JOHN A RIGGEN, M. D.
There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in the development and progress of the locality with which they are connected. Such a man is Dr. Riggen, who is a prominent physician and influential citizen of What Cheer, IA.
A native of the neighboring state of IL, he was born in Stark Co., 29 Oct 1841, a son of John and Anna (Bothwell) Riggen. His father was born in Ohio and traced his Scotch-Irish ancestry back to the early settlers of MD and DE. The doctor's maternal grandfather was also a native of the Buckeye state and was of Scotch descent, while his wife was born in VA of Irish parentage. Both the Riggen and Bothwell families settled in Knox and Peoria Counties, IL, in the early '30s and originated a generation of people noted for their honest and sturdy habits.
The early educational privileges of our subject were limited, as he was able to attend the country schools only for three winter terms, and what additional knowledge he has acquired has been gathered from the school of experience. In 1859 he accompanied the family on their removal to MO, settling in what proved to be a strong secession community. When the war broke out, however, both father and son unhesitatingly declared their adherence to the cause of the Union and emphasized their sentiments by enlisting in the Northern army, the former serving for three years in the First Missouri Cavalry, after which he returned home on account of wounds and disability. The Doctor enlisted in June 1861, joining the 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry at its organization in the following July. He was in the service for four years, one month and 15 days, during which time he was never absent from his regiment, except two weeks while in the hospital with measles and two months while home on a veteran furlough and in recruiting service. With his command he participated in a number of important skirmishes and small engagements in MO during the fall and winter of 1861. He also took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and the siege and second Battle of Corinth, MS, in 1862. The following year he was in the campaigns and skirmishes in western TN and later was in numerous engagements, being under the command of General Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign; the march to the sea; the march through the Carolinas; and the Battle of Bentonville, which was the last engagement of the war. Hie regiment then marched through VA to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review. The Doctor takes a just pride in the fact that he carried a musket for nearly three years, although he was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, having been promoted for conspicuous bravery and highly- meritorious service.
After the war, Dr. Riggen taught school for a few months and then began the study of medicine, locating for the practice of his profession in Johnstown, Bates Co., MO, in 1869, where he maintained an extensive practice for ten years, when he was compelled by failing health to change his location. Coming to IA in the spring of 1879, he first located in Washington Co., and in 1884 removed to his present home in What Cheer. During the years that have since passed, his practice has only been limited by his physical endurance, for his skill and ability in his chosen profession were soon widely recognized. For 20 years he has been division surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Co. He is ex-president of the Keokuk Co. Medical Soc. and a member of the American Medical Assn., the IA State Medical Soc., the Nat'l. Assn. of Railway Surgeons and the American Public Health Assn.
At St. Joseph, MO, in 1868, Dr. Riggen was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah E. Mesley [sic], with whose companionship and love he is still blessed. She is a daughter of the late John E. Warner of Syracuse, NY. Their only child is Fannie E., now the wife of T. C. Legoe, a prominent attorney of What Cheer, though they have an adopted daughter, Cora F., the wife of Joseph C. Reilly, a successful millinery dealer in St. Louis, MO.
The Doctor has a splendid plantation of 2,120 acres in the sunny South, where he spends his winters while the summers are passed at What Cheer. Socially, he is an honored member of all of the Masonic bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. For seven years he served as commander of Grand Army Post Nos. 112 and 114, and in 1888 was elected senior vice-commander of the department of IA and had charge of the IA camp at the national encampment at Columbus, OH, that year.
In 1887, Dr. Riggen was nominated by acclamation by the Republicans of Keokuk Co. for state representative and came within five votes of being elected, although the county went strongly Democratic that year. He has served as a member of the city school board and was postmaster under President Harrison, but resigned in a short time on account of ill health. He was the choice of his county for district delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892 and was elected as an alternate from the sixth district that year. In 1893 he was elected state senator from the 12th district, being nominated by acclamation and elected by a majority of 885, succeeding a Democrat. During his term of four years, the Doctor rendered in a quiet way honest and faithful service to his constituents and to the state. He was a member of a number of important committees, including the ways and means, suppression of intemperance, railroad corporation, military, mines and mining, labor, highways, elections, public health and pharmacy. He was also chairman of the legislative committee to visit the Independence insane asylum in 1894 and the Anamosa penitentiary in 1896. From the hour of his election he positively refused to be considered a candidate for re-election, his dislike for the duties of the office and his persistent ill health making his resolve absolutely necessary.
