Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

Martin L. RIGGS was born in Meigs County, near Georgetown, Tenn., December 23, 1853, and is the son of Sam A. and Louisa (ROBERTS) RIGGS. Sam A. RIGGS, the father, was of Dutch descent, was born in Meigs County, Tenn., October 18, 1827, and died in Meigs County, October 30, 1861. He was a farmer, and a Master Mason. Louisa (ROBERTS) RIGGS, the mother, was born in Meigs County, Tenn., about the date of her husband’s birth, and died in Meigs County, Tenn., in 1855. The father after this married Mrs. Harriet BALL, the widow of William BALL, deceased, who was born in Tennessee September 18, 1827. Our subject was the youngest of four children. He was about eight years of age when his father died; he then lived with his step-mother. On September 18, 1878, he married Miss Emma C. DAVIS, who was born in Cleveland, Tenn., February 26, 1855, and died at her home in the Tenth Civil District, Bradley Co., Tenn., January 16, 1886. She had an excellent education, secured at the Cleveland College. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the daughter of H. B. and Nancy DAVIS. This marriage resulted in the birth of two children, one now living, Anna M., and one who died, an infant. Our subject came to Bradley County, Tenn., shortly after marriage. Before this he went to school at Georgetown and Chatata, and after this he taught school in Meigs County for three years, then moved to a farm on Hiwassee River, at Graves Ferry, remaining three years, and then moved to his present location. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a Master Mason and a Democrat. He is an active and enterprising man, and at all times supports the cause of education and all public enterprises.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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