RIGGS SETTLEMENT
VIEW FROM THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
The photograph above was taken from the northwestern foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains looking south-southwest across the Sulphur Springs Valley in Cochise County, Arizona. Photograph taken in August 2007 by John B Riggs.
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INDEX
INTRODUCTION
This Web Page has been dedicated specifically to the family of Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Robbins Riggs and their children.
We hope you will find our history contained in “Mary Elizabeth Riggs: My Story” and other sections of this website interesting and informative. Our intention is to make these people and their lives become real to you as you learn of their trials and struggles, their joys and happiness, their work and accomplishments. We will have succeeded if you come to appreciate the great heritage you have.
The earliest ancestors of our Brannick Riggs family, that we have records for, are Thomas (1802) and Rhoda Casey (1804) Riggs and their children. Their children are William Carroll Riggs (1822), Rebecca Riggs (1824), John C. Riggs (1825), Brannick Riggs (1828), Barney Kemp Riggs (1831), Thomas Riggs (1832), James Monroe Riggs (1835), Margaret Riggs (1838) Stuart, Martha Riggs (1840) Whitehead, Rhoda Riggs (1842) Copeland and Charles Riggs (1845). Thomas and Rhoda also helped raise four Grandchildren, Rhoda Elizabeth Riggs (1849) Conover, Margaret Ann Riggs (1853) Benton, William Carroll Riggs (1856) and John Roland Riggs (1858), and Thomas’ daughters Susan Riggs Henry and Rachel Riggs James. Richard Gravelly, the son of a Slave of Thomas’ gave his father as Thomas Riggs although he was not raised by the family. Thomas and Rhoda lived in Alabama, Arkansas and later in life joined most of their children to live in Texas.
Thomas and Rhoda Casey Riggs Family History can be accessed by clicking on this link. http://thomasandrhodacaseyriggs.org
Migration of the Riggs family from Kentucky/Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado to Arizona can be accessed by clicking on this link. Riggs Family Migration / 1802 - 1879
We would be very happy to add reciprocal Links that would connect the reader to histories that are available through and pertain to families of other children of Thomas and Rhoda Riggs. Please contact us by clicking on CONTACT and let us know that you have a website with Riggs Family information that you are willing to share.
Over the years many people have spent time visiting Cemeteries and Courthouses where they researched Vital Records; scanned Newspapers, Diaries and Journals; interviewed family members, gathered stories and compiled the history of the Brannick Riggs family. Modern technology has made it possible for the history of this family to be readily shared with others. We invite you to share the Brannick Riggs Family Web Page with all family members.
Errors do occur when compiling historical information. It is our desire to make this information as accurate as possible. If you have documented information that will confirm or correct the accuracy of what has been presented here, please click on CONTACT.
CONTENTS
To access the contents of this page you may continue using the scroll bar on the right, scroll to specific page or by hovering and then clicking on the link (blue, underlined TITLE) located at the top of each category which will take you to that specific page.
Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Riggs left an exemplary legacy for their posterity. No one would go wrong if they followed the example set by this couple. Lessons were learned by their family from watching the manner in which Brannick and Mary Elizabeth conducted their lives. They learned from their own mistakes and trials.
Includes documents and publications that describe members of the Brannick Riggs family including his parents, wife, siblings, children, grandchildren and their descendants.
A chronology of the family migration from 1802 until current time is included as well as the two-volume Diaries of Brannick's wife, Mary Elizabeth.
Publications include "Our El Dorado", "Mary Elizabeth: My Story", "Chicosa Bill" and "Riggs Centennial Reunion".
Includes the names, dates, and places of the individual members of the Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Riggs family and their descendants and their parents.
Includes a map of the family cemetery with each headstone identified by a row number and headstone letter. An alphabetical list of family members will help readers locate the person's headstone on the map. Photographs of all headstones are also provided.
To help readers maintain a clear understanding of family members and their relationship to other family members a numbering system has been developed giving each member a sequential and separate number.
Education was vitally important to Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Riggs. This section recognizes the family’s commitment to the pursuit of education, both as students and later some as teachers. It started with a private school built next to the family home; later came the El Dorado public school nearby; then it was necessary for the students to travel away for an extended time for further education.
Identifies real estate held by Brannick Riggs’ parents beginning sometime in the 1830’s in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas. Brannick Riggs acquired land in Texas, Colorado and Arizona beginning in the 1850’s. Brannick’s children and his grandchildren acquired land only in Arizona, Mexico, California and New Mexico. Real estate included ranch land, farm land and commercial property.
Includes the history and current ownership of livestock brands of Brannick Riggs family members. A website link is provided for the current year brand registration book.
Identifies and describes businesses that include the development and involvement by Brannick Riggs family members. These include: FREIGHTING; DAIRY AND BEEF; CATTLE AND HORSES; SAWMILLS; HONEY; LAW PRACTICE; RIGGS CATTLE COMPANY; FARMING; TELEPHONE COMPANY; OPERA HOUSE; COMMERCIAL RENTALS; FORD DEALERSHIP; RIGGS BANK.