When the war with Spain was declared, Dr. Riggen took an active interest in aiding the government, and by his diligent efforts the city in which he resides had the honor of a good representation in the 50th IA Volunteers. He organized a squad of fifteen, accompanied them to the recruiting station, and by his efforts raised money to pay the expenses of all who were accepted or rejected. He kept in touch with the boys at the front, forwarding the money to Jacksonville, FL, and when they returned gave his gratuitous professional services to all who were ill. Upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Santiago, he promptly tendered by telegraph through Congressman Lacy his immediate and gratuitous service to our wounded. As a number of similar offers had been made, the surgeon general accepted the services of those who were nearer when they were needed. The Doctor loves IA and her people, but his physical condition will not permit him to risk the rigors of a northern winter climate. He is deservedly popular with all classes, having the happy faculty of being able to win friends easily and as easily retain them. [A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk Co., IA, Illustrated. Chicago & New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1903, p. 414-420, found at http://www.archive.org/details/agenealogicalan00compgoog]
DEATH NOTICE
Dr Riggen Dead
We see in the Siloam Springs (Ark.) Daily Republican, dated 13 May, that Dr. J. A. Riggen died at his home in that city last Sunday night. The cause of death was from a spinal injury sustained a year and a half ago in a street-car accident in Minneapolis, Minn. He was buried Wednesday in the Oak Hill Cemetery of that city, the Knight Templars, of which he was an honored member, taking charge of the body at the grave and conducting their impressive ceremony.
Deceased was a brother of Mrs. G. P. Bankus, of this city. [The Milan Standard, Milan, MO, Thurs, 16 May 1907, p. 1]
There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in the development and progress of the locality with which they are connected. Such a man is Dr. Riggen, who is a prominent physician and influential citizen of What Cheer, IA.
A native of the neighboring state of IL, he was born in Stark Co., 29 Oct 1841, a son of John and Anna (Bothwell) Riggen. His father was born in Ohio and traced his Scotch-Irish ancestry back to the early settlers of MD and DE. The doctor's maternal grandfather was also a native of the Buckeye state and was of Scotch descent, while his wife was born in VA of Irish parentage. Both the Riggen and Bothwell families settled in Knox and Peoria Counties, IL, in the early '30s and originated a generation of people noted for their honest and sturdy habits.
The early educational privileges of our subject were limited, as he was able to attend the country schools only for three winter terms, and what additional knowledge he has acquired has been gathered from the school of experience. In 1859 he accompanied the family on their removal to MO, settling in what proved to be a strong secession community. When the war broke out, however, both father and son unhesitatingly declared their adherence to the cause of the Union and emphasized their sentiments by enlisting in the Northern army, the former serving for three years in the First Missouri Cavalry, after which he returned home on account of wounds and disability. The Doctor enlisted in June 1861, joining the 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry at its organization in the following July. He was in the service for four years, one month and 15 days, during which time he was never absent from his regiment, except two weeks while in the hospital with measles and two months while home on a veteran furlough and in recruiting service. With his command he participated in a number of important skirmishes and small engagements in MO during the fall and winter of 1861. He also took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and the siege and second Battle of Corinth, MS, in 1862. The following year he was in the campaigns and skirmishes in western TN and later was in numerous engagements, being under the command of General Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign; the march to the sea; the march through the Carolinas; and the Battle of Bentonville, which was the last engagement of the war. Hie regiment then marched through VA to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review. The Doctor takes a just pride in the fact that he carried a musket for nearly three years, although he was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, having been promoted for conspicuous bravery and highly- meritorious service.
