Perry R. Briggs
Perry R. Briggs | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Auburn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 2 September 1918 (aged 92) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, banker, politician |
| Years active | 1860–? |
| Known for | Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1871), district attorney of Juneau County, Wisconsin |
Perry R. Briggs (November 21, 1825 – September 2, 1918) was a prominent American attorney, banker, and member of the Republican Party. He held a seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Juneau County, Wisconsin during the 1871 session. Prior to this legislative role, he served as district attorney for Juneau County.
Biography
Briggs was born on November 21, 1825, in Auburn, New York. His family relocated multiple times within New York before settling in Juneau County, Wisconsin in 1856. After spending two years farming near Mauston, Wisconsin, he pursued legal studies under John Azor Kellogg and gained admission to the bar in 1860. When Kellogg enlisted for military service in 1861, Briggs was appointed district attorney and subsequently elected to a full term. He resigned from this position in May 1864 to enlist in the American Civil War.
During the war, Briggs first held the rank of first lieutenant with the "100 day" 41st Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, engaging in combat during Nathan Bedford Forrest's raid on Memphis. He then reenlisted as captain of Company C in the 47th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, primarily serving in Tennessee and fulfilling duties as judge advocate while on detached service.
Following the conflict, Briggs specialized as a pension and bounty agent, assisting veterans with over 1600 claims. In 1866, President Andrew Johnson appointed him postmaster of Mauston, a role he maintained until his election to the State Assembly in 1870. Winning with 55% of the vote, he served one term in office.
In the realm of business, Briggs purchased the Bank of Mauston from its founder J. B. Rosencrans in 1868 and reopened it in 1869. By 1880, he formed a partnership with his son Bert to broaden their banking enterprise by establishing a branch in Wonewoc, Wisconsin. The family sold both banks to Jeff T. Heath in 1886.
After a brief residence in Dakota Territory, Briggs returned to Mauston where he founded the Juneau County State Bank before eventually retiring to Texas.
He passed away in San Antonio, Texas, in 1918 and was interred at the San Antonio National Cemetery.
Wisconsin Assembly (1870)
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 8, 1870