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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, Publ. 1901- page 363
JOHN M. RIGGS is numbered among the brave veterans of the war of the Rebellion who still remain to tell the story of those terrible days, when courage was tried to the utmost, and the flag was saved, although drenched with the blood of thousands.
Mr. RIGGS was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1834, son of William R. and Lavina (BURRIS) RIGGS, the former a native of Virginia. The family removed from Ohio to Missouri, and from that State to Wisconsin in 1844, settling at Belmont. In 1849 the father crossed the Plains to California, and died there not long after his arrival, the mother surviving him many years. In their family were two sons and two daughters, of whom only the subject of this sketch and his sister Virginia Ann, who lives in Michigan, now (1901) survive.
John M. RIGGS was reared upon a farm. In 1851 he crossed the Plains to California, returning in 1854, but in 1855 he went back once more, and remained until the fall of the following year. When the Civil war broke out Mr. RIGGS felt that his sympathies demanded that he offer his services, and on Aug. 16, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 33d Wis. V.I., his services extending over a period of three years, or until the close of the war. During this time Mr. RIGGS took part in many of the important events of that time, the regiment leaving the State under the command of Col. Jonathan B. MOORE, who had been sheriff of Grant county, Capt. George R. FRANK in command of Company B. On October 18, 1862, the regiment was mustered into the service, and left for the front and following months, proceeding directly to Memphis, Tenn., where it was assigned to Gen. Lawman's division, in Gen. Sherman's Army of the Tennessee. This division became a part of the 16th Army Corps, and took an active part in the siege of Vicksburg, attack on Jackson, and the Meridian expedition. One of the important events in which the 33d participated was the bloody battle of Tupelo. After many hard marches and several important battles, the 33d reached Nashville Nov. 30, 1864. In March of the following year the regiment joined in the attack on Spanish Fort, and after the surrender of Mobile moved on to Montgomery, Ala., where they did picket duty. Later they were ordered to Vicksburg and mustered out, and finally, in August, 1865, disbanded at Madison, Wis. It has been truly said of the 33d that few regiments saw more severe service and that its record is untarnished by any cowardly or dishonorable action. Mr. RIGGS' health was badly broken as a results of his service, and as he grows older he realizes just how much he and his companions gave to their country. Since the war Mr. RIGGS has resided on his farm, where all of his children were born and reared.
In May, 1871, John M. RIGGS was married to Miss Lydia BEAM, who was born in New Jersey in 1846 and brought by her family to Illinois and later to Wisconsin. Her parents are still living, and reside in Watterstown. Mr. and Mrs. RIGGS have four sons and two daughters: John M., Mamie, Frank, James E., Elsie V. and Floyd. The four youngest are still residing with their parents, while the others are settled not far away. The home of the RIGGS family is a very pleasant one, and both Mr. and Mrs. RIGGS are highly respected by all who know them. Mr. RIGGS has proven himself a loyal citizen, good husband and father, and kind friend, and no one is better entitled to an honorable place in the records of Grant county than he.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck