Enlisted June 19, 1861
Mustered out June 29, 1864 - term expired
McPherson Post 33 - 1889 - 1898
Buried Atlantic Cemetery, Atlantic, Iowa
Isaac Riggs
DEATH AT ATLANTIC.
ISAAC RIGGS, WELL KNOWN IN MANNING, DIED AT HIS LATE HOME IN ATLANTIC ON AUGUST 7, 1898.
A letter bearing such intelligence was received at this office on Wednesday. Having lived on a farm a few miles south of Manning for many years prior to the time of his removal to Atlantic in 1896, most every one in the country here abouts knew Mr. Riggs.
Isaac Riggs was born in the county of Montgomery, New York, December 27, 1822, being at this time of his death 76 years, 4 months, and 20 days. In the year 1848 he removed to Iowa County, Wisconsin. Here he remained until the war of the Rebellion broke out in 1861, when he enlisted in Co. I., 2d Wisconsin Volunteers, and served his country faithfully until he was honorably discharged June 19, 1864.
At one time he was a member of McPherson Post, G.A.R., of this city.
On August 3, 1864, the deceased was joined in marriage to Minerva Lieurance, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, who, with one son and five daughters, survive him. In 1881 the family moved to Pike County, Missouri, and after residing there four years they came to this section, settling on a farm seven miles southeast of Manning. Here, his children grew to manhood and womanhood.
Mr. Riggs was a Christian in all the word implies, and had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was an affectionate husband, a kind father and a good neighbor. So far as the writer knows, Mr. Riggs had no enemies and left a memory without reproach.
lsaac Riggs
Isaac Riggs was born in Montgomery County, New York, December 27, 1822, and
died here at his home last Saturday, August 20, 1898, at noon. He was an early
settler in Wisconsin, having come to that state in 1848. He was married to
Minerva Lieurance, August 3, 1864. To them were born
six children, one son, George L., now of Shelby County this state and five
daughters, the eldest now Mrs. Shafenberg, of Hartington, Nebraska; Mrs. Sliester, of Crawford County
this state, and Augusta, Anna, and Gertrude, all grown and living at home.
The family moved from Wisconsin to Missouri in 1877 and thence to Shelby County, Iowa, and in 1896 to Atlantic. He was a wagon maker for a few years after marriage and then was engaged in agricultural business.
He rendered efficient service in the war for three years and since then his health has been impaired and his last illness, epilepsy, grew out of sickness brought on in the war. The three daughters at home and the mother are consecrated Christian workers and we have reason to believe that during the last three years while he has been an invalid, tender hands have ministered to him and many kind words of love have been exchanged.
Elders, Hill of the Congregational Church and Stanley of the Baptist Church assisted Elder McIntire of the Church of Christ to conduct the funeral services from the house at 602 Spruce Street, Tuesday morning, August 22, 1898. Rev. Stanley in behalf of the G.A.R. gave the following brief address: "Another old veteran of the war for the Union has been mustered out and we are assembled as patriotic citizens and sympathizing friends to give his remains honorable burial. Isaac Riggs, so he has been written on the imperishable roll of honor preserved in the archives of a grateful nation was a member of the famous Second Regiment, itself a part of the celebrated '"Iron Brigade"' and served through its entire existence, being one of its few survivors.
One of the first regiments to respond to President Lincoln's first call, and the first to leave Wisconsin, is fought in the first battle of Bull Run, General W.T. Sherman, brigade commander, losing 164 men. A year later, August 28, 1862, it fought in the ranks of the Iron Brigade at Galesville, Virginia, where four brigades of Stonewall Jackson's men were held in check all day until after dark, checked for the first time in their history, the second Wisconsin losing 162 men. A few days later the Iron Brigade stormed Turner's Gap on the road to Antietam, the second regiment losing 80 men. Three days later the brigade fought in the hottest part of the battle of Antietam, the Second Regiment losing 91 out of 150 men engaged, General McClelland pronounced them "equal to the best troops in the world." They went through Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville to the carnage of Gettysburg where the Second led the charge on Archer's rebel brigade and lost one-third of its numbers from a single volley. Here their colonel, Lucius F. Fairchild, afterwards governor of Wisconsin and commander-in-chief of the G.A.R, lost his left arm. They lost 182 men. The Second followed Grant through all the battles of the Richmond Campaign until the crossing of the James River, their term of service having expired. The total enrollment was 1186, lost in action 1040 men killed and wounded, leaving 146 survivors.
This man was a hero among heroes. He fought under Sherman, Reynolds, Fairchild, and Grant. Glory enough for him and his. Honor the memory of the brave.