Includes descriptions of Brannick Riggs family members and their involvement in community development, Cochise County, the state of Arizona and nationally.
Includes Brannick Riggs Family members who served in the United States Military. Member’s name, date of service, branch of service and rank are included.
This page is an inventory of and location, if known, of any Riggs family artifacts, memorabilia and/or documents. Locations include Chiricahua Regional Museum in Willcox, AZ, Special Collections at the University of Arizona Library in Tucson, AZ and the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson, AZ.
This area of the website is included to post photographs from any Brannick Riggs family member. All family members are encouraged to provide photographs and descriptions.
This page includes information and links to allow visitors, with a password, to publish from a list of pre-organized family history books or publish a custom composed book of their own.
This page includes information on the 2024 Brannick & Mary Elizabeth Riggs Family Reunion.
This page includes information and links to historical data that corroborates dates and historical information detailed in this website.
RIGGS FAMILY HISTORY
BRANNICK RIGGS FAMILY ARRIVES IN COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA, 1879
In 1871 the Brannick Riggs Family joined a large wagon train headed for California from Bandera, Texas. They left Fort Riggs -- which they had built while living on the Medina River -- and traveled to Chicosa Canyon northwest of Trinidad, Colorado. They lived here until the latter part on 1876 when they left to start again for California with Arizona as their immediate destination. Brannick's brother Jim and his family had settled in Dos Cabezas, Arizona in 1875 and had written about the magnificent Sulphur Springs Valley.
They came down through New Mexico and into Arizona in 1877. From St. Johns on the Little Colorado River they traveled to Fort Apache where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1878 they traveled down to Fort Thomas on the Gila River settling for the winter at a place which became known as Buttermilk Point.
In the spring of 1879 they again started for Dos Cabezas, stopping at Nine Mile for a few weeks, then moving to Big Immigrant Canyon on the northeast side of the Chiricahua Mountains which was east of Fort Bowie. Several months later when the spring of water went dry, they moved to Sulphur Springs Valley through the famous Apache Pass settling first for a few months just south of the Old Star Ranch and then moved to what became known as the Riggs Home Ranch, which is the focus of the Riggs Settlement.
THE FOLLOWING FAMILY HISTORY PUBLICATIONS MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING ON THEIR LINK:
RIGGS FAMILY MIGRATION
The Riggs Family Migration started in the state of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee or North Carolina sometime between 1802 and 1820 and ended in Texas with Thomas’ death in 1867. Also included are the travels of Brannick Riggs, the son of Thomas Riggs, from his birth in 1828 in Alabama, his marriage to Mary Elizabeth Robbins, the birth of their children and their travels from Alabama to Arizona ending with their settling at the western base of the Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, in September 1879, an area which became known as the Riggs Settlement. The Riggs Family Migration publication includes births, deaths, marriages, land purchases and other significant facts from about 1802 until the Riggs Family Centennial in 1979.
Riggs Family Migration Compiled by John B Riggs
MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS: MY STORY
The story is carefully and creatively written as though it was written by Mary Elizabeth Riggs herself, which includes excerpts from Mary Elizabeth's diary as well as from local newspapers. The story begins with the birth of Mary Elizabeth and ends in 1911 with Mary Elizabeth living with her youngest son and his wife at the Riggs Home Ranch. The publication also includes information and stories of Brannick's and Mary's children and their families.
Mary Elizabeth Riggs: My Story Compiled and written by Nancy (Riggs) Sloan
MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS DIARY
Mary Elizabeth Riggs diary includes two volumes with the first entry on April 9, 1895 and the last entry on July 16, 1929. Both original volumes are located in Special Collections at the University of Arizona Library, Tucson, Arizona.
Thank you to Mindy Moore Scott, daughter of Gus Lee Moore, Jr., granddaughter of Lucy Elizabeth Riggs (ninth child of Brannick and Mary Riggs) for submitting the first volume of the diary to the Special Collections and thank you to Chris Roll, third son of Jeanette (Riggs) Roll for submitting the second volume of the diary to Special Collections.
This link will open the full publication, Mary Riggs Diary, Volume I. - Written by Mary Elizabeth Riggs
This link will open the full publication, Mary Riggs Diary, Volume II. - Written by Mary Elizabeth Riggs
OUR EL DORADO
Our El Dorado is a family history initially written in part by John Casey Riggs and completed by his daughter Jeanette (Riggs) Roll. It was completed in December, 1957 and includes history from approximately 1800 to 1957.
Thank you to Chris Roll, third son of Jeanette (Riggs) Roll for submitting Our El Dorado publication to be included in this website.