After the war, Dr. Riggen taught school for a few months and then began the study of medicine, locating for the practice of his profession in Johnstown, Bates Co., MO, in 1869, where he maintained an extensive practice for ten years, when he was compelled by failing health to change his location. Coming to IA in the spring of 1879, he first located in Washington Co., and in 1884 removed to his present home in What Cheer. During the years that have since passed, his practice has only been limited by his physical endurance, for his skill and ability in his chosen profession were soon widely recognized. For 20 years he has been division surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Co. He is ex-president of the Keokuk Co. Medical Soc. and a member of the American Medical Assn., the IA State Medical Soc., the Nat'l. Assn. of Railway Surgeons and the American Public Health Assn.
At St. Joseph, MO, in 1868, Dr. Riggen was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah E. Mesley [sic], with whose companionship and love he is still blessed. She is a daughter of the late John E. Warner of Syracuse, NY. Their only child is Fannie E., now the wife of T. C. Legoe, a prominent attorney of What Cheer, though they have an adopted daughter, Cora F., the wife of Joseph C. Reilly, a successful millinery dealer in St. Louis, MO.
The Doctor has a splendid plantation of 2,120 acres in the sunny South, where he spends his winters while the summers are passed at What Cheer. Socially, he is an honored member of all of the Masonic bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. For seven years he served as commander of Grand Army Post Nos. 112 and 114, and in 1888 was elected senior vice-commander of the department of IA and had charge of the IA camp at the national encampment at Columbus, OH, that year.
In 1887, Dr. Riggen was nominated by acclamation by the Republicans of Keokuk Co. for state representative and came within five votes of being elected, although the county went strongly Democratic that year. He has served as a member of the city school board and was postmaster under President Harrison, but resigned in a short time on account of ill health. He was the choice of his county for district delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892 and was elected as an alternate from the sixth district that year. In 1893 he was elected state senator from the 12th district, being nominated by acclamation and elected by a majority of 885, succeeding a Democrat. During his term of four years, the Doctor rendered in a quiet way honest and faithful service to his constituents and to the state. He was a member of a number of important committees, including the ways and means, suppression of intemperance, railroad corporation, military, mines and mining, labor, highways, elections, public health and pharmacy. He was also chairman of the legislative committee to visit the Independence insane asylum in 1894 and the Anamosa penitentiary in 1896. From the hour of his election he positively refused to be considered a candidate for re-election, his dislike for the duties of the office and his persistent ill health making his resolve absolutely necessary.
When the war with Spain was declared, Dr. Riggen took an active interest in aiding the government, and by his diligent efforts the city in which he resides had the honor of a good representation in the 50th IA Volunteers. He organized a squad of fifteen, accompanied them to the recruiting station, and by his efforts raised money to pay the expenses of all who were accepted or rejected. He kept in touch with the boys at the front, forwarding the money to Jacksonville, FL, and when they returned gave his gratuitous professional services to all who were ill. Upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Santiago, he promptly tendered by telegraph through Congressman Lacy his immediate and gratuitous service to our wounded. As a number of similar offers had been made, the surgeon general accepted the services of those who were nearer when they were needed. The Doctor loves IA and her people, but his physical condition will not permit him to risk the rigors of a northern winter climate. He is deservedly popular with all classes, having the happy faculty of being able to win friends easily and as easily retain them. [A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk Co., IA, Illustrated. Chicago & New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1903, p. 414-420, found at http://www.archive.org/details/agenealogicalan00compgoog]
DEATH NOTICE
Dr Riggen Dead
We see in the Siloam Springs (Ark.) Daily Republican, dated 13 May, that Dr. J. A. Riggen died at his home in that city last Sunday night. The cause of death was from a spinal injury sustained a year and a half ago in a street-car accident in Minneapolis, Minn. He was buried Wednesday in the Oak Hill Cemetery of that city, the Knight Templars, of which he was an honored member, taking charge of the body at the grave and conducting their impressive ceremony.
Deceased was a brother of Mrs. G. P. Bankus, of this city. [The Milan Standard, Milan, MO, Thurs, 16 May 1907, p. 1]
JOHN A RIGGEN, M. D.
