintance ripened into love
which eliminated in marriage in after
years. While sill engage cd as clerk young
Riggin hearing visitor giving descrip-
ton of what was then the West deter
mined to try his fortune IN that almost
unknown country and in short time
was offered position in ST. Louis where
he went travelling the entire distance
from Baltimore 10 ST. Louis by stage.
Here by earnest work and a determination
to win he was soon in position TO war
rant his returning to Maryland foI the
purpose of taking his mother to his new
home and also TO see if the bright eyed
sweet heart of his boyhood was still
heart whole and fancy free" and to his
| JOY found such to be the case and matters
were arranged to their mutual satisfac-
| ton, and year later he again returned
when he and Miss Johnson were married.
Returning TO ST. Louis Mr.. Riggin en-
gagged in the real estate business, in which
he was very successful, accommodating
| quite comfortable income.
AT the breaking out of the war Mr..
Riggin took sides with the cause of the
| Union and though too old to bear arms
was identified with Union movements
and gave his influence and means to
keeping Missouri in the Union. lie was
at the siege of Nicksburg with his son
General John Riggin, of Gen'l Grants
staff and was present when Gen'l Penn
berton surrendered. Two years ago he
returned to Snow Hill and Princess Anne,
where he renewed the acquaintance and
revisited the scenes of his boyhood, and
though there had been many changes in
the 60 years of his absence he took great
delight in pointing out the various places
he knew So well as boy and repeated to
interested listeners "reminiscences of more
than half a century ago.
For the past ten years Mr.. Riggin has
resided in Los Angeles, where up 10 the
time OF his last sickness he had been nc
lively engaged in business for the eason
As stated by himself-"No man had Il
right to do nothing" Mr. Riggin was n
devoted husband, an indulgent father, Il
valuable citizen and staunch and faith
tnl friend He never forgot an act OF
kindness Ia himself or his friends and
where il was needed gave substantial evi.
dence of his appreciation but always
without oStcntalinn, prelerring that none
save those Who were the recipients of his
kindness and himself should know ii.
| To the young especially he was kind
aud considerable and allowed no opportun.
ity TO pass when by advice or encourage
ment he could assist them IN the battle of
life and was constantly watching out for
the interest and good of the young men
who came under his influence. He was
passionately fond of children and took a
deep interest in their childish sports and
pranks, aud ihodgh four score still
remembered that he had been child
himself. He was a great reader thor
oughly posted upon this and foreign
countries as well rs scientific and other
matters and therefore fine conversation
alist.
In everything Mr.. Riggin undertook he
was constant and intense worker and
was placed in many positions of trust.
He leaves son and daughter to whom
we extend our deepest sympathy in this
their hour OF sore bereavement, while we
humbly beseech a throne of Heavenly
grace that 10 them may be vouchsafed the
consultations of that grace, the presence
of that Spirit that alone can bring com.
fort and solace in such an hour of sadness
Though keenly feeling the shifting OF
the Fathers hand in this providence, we
submit in deep humility 10 the workings
of His will, while our hearts are encour
aged by the strong abiding Christian
hope that the parting is but for season
and that we shall again meet and greet
our dear friend in the brighter, purcr and
eternal associations of the home beyond
+ aud L.