Our El Dorado Written by John Casey Riggs and Jeanette (Riggs) Roll
CHICOSA BILL
Brannick Riggs had an older brother, John C. Riggs. He and his wife Jane and moved to Coryell County Texas from Arkansas. John and Jane were killed by Indians, leaving their four children who were taken back to Arkansas to their Grandparents Thomas and Rhoda Casey Riggs who raised them. After the Civil War the family moved to Texas to be near their other children. Thomas Riggs drowned in the Medina River. When Brannick and James decided to go to California they took their mother with them and the two sons of John and Jane Riggs, the two girls having married. Brannick and James and their families stopped in Colorado near Trinidad for about 7 years. When Brannick and James decided to move to Arizona, John and Jane’s two sons, William Carroll and John Roland decided to stay in Colorado. William Carroll developed a ranch and some other businesses in the Chicosa Canyon area. W.C. kept pocket journals. His granddaughters, Elizabeth(Bet) and Rhoda Nicole put the information contained in those journals into a book called “Chicosa Bill”. This book gives additional information about our extended family and their interactions so has been included in the” Brannick Riggs Family” website.
Chicosa Bill Compiled by Mary E. Riggs
Currently being scanned to be included on this website.
RIGGS CENTENNIAL REUNION 1879 - 1979
The Riggs Centennial Reunion was held in Willcox, Arizona on June 16, 1979. The publication was written by Marge Bell, Elizabeth Ditmars, Mary Ann Grimes, John B Riggs, Ron Riggs and Jeannette Roll in preparation for the Centennial and includes photographs of family members attending the Centennial.
A password is required to view the Riggs Centennial Reunion which may be requested by filling out this form.
Riggs Centennial Reunion 1879-1979 / Section I
Riggs Centennial Reunion 1879-1979 / Section II (Family Recipes from the John Stark Family)
BRANNICK RIGGS FAMILY TREE
THE FAMILY TREES ACCESSED THROUGH THIS PAGE INCLUDE
BRANNICK AND MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS: THEIR PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND DESCENDANTS.
INFORMATION OF BRANNICK AND MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS AND ONLY THEIR DECEASED DESCENDANTS
MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK.
BRANNICK RIGGS FAMILY TREE I
To protect information of living descendants, a password is required to view Family Tree II which may be requested by completing this form.
INFORMATION OF BRANNICK AND MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS, THEIR DECEASED DESCENDANTS AND THEIR LIVING DESCENDANTS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR PERMISSION
MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK.
INFORMATION OF BRANNICK AND MARY ELIZABETH RIGGS PARENTS, SIBLINGS AND EXTENDED FAMILY MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK.
EXTENDED FAMILY
back row: JAMES JAY RIGGS - BRANNICK BENJAMIN RIGGS - MARTHA (RIGGS) STARK - WILLIAM MONROE RIGGS - THOMAS “UNCLE TOM” JEFFERSON RIGGS
middle row: MARY FRANCES (RIGGS) STARK - RHODA RIGGS - MARY ELIZABETH (ROBBINS) RIGGS - BRANNICK RIGGS - JOHN CASEY RIGGS
front row: BARNEY KEMP “BK” RIGGS - LUCY ELIZABETH (RIGGS) MOORE
Family members identified in Brannick Riggs Family photograph
Some birth dates and death dates are unknown and shown as “x”. These dates are currently being researched. If any visitor to this site can verify any of the unknown dates (“x”) please click on this link: CONTACT to let us know.
1 THOMAS RIGGS
XX XXXX 1802 - 16 SEPTEMBER 1867
Married: February 1822
1A RHODA (CASEY) RIGGS
XX XXXX 1804 - XX FEBRUARY 1881
1-1 WILLIAM CARROLL RIGGS
30 October 1823 - 22 January 1872
1-2 REBECCA RIGGS
xx xxxx 1824 - xx xxxx 1824
1-3 JOHN C. (CASEY?) RIGGS
xx xxxx 1825 - 16 March 1859
1-4 BRANNICK RIGGS
10 JULY 1828 - 04 JULY 1907
1-5 BARNEY KEMP RIGGS
14 December 1831 - xx xxxx 1863
1-6 THOMAS RIGGS JR.
09 March 1832 - xx xxxx 1885
1-7 JAMES MONROE RIGGS
07 April 1835 - 10 August 1912
1-8 MARGARET RIGGS
14 March 1838 - 26 October 1903
1-9 MARTHA RIGGS
xx xxxx 1840 - xx xxxx xxxx
1-10 RHODA RIGGS
18 May 1842 - 18 July 1917
1-11 CHARLES RIGGS
xx xxxx 1845 - xx xxxx xxxx
Click here http://thomasandrhodacaseyriggs.org for the family history of Thomas and Rhoda Riggs.