There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in the development and progress of the locality with which they are connected. Such a man is Dr. Riggen, who is a prominent physician and influential citizen of What Cheer, IA.
A native of the neighboring state of IL, he was born in Stark Co., 29 Oct 1841, a son of John and Anna (Bothwell) Riggen. His father was born in Ohio and traced his Scotch-Irish ancestry back to the early settlers of MD and DE. The doctor's maternal grandfather was also a native of the Buckeye state and was of Scotch descent, while his wife was born in VA of Irish parentage. Both the Riggen and Bothwell families settled in Knox and Peoria Counties, IL, in the early '30s and originated a generation of people noted for their honest and sturdy habits.
The early educational privileges of our subject were limited, as he was able to attend the country schools only for three winter terms, and what additional knowledge he has acquired has been gathered from the school of experience. In 1859 he accompanied the family on their removal to MO, settling in what proved to be a strong secession community. When the war broke out, however, both father and son unhesitatingly declared their adherence to the cause of the Union and emphasized their sentiments by enlisting in the Northern army, the former serving for three years in the First Missouri Cavalry, after which he returned home on account of wounds and disability. The Doctor enlisted in June 1861, joining the 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry at its organization in the following July. He was in the service for four years, one month and 15 days, during which time he was never absent from his regiment, except two weeks while in the hospital with measles and two months while home on a veteran furlough and in recruiting service. With his command he participated in a number of important skirmishes and small engagements in MO during the fall and winter of 1861. He also took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and the siege and second Battle of Corinth, MS, in 1862. The following year he was in the campaigns and skirmishes in western TN and later was in numerous engagements, being under the command of General Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign; the march to the sea; the march through the Carolinas; and the Battle of Bentonville, which was the last engagement of the war. Hie regiment then marched through VA to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review. The Doctor takes a just pride in the fact that he carried a musket for nearly three years, although he was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, having been promoted for conspicuous bravery and highly- meritorious service.
After the war, Dr. Riggen taught school for a few months and then began the study of medicine, locating for the practice of his profession in Johnstown, Bates Co., MO, in 1869, where he maintained an extensive practice for ten years, when he was compelled by failing health to change his location. Coming to IA in the spring of 1879, he first located in Washington Co., and in 1884 removed to his present home in What Cheer. During the years that have since passed, his practice has only been limited by his physical endurance, for his skill and ability in his chosen profession were soon widely recognized. For 20 years he has been division surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Co. He is ex-president of the Keokuk Co. Medical Soc. and a member of the American Medical Assn., the IA State Medical Soc., the Nat'l. Assn. of Railway Surgeons and the American Public Health Assn.
At St. Joseph, MO, in 1868, Dr. Riggen was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah E. Mesley [sic], with whose companionship and love he is still blessed. She is a daughter of the late John E. Warner of Syracuse, NY. Their only child is Fannie E., now the wife of T. C. Legoe, a prominent attorney of What Cheer, though they have an adopted daughter, Cora F., the wife of Joseph C. Reilly, a successful millinery dealer in St. Louis, MO.
The Doctor has a splendid plantation of 2,120 acres in the sunny South, where he spends his winters while the summers are passed at What Cheer. Socially, he is an honored member of all of the Masonic bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. For seven years he served as commander of Grand Army Post Nos. 112 and 114, and in 1888 was elected senior vice-commander of the department of IA and had charge of the IA camp at the national encampment at Columbus, OH, that year.
In 1887, Dr. Riggen was nominated by acclamation by the Republicans of Keokuk Co. for state representative and came within five votes of being elected, although the county went strongly Democratic that year. He has served as a member of the city school board and was postmaster under President Harrison, but resigned in a short time on account of ill health. He was the choice of his county for district delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892 and was elected as an alternate from the sixth district that year. In 1893 he was elected state senator from the 12th district, being nominated by acclamation and elected by a majority of 885, succeeding a Democrat. During his term of four years, the Doctor rendered in a quiet way honest and faithful service to his constituents and to the state. He was a member of a number of important committees, including the ways and means, suppression of intemperance, railroad corporation, military, mines and mining, labor, highways, elections, public health and pharmacy. He was also chairman of the legislative committee to visit the Independence insane asylum in 1894 and the Anamosa penitentiary in 1896. From the hour of his election he positively refused to be considered a candidate for re-election, his dislike for the duties of the office and his persistent ill health making his resolve absolutely necessary.
