I would like to get in touch with descendants of John G. Briggle's children by his second wife, Mary Louise Nelson. Mary Louise was first married to John Welstrom or Melstrom, and then married John G. Briggle. I would be pleased if descendants of Mrs. Russell Kennedy, Mrs. Leo Johnson, and Mrs. Herman Minder, would contact me . Following is information I have collected on the family.
- Jo Weedon (click for email)
(Click on the below photos for enlargements)
 John Briggle in his store
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 Briggel's Ice Cream Parlor in Odebolt
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 Harry & Everett Briggle, sons of John
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 Everett Briggle |
 Harry Briggle's daughter and Willard Jacob Briggle, John's son, who lived in West Liberty, Iowa |
 Frieda Minder of Odebolt with Willard Jacob Briggle, John's son who lived in West Liberty, Iowa |
John was a Private in the Union during the Civil War, Company G. 2nd Cavalry, Iowa, Company D. 46th Infantry, Iowa. He was discharged in Selma, Alabama. He lived in Cedar County, Scott County, and Sac County, Iowa and had a brother, Joseph Briggle, in West Liberty, Iowa. He was married twice, first to Eliza Jane McComb and then to Mary Louise Nelson (Mary had previously been married to John Melstrom or Westrom).
John G. Briggle, age 18, residence Scott Co., nativity Ohio. Enlisted 2.1.1865, mustered out 9/19/1865, Selma, Ala.
He was in Corley, Shelby County, Iowa October 4, 1880.
John G. Briggle had an ice cream parlor in Odebolt and that’s where he met his second wife. She had children of her own. The sign over his ice cream shop read “Briggels Ice Cream Parlor”
After 1881, the building on Second street first occupied by the Burleigh and Summerville drug stores, housed the “Union Restaurant,” which was conducted for 19 years by George H. (“Deafy”) Ballard. It was here that the Smith Bros. later conducted their restaurant before moving to their own building on Main street. North of the present (1938) quarters of the Smith Bros. was a restaurant operated for a time by John Briggle, who entered the business in June 1888, after serving as town marshal. In the eighties, M. W. Smith was also in the restaurant business. Member of the Col. Goodrich post no. 117 of the GAR Grand Army of the Republic in Sac County, in Odebolt, Iowa.
Briggle, John age 65 years, 4 months, 28 days (if right, birthday not in Oct as in father’s will); restaurant owner; died May 2, 1912; buried in Odebolt; was married at the time; cause of death diabetic mellitus, arteriosclerosis, born in Iowa; Sac County death record book 2 page 10Obituary May 09, 1912 “Chronicle”, Odebolt paper
An incurable ailment finally broke down the rugged constitution of John Briggel and he passed away at the family home in this city at 815 last Thursday evening, May 2.Death was due to diabetes, with complications, from which he had been sick for several months past. At times during that period his condition was critical, but he always rallied and his rugged constitution pulled him through many a tight hole. He came down town to vote at the recent municipal election and was up and about for some time following, but during the three weeks preceding his death he was in extremely feeble health.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist church at 230 Sunday, (May 5) conducted by the Rev. Robert McInturff of the Presbyterian church, and burial made in the local cemetery.
Deceased was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Briggel of Cedar county, this state, and was born in that county, October 4, 1846, where he grew to manhood. He served in the Civil War from June 1, 1864, to its close and on April 2, 1887, (1889 in her obit) was married to Mrs. Mary Westrom (Melstrom in her obit). Together they came to Odebolt twenty-six years ago and this has since been the family home. The following are the children born to them, all of whom are living, with their places of residence (these are not correctly theirs—Willard was the son of first wife and some were Westrom’s/Melstrom) Willard Briggel, West Liberty, Mrs.. Minder, Sac City; Ernest, Harry, Everett, Inez and Alice, all of whom live in this city. The widow also survives.
John Briggel was one of the interesting characters of the town. He was of a peculiar make-up, but lived the life of a good citizen and was successful in business. His restaurant on the east side of Main street was a model of neatness and he was a familiar figure to the people of the town. He left many friends who will mourn with the family because of his demise.
Out-of-town relatives at the funeral were Joseph Briggel and wife of West Liberty, brother of the deceased Mrs. A. A. Carlson of Des Moines, sister of Mrs. Briggel; one brother, the only other surviving member of his own family, who lives in Caw City, Oklahoma, was unable to be present.