4 BRANNICK RIGGS
10 JULY 1828 - 04 JULY 1907
4A MARY ELIZABETH (ROBBINS) RIGGS
27 JULY 1838 - 05 FEBRUARY 1935
1-4-1 THOMAS JEFFERSON RIGGS
14 May 1857 - 09 December 1926
1-4-2 RHODA RIGGS
18 March 1859 - 16 July 1929
1-4-3 WILLIAM MONROE RIGGS
27 December 1861 - 13 February 1949
1-4-4 MARTHA (RIGGS) STARK
15 March 1865 - 09 January 1949
1-4-5 BRANNICK BENJAMIN RIGGS
21 October 1867 - 19 March 1913
1-4-6 JAMES JAY RIGGS
31 January 1870 - 24 January 1911
1-4-7 MARY FRANCES (RIGGS) STARK
21 May 1872 - 02 February 1961
1-4-8 JOHN CASEY RIGGS
21 September 1874 - 04 January 1943
1-4-9 LUCY ELIZABETH (RIGGS) MOORE
20 October 1876 - 05 March 1965
1-4-10 BARNEY KEMP RIGGS
23 August 1879 - 09 May 1963
1-4-11 EDITH BESSY RIGGS
02 August 1884 - 09 August 1885
RIGGS FAMILY CEMETERY
On the side of State Route 186, as it wanders through Riggs family cattle ranches in Cochise County, nestled among a grove of Arizona Cypress trees, is the Riggs Family Cemetery. The towering Chiricahua Mountains rise majestically to the East, a view of the pastures of family ranches and the Sulphur Springs Valley opens out to the South and West and the Dos Cabezas peaks rise to the Northwest. It is a quiet place. A place to sit and listen to the sounds that surround you, the buzzing of insects, the songs of birds, the occasional car passing by or the far away sound of an airplane flying overhead, and feel a cool breeze swirl easily past. There is peace here.
In October 1879, the Riggs family arrived in Cochise County, at that time Pima County. At first, they set up camp in Emigrant Canyon on the Northeast side of the Chiricahua Mountains. Life then as now depended on a perpetual water supply. The water disappeared in Emigrant Canyon forcing a move by the family. The men folk had been exploring the area and had discovered the Sulphur Springs Valley. It was a large valley with lots of grass. On the Southwest side of the mountain in the foothills, they found a permanent water supply. So they moved, settling first just below the hill where the cemetery is located. Later they moved up the canyon. This was the beginning of Home Ranch and the founding of a small cattle empire.
On July 28 and August 2, 1885, tragedy struck this family with the deaths of two children, Frank Thomas and Edith Bessie Riggs. This was the beginning of the Riggs Family Cemetery. On 2 Aug 1884 our last child, Edith Bessie, was born at Home Ranch. She was not to remain with us long. On 9 Aug 1885 she died of summer complaint. We buried her in a family cemetery which we started on a hill not far from the spring where we first camped in the Sulphur Springs valley. Edith Bessie was the second person to be buried in the family cemetery, the first person being her nephew, Frank Thomas Riggs, son of T.J. and Eula Lee, who died 12 days before, also of summer complaint. Summer Complaint is a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea in young children. It is caused by bacteria in spoiled food or milk.
The two large headstones in the center mark the resting place of Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Riggs, father and mother of this large family. Their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, even great-great-great-grandchildren, lay gathered around them.
Family members married and took up ranching in the Riggs Settlement, not roaming far. For those that did move away, when their time came to leave this life they wanted to return home to be laid to rest under the large Arizona Cypress trees of the family cemetery. The Cemetery was small at first but as it filled with family members an expansion was necessary.
This is a family cemetery. The requirements for burial here are simple. You must be a direct descendant of Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Robbins Riggs or married to a direct descendant.
RELATIONSHIPS OF FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE CEMETERY
A visitor, unrelated to the Riggs Family, posted a video of the Riggs Family Cemetery on YouTube. The video includes comments as the visitor walks through the entire cemetery. We were very lucky to find this 15-minute video and very appreciative of the visitor’s authorization to link the video from our website.
RIGGS FAMILY EDUCATION
Education was important to Brannick and Mary Elizabeth (Robbins) Riggs. They both could read and write and felt it was important that their children receive what education could be provided for them. Mary Elizabeth’s father was a teacher by profession.
When the family lived at Fort Riggs in Bandera County Texas it is assumed the following; Rhoda Elizabeth, Margaret Ann, William C., John Roland (children of John and Jane Riggs), T.J., Rhoda and William M. (children of Brannick and Mary Elizabeth) all attended the local school.
After the family moved to Las Animas County, Colorado, a school house was built and they started a school at home for all the children in the area. It didn’t matter how old you were, you attended classes whenever you could.
When the Riggs Home Ranch was established near the mouth of Pinery Canyon of the Chiricahua Mountains in Cochise County, Arizona, the closest school was in Dos Cabezas, about 15 miles from Riggs Home Ranch. Rhoda, William, Martha and Brannick B attended that school until a one room school house was built in the yard near the house and a teacher was hired for the children of the family. Again, it didn’t matter how old you were, you attended classes when-ever you could.
As the children reached the point that they needed to go elsewhere to complete their education arrangements were made. Several of them went to schools in California for a time. Four of the boys (Brannick Benjamin Riggs, William Monroe Riggs, James Jay Riggs and John Casey Riggs); and two of the girls (Mary Frances Riggs and Lucy Elizabeth Riggs); two grandsons (Edward Murray Riggs and Charles Pinkney Riggs); went to school at Valparaiso Normal in Valparaiso, Indiana. Many of the younger children attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.