When the war with Spain was declared, Dr. Riggen took an active interest in aiding the government, and by his diligent efforts the city in which he resides had the honor of a good representation in the 50th IA Volunteers. He organized a squad of fifteen, accompanied them to the recruiting station, and by his efforts raised money to pay the expenses of all who were accepted or rejected. He kept in touch with the boys at the front, forwarding the money to Jacksonville, FL, and when they returned gave his gratuitous professional services to all who were ill. Upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Santiago, he promptly tendered by telegraph through Congressman Lacy his immediate and gratuitous service to our wounded. As a number of similar offers had been made, the surgeon general accepted the services of those who were nearer when they were needed. The Doctor loves IA and her people, but his physical condition will not permit him to risk the rigors of a northern winter climate. He is deservedly popular with all classes, having the happy faculty of being able to win friends easily and as easily retain them. [A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk Co., IA, Illustrated. Chicago & New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1903, p. 414-420, found at http://www.archive.org/details/agenealogicalan00compgoog]
DEATH NOTICE
Dr Riggen Dead
We see in the Siloam Springs (Ark.) Daily Republican, dated 13 May, that Dr. J. A. Riggen died at his home in that city last Sunday night. The cause of death was from a spinal injury sustained a year and a half ago in a street-car accident in Minneapolis, Minn. He was buried Wednesday in the Oak Hill Cemetery of that city, the Knight Templars, of which he was an honored member, taking charge of the body at the grave and conducting their impressive ceremony.
Deceased was a brother of Mrs. G. P. Bankus, of this city. [The Milan Standard, Milan, MO, Thurs, 16 May 1907, p. 1]
There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most important part in the development and progress of the locality with which they are connected. Such a man is Dr. Riggen, who is a prominent physician and influential citizen of What Cheer, IA.
A native of the neighboring state of IL, he was born in Stark Co., 29 Oct 1841, a son of John and Anna (Bothwell) Riggen. His father was born in Ohio and traced his Scotch-Irish ancestry back to the early settlers of MD and DE. The doctor's maternal grandfather was also a native of the Buckeye state and was of Scotch descent, while his wife was born in VA of Irish parentage. Both the Riggen and Bothwell families settled in Knox and Peoria Counties, IL, in the early '30s and originated a generation of people noted for their honest and sturdy habits.
The early educational privileges of our subject were limited, as he was able to attend the country schools only for three winter terms, and what additional knowledge he has acquired has been gathered from the school of experience. In 1859 he accompanied the family on their removal to MO, settling in what proved to be a strong secession community. When the war broke out, however, both father and son unhesitatingly declared their adherence to the cause of the Union and emphasized their sentiments by enlisting in the Northern army, the former serving for three years in the First Missouri Cavalry, after which he returned home on account of wounds and disability. The Doctor enlisted in June 1861, joining the 18th Missouri Volunteer Infantry at its organization in the following July. He was in the service for four years, one month and 15 days, during which time he was never absent from his regiment, except two weeks while in the hospital with measles and two months while home on a veteran furlough and in recruiting service. With his command he participated in a number of important skirmishes and small engagements in MO during the fall and winter of 1861. He also took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, and the siege and second Battle of Corinth, MS, in 1862. The following year he was in the campaigns and skirmishes in western TN and later was in numerous engagements, being under the command of General Sherman in the Atlanta Campaign; the march to the sea; the march through the Carolinas; and the Battle of Bentonville, which was the last engagement of the war. Hie regiment then marched through VA to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review. The Doctor takes a just pride in the fact that he carried a musket for nearly three years, although he was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant, having been promoted for conspicuous bravery and highly- meritorious service.
