Isaac N. Biggs

ISAAC N. BIGGS, living in section 22, Fairview township, Labette county, Kansas, is one of the prominent farmers of the county. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Zachariah and Annie (Elliott) Biggs.

Zachariah Biggs was born in 1813, and was a native of Henderson county, Kentucky. He died, in 1853, in Ross county, Ohio, where he held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years. He married Annie Elliott, who was born in Piketon, Ohio, in 1821, and is now living in New London, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah J., Rebecca (Ross) and Robert W., deceased; Isaac N., the subject of this sketch; William H., of Danville, Illinois; Frances (Newman), of New London, Ohio; Sanford, of Clay county, Missouri; and Zachariah, deceased.

Isaac N. Biggs lived on the farm with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was attached to the Army of the Shenandoah. He took part in the battles of Cedar Creek, Harper's Ferry, and in several skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Winchester, paroled within three months, and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. He was mustered out at Chicago, in 1863, and reenlisted in Company I, 7th Reg., Ohio National Guards, on the call for 100-day men. He was mustered out at Camp Denison, Ohio, at the expiration of his term; again enlisted, in Company I, 185th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served utnil[sic] October, 1865. He was finally mustered out at Lexington, Kentucky, and returned to Ross county, Ohio. Shortly after his return from the war, Mr. Biggs moved to Madison county, Ohio, and, in 1868, to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he remained until 1880. In 1880, he moved to Labette county, Kansas, and settled on a farm in Neosho township, where he lived until 1884. He has since made his home in section 22, Fairview towship,[sic] where he has been engaged in general farming. He deals honestly with all men, and is highly respected by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Biggs was united in marriage with Elsie Shenaman, who was born in Ohio, in 1848, and died in 1897. She was a daughter of Abraham and Elsie (Miller) Shenaman. Abraham Shenaman was born in Wooster, Ohio, in 1810, and his death occurred in Lyon county, Kansas, in 1857. His wife was also a native of Wooster, Ohio, and died in 1867, at the age of fifty-five years. They reared the following children, namely: Samantha J. (Barber), of Decatur, Illinois; Ellen (Dickerson), of Illiopolis;, Illinois; Albert, deceased; Elsie, who was the wife of Mr. Biggs; William, of Bay City, Michigan; Francis, of Illiopolis, Illinois; and Charles S. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs were the parents of four children, namely: Ivie L. (Deathrage), of Labette county; Floyd E., of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles R.; and Harry, of Labette county. On August 8, 1900, Mr. Biggs contracted a second marriage, by wedding Mrs. Beatrice Francisco.

Mr. Biggs belongs to the Republican party. He has, been a member of the school board for the past six years. He is a member of the Christian church, of Oswego.