CLICK ON THE LINK FOR EACH OF THE HEADINGS TO BE TAKEN TO ITS PAGE WITH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
RIGGS FAMILY SCHOOLS & HISTORY
THE FOLLOWING WERE SCHOOLS BUILT BY THE RIGGS FAMILY:
Bandera School (Bandera County, Texas)
Chicosa Canyon School (Las Animas County, Colorado)
Home Ranch School (Cochise County, Arizona) 1882 - 1900
El Dorado School (Cochise County, Arizona) 1900 - 1965
RIGGS FAMILY SCHOOLS & HISTORY
TEACHERS FOR THE RIGGS FAMILY
The teachers in Bandera County, Texas were the teachers hired by the local people. In Colorado there were two teachers, a Mr. Steven D. Stout, an older gentleman that taught only one year and a Mr. James William Wolf. Before the Riggs family left Colorado, Mr. Wolf and Rhoda became engaged. They were to be married after he and his brother arrived in Arizona. However, Mr. Wolf disappeared under unknown circumstances on his trip to Arizona. The first teacher at the Home Ranch school in Arizona was T.B. Stark. See additional teachers by clicking on the link below. Some of the teachers became members of the family through marriage.
TEACHERS / MEMBERS OF THE RIGGS FAMILY
This section of the website will list and describe Brannick Riggs Family members who became teachers. It will include teachers who became Brannick Riggs Family members by marriage as well.
TEACHERS / MEMBERS OF THE RIGGS FAMILY
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Riggs Family members served on school boards including El Dorado School District, Willcox School District, Elfrida School District and Pearce School District.
COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL
Some have attended a Junior College, others a University or a Trade School. Some have found education in their chosen field in the Military, on the job training and some have been trained at home in the family business.
COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL
RIGGS FAMILY REAL ESTATE
CLICK ON EACH OF THE HEADINGS TO BE TAKEN TO ITS PAGE WITH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
RIGGS HOME RANCH
DESCRIPTION AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RIGGS HOME RANCH
Riggs Home Ranch was the focus of the Brannick Riggs Family real estate once the family settled in what became known as the Riggs Settlement. Riggs Home Ranch was for years what the name implied, home to the family of Brannick and Mary Riggs.
RIGGS FAMILY LAND
HISTORY OF LAND PURCHASES AND SALES BY THE RIGGS FAMILY
The earliest record of land purchased by the Riggs Family was the purchase of 640 acres by Thomas Riggs, father of Brannick Riggs in Marion County, Alabama in 1822 or 1823. The most current purchase of land by the Riggs Family was the purchase of xx acres by xxxxxxxx in Cochise County, Arizona on xxxx xx, 20xx. The Riggs Family either separately or through the Riggs Cattle Company owned xxxxxx acres during the years xxxx through xxxx. This section lists all known land transactions of (1) Thomas Riggs, (1-4) Brannick Riggs and Brannick's descendants in all states of the United States where they purchased and sold land.
RIGGS BANK BUILDING
PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORY OF THE PURCHASES AND SALES OF THE RIGGS BANK BUILDING
The Riggs Bank Building was purchased from xxxx and remodeled by the Riggs in 1922. It was sold in 1933 to the Bank of Willcox, purchased in 2002 by John Brannick Riggs and sold in 2014 to Barbara (Riggs) and Jim Gibson, and purchased by John B Riggs, the current owner, in 2015.
RIGGS SAFFORD BUILDING
PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND SALE OF THE SAFFORD BUILDING
The Riggs Safford Building ......... Currently adding information to this website.
BOWIE OPERA HOUSE
PHOTOGRAPHS AND HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND SALE OF THE BOWIE OPERA HOUSE
After Thomas Riggs moved his family to Bowie, so they could attend school there, he became involved in some business ventures in Bowie. He had an Opera House built on the main street of Bowie south of the railroad tracks. Moving Picture shows were shown in this building, and dances were also held here.
Currently adding information to this website.
Bowie Opera House
RIGGS FAMILY BRANDS
As the west was settled by more and more ranchers, a way for the rancher to identify their livestock became a necessity. Livestock were run on open range, for there were no fences at that time. Livestock would roam beyond the rancher’s land looking for feed and water. Rustlers would steal livestock that roamed free. A program, called branding, was devised whereby livestock could be marked with a brand specific to one rancher. These brands were registered with the state government, identifying that the animal with that brand belonged to that specific rancher. Each rancher chose a brand unique to their ranch and livestock. Brands were published in local newspapers so a rancher could identify livestock found on their range and notify the owner where their animal was. At the time of roundup or branding, livestock with a different brand could be returned to its owner.
The earliest known brand registered by a Riggs Family member was the BR brand used by Brannick and Mary Riggs soon after their marriage on July 10, 1856. Each child of Brannick and Mary used the BR brand by placing it in a different location on the animal or in a different orientation.
When the Brannick Riggs family left Colorado in 1877 they sold the rights to the BR brand to their nephew William Carroll Riggs. However, they registered and continued to use the BR brand in Arizona.
Family brands have personal meaning. They are the family logo.