Briggel Ice Cream Parlour became the Briggle Brothers’ Cafe and was destroyed by fire in January, 1952
Pioneer is Called to Her Reward; Death Comes Suddenly to Mrs. Briggle Saturday Funeral Monday
The passing of another of the pioneer women of Odebolt came suddenly although she has been an invalid for a number of years
Mrs. Mary L. Briggle was called to the better world about 10 o’clock Saturday morning, February 22, death coming very suddenly and unexpectedly, to the family and friends, even though she has been so frail in these last years. She had been quite seriously ill the past two weeks or more, but seemed to be much better, and her family hoped and believed that she was recovering, and would be up again in a few days. Her daughter from Sac City, Mrs. Herman Minder had been with her much of the time while she was ill but had returned home for a few days, and Mrs. Leo Johnson, who lives next door, was assisting Ernest, the son, in taking care of the mother. Ernest had gone up town for a few minutes Saturday morning, and Mrs. Johnson was alone with her mother, when death, the dread messenger came. A physician was called and everything possible done to revive the stricken one, but life had fled, and she was at rest. Funeral services were held at 200 o’clock Monday afternoon in the Methodist church, with the pastor, Rev. J. A. Farnham in charge. The singers were Miss Minnie Kessler, Mrs. FA. Frevert, Harry Hanson, and Mr. Farnham. Mrs. J. L. Bruce was the accompanist. Members of the Women’s Relief Corps, of which Mrs. Briggle had been a member for many years, attended in a body, paying her the last honors it was possible for them to pay. She was laid to rest in the Odebolt cemetery by the side of her husband, who preceded her in death May 2, 1912.The bearers were A.R.Peterson, A.W. Dahlstrom, Alfred Nelson, I.M. Selby, J.L. Bruce and J. S. Fisher.Mr. Nelson was a nephew of Mrs. Briggle.
Mary Louise Nelson was born in Araps By Skane, Sweden, May 20, 1854, and at her death was seventy-five years, eight months, and two days old. She grew to womanhood in Sweden and came to the United States in 1879. She made her home in Des Moines for a few years, but after the death of her husband John Melstrom, came to Odebolt, which has been her home for about forty-seven years. She was united in marriage with John G. Briggle April 2, 1889 and all of their married life was passed here.
Mrs. Briggle was reared in the Lutheran faith, but after coming to Odebolt, united with the Methodist church, remaining a consistent member until her death. Besides her interest and service in the church organizations, she had a great love for the Women’s Relief Corps, and though the last years of her life she was unable to attend, she never lost her interest. She was the mother of seven children, one son Romaine, passing away in infancy. She was a good mother, giving her life to her family, who in turn were devoted to her.
Those who are left to mourn her passing are three sons and three daughters, Mrs. Herman Minder, Sac City, Ernest H., Harry G., Everett F., Mrs. Russell Kennedy, and Mrs. Leo Johnson all of Odebolt, and seven grandchildren also of Odebolt. She leaves a step son, W. J. Briggle, of West Liberty and two brothers, one in Des Moines and one in Sweden. The members of the family have the deepest sympathy of their friends in this bereavement.
All of the children and their families were present at the funeral. Relatives who were here from away were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dunn and son Robert, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Carlson, Mrs. G. H. Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. H.B. Carlson all of Des Moines, Mrs. W. J. Ahlberg of Omaha and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Olson of Kiron. Friends were Mrs. Fred Fox and Mrs. W. R. Grew of Sac City.
Had 7 grandchildren in 1930 when she died
JOHN G. BRIGGLE married 3/16/1871 in Cedar County, Iowa to ELIZA JANE
MCCOMB
son, Willard Jacob Briggle 1872-1942, lived in West Liberty, Iowa
daughter, Eva Rosella Briggle 1875-10/22/1888
JOHN G. BRIGGLE married 4/2/1887 to MARY LOUISE NELSON WESTROM or MELSTROM
daughter, Inez (we think she's a Briggle) b between 1887-1894, d between
1930-1957; married Russell Kennedy lived in Odebolt or Sac City
daughter Romaine (Briggle? see marriage date and birth but buried as a Briggle);
8/13/1887-7/18/1888
son, Harry G. Briggle 1889-1941 (buried Odebolt; had a son Harry W. Briggle
1917-1943 buried Odebolt)
son, Everett F. Briggle 1891-1957 (his obit follows)
daughter, Meg (probably Margaret) Briggle 1893-?
daughter, Alice 1896-?, married Leo Johnson lived next door to mother in Odebolt
CHILDREN OF MARY LOUISE NELSON and JOHN WESTROM/MELSTROM
son, Ernest H. (but buried under name Briggle) 1882-1954
daughter, Frieda (my mother said she was my grandfather's STEP sister) don't
know her birth or death dates; married MINDER probably buried in Odebolt or Sac
City
EVERETT BRIGGLE'S OBITUARY (1957)
E. Briggle Succumbs of Heart Attack; Former Businessman Dies In Los Angeles.
Services Will Be Held Friday
Everett Briggle, 66, a former Odebolt businessman died at his trailer home in Los Angeles Friday, November 25 following a heart attack.
The body is being shipped to Odebolt and is expected to arrive in Carroll at noon today. Funeral services will be held at Mattes Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday. Interment will be in the Odebolt cemetery.
Everett Briggle, son of Mr. and Mrs. John G. Briggle was born July 22, 1891 in Odebolt, Iowa.
He owned and operated the Briggle Brothers Cafe in Odebolt until it was destroyed by fire in January, 1952. Following the fire he continued to make this his home until his health forced him to seek different climate.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest and Harry, and one sister, Inez, Mrs. Russell Kennedy. He is survived by two sisters, Alice, Mrs. Leo Johnson of Los Angeles, Calif., and Frieda, Mrs. Herman Minder of Sac City. Several nieces and nephews also survive.