After the war, Dr. Riggen taught school for a few months and then began the study of medicine, locating for the practice of his profession in Johnstown, Bates Co., MO, in 1869, where he maintained an extensive practice for ten years, when he was compelled by failing health to change his location. Coming to IA in the spring of 1879, he first located in Washington Co., and in 1884 removed to his present home in What Cheer. During the years that have since passed, his practice has only been limited by his physical endurance, for his skill and ability in his chosen profession were soon widely recognized. For 20 years he has been division surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad Co. He is ex-president of the Keokuk Co. Medical Soc. and a member of the American Medical Assn., the IA State Medical Soc., the Nat'l. Assn. of Railway Surgeons and the American Public Health Assn.
At St. Joseph, MO, in 1868, Dr. Riggen was united in marriage to Mrs. Hannah E. Mesley [sic], with whose companionship and love he is still blessed. She is a daughter of the late John E. Warner of Syracuse, NY. Their only child is Fannie E., now the wife of T. C. Legoe, a prominent attorney of What Cheer, though they have an adopted daughter, Cora F., the wife of Joseph C. Reilly, a successful millinery dealer in St. Louis, MO.
The Doctor has a splendid plantation of 2,120 acres in the sunny South, where he spends his winters while the summers are passed at What Cheer. Socially, he is an honored member of all of the Masonic bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Sons of Veterans and the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. For seven years he served as commander of Grand Army Post Nos. 112 and 114, and in 1888 was elected senior vice-commander of the department of IA and had charge of the IA camp at the national encampment at Columbus, OH, that year.
In 1887, Dr. Riggen was nominated by acclamation by the Republicans of Keokuk Co. for state representative and came within five votes of being elected, although the county went strongly Democratic that year. He has served as a member of the city school board and was postmaster under President Harrison, but resigned in a short time on account of ill health. He was the choice of his county for district delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892 and was elected as an alternate from the sixth district that year. In 1893 he was elected state senator from the 12th district, being nominated by acclamation and elected by a majority of 885, succeeding a Democrat. During his term of four years, the Doctor rendered in a quiet way honest and faithful service to his constituents and to the state. He was a member of a number of important committees, including the ways and means, suppression of intemperance, railroad corporation, military, mines and mining, labor, highways, elections, public health and pharmacy. He was also chairman of the legislative committee to visit the Independence insane asylum in 1894 and the Anamosa penitentiary in 1896. From the hour of his election he positively refused to be considered a candidate for re-election, his dislike for the duties of the office and his persistent ill health making his resolve absolutely necessary.
When the war with Spain was declared, Dr. Riggen took an active interest in aiding the government, and by his diligent efforts the city in which he resides had the honor of a good representation in the 50th IA Volunteers. He organized a squad of fifteen, accompanied them to the recruiting station, and by his efforts raised money to pay the expenses of all who were accepted or rejected. He kept in touch with the boys at the front, forwarding the money to Jacksonville, FL, and when they returned gave his gratuitous professional services to all who were ill. Upon the receipt of the news of the battle of Santiago, he promptly tendered by telegraph through Congressman Lacy his immediate and gratuitous service to our wounded. As a number of similar offers had been made, the surgeon general accepted the services of those who were nearer when they were needed. The Doctor loves IA and her people, but his physical condition will not permit him to risk the rigors of a northern winter climate. He is deservedly popular with all classes, having the happy faculty of being able to win friends easily and as easily retain them. [A Genealogical and Biographical History of Keokuk Co., IA, Illustrated. Chicago & New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1903, p. 414-420, found at http://www.archive.org/details/agenealogicalan00compgoog]
DEATH NOTICE
Dr Riggen Dead
We see in the Siloam Springs (Ark.) Daily Republican, dated 13 May, that Dr. J. A. Riggen died at his home in that city last Sunday night. The cause of death was from a spinal injury sustained a year and a half ago in a street-car accident in Minneapolis, Minn. He was buried Wednesday in the Oak Hill Cemetery of that city, the Knight Templars, of which he was an honored member, taking charge of the body at the grave and conducting their impressive ceremony.
Deceased was a brother of Mrs. G. P. Bankus, of this city. [The Milan Standard, Milan, MO, Thurs, 16 May 1907, p. 1]
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