BR BRAND
"B Riggs, Willcox, Arizona", Brannick Riggs is listed as the owner of the BR brand in the Brand Book of the State of Arizona published in 1898.
"Mrs. B Riggs, Dos Cabezos", Mary Riggs, widow of Brannick Riggs, is listed as the owner of the BR brand in the Brand Book of the State of Arizona published in 1921 listing brands registered through December 31, 1920.
"John Stark Riggs, Dos Cabezos", son of John Casey Riggs and grandson of Brannick and Mrs. B Riggs is listed as the owner of the BR brand in the Brand Book of the State of Arizona published in 1933.
"John B. Riggs, Dos Cabezas", son of John Stark Riggs and great grandson of Brannick and Mrs. B Riggs is listed as the owner of the BR brand in the Brand Book of the state of Arizona published in 1945 and is the current owner of the brand.
The history and current ownership of all family brands including links to Arizona's brand books from 1989 to the current online registry may be viewed at this link:
RIGGS FAMILY BUSINESSES
CLICK ON EACH OF THE LINKS TO BE TAKEN TO ITS PAGE WITH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
FREIGHTING
LATE 1860’S THROUGH THE LATE 1870’S
Various forms of freighting provided needed income and goods for the family.
When the family was living in Bandera County Texas, they cut large Cedar trees in the area and transported them by team and wagon to San Antonio. When they were living near Trinidad, Colorado, they not only transported their own products from their sawmill to customers, but did other kinds of freighting. The winter they spent at Fort Apache in Arizona their ox teams and horse teams were used for freighting in the area. The next winter that they spent at Buttermilk Point in southeastern Arizona they again engaged in freighting in that part of Arizona.
DAIRY AND BEEF PRODUCT SALES
1850’S THROUGH THE LATE 1890’S
Dairy and beef products are a mainstay for families. If you are traveling it is difficult to obtain these things unless you find someone in the dairy and/or beef business to purchase these products from. In their travels with their family, Brannick and Mary Elizabeth had learned about these needs and figured out how to meet their own needs and the needs of others.
RAISING CATTLE AND HORSES
AFTER THE CIVIL WAR - PRESENT
From Texas, to Colorado to Arizona cattle provided income for the Riggs family. It started with dairy cattle and selling milk, butter, and buttermilk. When they arrived in the Sulphur Springs Valley that was open grazing land with water and a variety of grasses, the possibility of raising cattle and horses became very real. With time and hard work, the large Riggs family developed ranches and made a good living by raising cattle and horses.
SAWMILLS
1895 - 1906
The family were involved with the sawmill business when they lived in Bandera County Texas. Brannick, his brother James Monroe and his father Thomas all cut trees and hauled them to San Antonio. James Monroe was a skilled shingle maker. When the family moved to Colorado they set up a sawmill in the canyon near their home. They cut lumber and made thousands of shingles that they sold in the area. After the family moved to Arizona they lived near the Chiricahua mountains which had a good stand of timber. When Brannick Benjamin and James Jay were adult men they bought the sawmill in Barfoot Park. James Jay was an investor but Brannick Benjamin ran the sawmill. He provided timbers for the mines in Pearce, Bisbee and Morenci. The sawmill’s business name was Chiricahua Lumber Mill.
HONEY KING OF COCHISE COUNTY
abt 1882 - December 9, 1926
Thomas Jefferson had an interest in Honey Bees from his childhood. After he got his ranch operating well he looked around him at the mesquite, cat claw, cactus stands on his ranch and at the wild flowers. He decided he could develop a good business with stands of bees, extracting the honey and selling it. Thomas was very successful with this adventure, enough so that he had to hire people to help with the honey business. He became known as the Honey King of Cochise County.
Honey King of Cochise County
LAW PRACTICE
1906 -1910 (John C. Riggs)
Unknown - Unknown (James Jay Riggs)
James Jay Riggs and his brother John Casey Riggs both attended school in Valparaiso, Indiana, both graduating with law degrees. Though they practiced law at different times, John Casey Riggs joined the law firm, Cunningham, Ellerbe and Riggs in the city of Tombstone near the Cochise County courthouse. Neither of them stayed in Tombstone very long. Though he developed a ranch in the Riggs neighborhood, James Jay went to Phoenix and became involved with the politics of the State of Arizona. After four years of practice in Tombstone John C. returned to the Riggs settlement to develop his own ranch.
RIGGS CATTLE COMPANY
1904 - 1922
Brannick and Mary Elizabeth Riggs and their children built a small cattle empire at the base of the Chiricahua Mountains extending out into the Sulphur Springs Valley. At one time Mr. Riggs and the boys would begin roundup near Turkey Creek, drive our cattle, gathering as they went along, to just outside Willcox, a distance of about 40 miles, where the cattle would be pastured and held for shipping on the railroad, and never leave Riggs land. Mr. Riggs and the boys are very good business men. As our cattle business grew it became clear that it would be to the benefit of all the family if we incorporated. We started the Riggs Cattle Company in 1904. The Articles of Incorporation were drawn up in September 1905 and the Riggs Cattle Company was officially organized with members of the family all having equal interests. All of our children, with the exception of Brannick B., for he did not live in the Riggs settlement at that time, and Martha became part of this company. After the company was incorporated Rhoda dropped out but left her calves in to help get the company going.
FARMING
1857 - PRESENT
Although the Sulphur Springs valley was lush with a large variety of grasses untouched by cattle when the Riggs family first came to the area, with time, overgrazing and drought, feed for cattle became a problem. Brannick and his son-in-law WA Stark went to Solomonville, AZ in the Gila valley and bought a farm where they raised feed to supplement their animals on their ranches. The family would cut grass for hay in areas on their ranches where the grass grew high enough to cut, they put it in their barns for winter feed. In some places they even planted alfalfa hay.
TELEPHONE COMPANY
February 11, 1907 - Unknown
The Riggs ranches were spread out over a large area. Communication was difficult. A method for communicating among family members and those that worked for them was developed. We like to call it “Cowboy Texting”. A pocket notebook was left at the barn and notes were written and answered to communicate needs. Thomas Jefferson Riggs lived on the Bowie side of the mountains and had to travel a distance to family. When the telephone was invented he could see the great convenience it could provide to the family. He started his own telephone company connecting the various Riggs ranches to each other. The phone lines were just laid on the ground at first. Thomas connected all of the family to each other, then he connected them into Bowie, then to Dos Cabezas, then Willcox. Eventually, he connected his phone service to that of Mr. Adams of Texas Canyon. They combined into one company that eventually became part of Mountain States Telephone that connected everyone into the nation-wide phone service.
OPERA HOUSE
Unknown - Unknown
Thomas Jefferson Riggs moved his family from his ranch into a home in Bowie, AZ during the school year. He was very involved in the community. Bowie was a growing community and Thomas realized that they needed a place for gathering for meetings and entertainment. He built an Opera House where the community could hold meetings, dances, plays and other forms of entertainment. When motion pictures came it became a Movie Theatre.
RIGGS COMMERCIAL RENTALS
1900 - Unknown
The family realized that there were other enterprises they could become involved in that would bring in income for the family.
Brannick Benjamin, Rhoda and Martha became involved in building Apartment buildings in El Paso and renting them.
Brannick bought some lots in Pearce, AZ and with a Mr. Bignon would give them to people as long as they built and settled on the land and did use the lots for speculation.
In June 1900 Brannick bought land on main street in Safford and had a large two-story building built. The downstairs was used for a commercial store and the upstairs held the Masonic lodge and some office buildings. At one time part of the building was used by Graham County for its offices until the new Court house was completed.
FORD DEALERSHIP
May 1913 - Unknown
Progression was coming to the rural areas of Arizona. The automobile, though considered a passing fad by some of the family earlier, proved its usefulness in transporting people over a long distance faster. The men of the Riggs family understood quickly the future of the automobile. William became a part owner in the McCourt - Riggs Ford Agency in Willcox, AZ.
RIGGS BANK
1920 - 1931
William M., John C. and Barney K. started the Riggs Bank in Willcox in 1920. It was in operation as the Riggs Bank until 1931. In 1933 it became known as the Bank of Willcox and the Riggs brothers no longer were involved in running the bank.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Brannick had been taught by his parents and he taught his family to be involved in giving service and doing good for others. Service was given freely in their Community; others were always made welcome in their home and a helping hand was freely given when needed.
Although Brannick, Mary Elizabeth, and their family lived on a ranch next to the Chiricahua Mountains in the southeast corner of Cochise County in the southeast corner of Arizona, family members were very community-minded as indicated below.
CLICK ON EACH OF THE LINKS TO BE TAKEN TO ITS PAGE WITH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION
NEIGHBORHOOD
The family was involved with the development of the neighborhood around them. Education was important to them. They developed a school for their own children, then helped expand it to include all of the children in the neighborhood. As the school enrollment grew, a school board was needed to provide direction and decision making for the school's needs. As the neighborhood grew, social activities became available through use of the school building. As the children started attending schools in larger communities several family members served on local School Boards.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cochise County was growing and developing. Many life-changing inventions such as the Telephone and Electricity were coming into the area. A railroad was built from the west coast through the Sulphur Springs Valley to the east coast, making it possible for the family to travel quickly and comfortably beyond Cochise County. These developments required Boards of Directors to manage the finances and development of these various enterprises.
Board of Directors
COCHISE COUNTY
Many people were moving into the area and Cochise County was growing rapidly. A system of roads and highways was in the beginning stages that made travel easier for the family from the ranch to close by communities and beyond. Laws and regulations from governmental entities, and the manpower to enact and enforce them, was needed. The family was growing, they were intelligent men, their land ownership in the County was increasing and they were forward looking people. They could see the needs of the County. Serving on the County Board of Supervisors gave them an opportunity to help lay the groundwork for managing the growth of Cochise County.
Cochise County
STATE OF ARIZONA
When the family came to Arizona in 1879 it was still a Territory. It took a number of years and work by people who understood the needs of the land and the people until the State of Arizona was added to the Union in 1912. Several of the family had gone east to attend University. There they had learned of the differences in various areas of the United States, and the needs of the land, and of the people. As ranchers, the family understood the difference between living in a city to making a living or making a living from the land and the laws needed to protect that way of life. They worked hard to help make Arizona a state.
State of Arizona
NATIONAL
Sometimes the work necessary to build a business and to enact laws that will protect that business involves joining an organization with others who are in the same business and understand its needs. The service required may be done locally, statewide, or nationally to achieve the goals of the Association. The family was involved with the Cattle Growers Association locally, statewide, and nationally. As the family grew and became involved with new ways to earn a living some became involved with the requirements and needs of that business and worked to meet those needs.
National
Chiricahua National Monument
SERVICE CLUBS/BROTHERHOODS
MASONS
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
WILLCOX COWBOY HALL OF FAME
The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame was to be a celebration of all the ordinary people who have made this County great. It was to honor the working cowboy as well as the ranch owner.
The Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame includes seven Riggs family members who were inducted between 1987 and 2018.
(4) Brannick Riggs, inductee number 17, inducted in 1990
(4-3-1) William Monroe "Billie" Riggs II, inductee number 27, inducted in 1987
(4-1-2B) Lillian (Erickson) Riggs, inductee number 45, inducted in 1995
(4-9A) Gus Lee Moore, inductee number 47, inducted in 1995
(4-8-2) John Stark Riggs, inductee number 48, inducted in 1995
(4-8-1) Paul William Riggs, inductee number 74, inducted in 2002
(4-8-3) Ellerbe Brauns Riggs, inductee number 122, inducted in 2018
Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame
AWARDS
Often awards are given to recognize service given or a goal achieved. It takes recognizing needs, work and caring for others for service to be freely given. Sometimes an individual or a group set goals to accomplish a particular project. Often an award is given when that goal is met.
Awards
This is where the link will jump to.
MILITARY SERVICE
The men of the Riggs family appreciated the country they lived in and were willing to fight to retain their freedoms. We don’t have any information as to whether any of the Riggs family served in the American Revolution or not. Thomas Riggs and his sons all served in the Civil War. Various Riggs family members or their descendants, served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War and Desert Storm. Some served during times of peace and were not required to fight in a war. Family served in the various branches of the service: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. At least two women of the family served, one as a WAVE in the Navy and one in the AirForce.
Some of the family were in jobs that were considered “vital industry” such as mining, ranching, or making dynamite and bullets and were prevented from enlisting in the service.
The family wishes to thank all family members – including wives and children left at home -- for their service and dedication to keeping our country free.
RIGGS FAMILY HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND MEMORABILIA
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
This page includes a complete list of documents housed in Special Collections at the University of Arizona Library. Documents include original deeds, Mary Elizabeth (Robbins) Riggs diaries, photographs, letters and other family historical documents. Other historical documents not housed in Special Collections will be listed on this page if any family member wishes to include them.
ARTIFACTS AND MEMORABILIA
This page includes an inventory, current location and/or ownership of Riggs family artifacts and memorabilia including available photographs. Items identified include saddles, tools, clothing, horse drawn buggy, toys, dolls, "Chiricahua Ranches" safe door and buildings.
If any item has been placed in a facility such as a museum or special collections library, the person donating the item will be identified if they so wish. If any reader has information relating to any Riggs family memorabilia that has not been corroborated or is in conflict with what is described on this page, please contact us and we will get back with you for the additional or corrected information. Thanks for your interest and help. If any Riggs family member has any memorabilia that they would like listed and/or shown on this website please contact us. If you have any family memorabilia that you would like to donate now or in the future, with recognition, to the University of Arizona Library Special Collections or a museum such as the Arizona Historical Society, please contact us, CONTACT.
RIGGS FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
CLICK ON EACH OF THE FOLLOWING FAMILY MEMBERS OR THEIR LISTED PAGES TO BE TAKEN TO THEIR PAGE/S OF PHOTOGRAPHS
SANDRA (RIGGS) COX
(1-4-8-3-1)
CASEY (RIGGS) DENNIS
(1-4-10-2-1)
BARBARA (RIGGS) GIBSON
(1-4-8-2-3)
JOHN B RIGGS
(1-4-8-2-1)
PHOTOGRAPHS OF RIGGS FAMILY BUILDINGS
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MARE PASTURE
PHOTOGRAPHS OF JOHN CASEY RIGGS FAMILY
SHEILA (LEVINE) RIGGS
(1-4-8-2-2A)
NANCY (RIGGS) SLOAN
(1-4-5-4-2)
TINA (RIGGS) THOMPSON
(1-4-10-3-2-1)
If you have Riggs Family photographs or photographs that you have taken that relate to the Riggs Family and would like to share them on this website please contact us at this link, CONTACT, and we will contact you and make arrangements to add your photographs to this section of the website. We encourage and thank you for joining us and look forward to hearing from you soon.
BOOK PUBLISHING
PRINTING OF PRE-COMPOSED OR CUSTOM COMPOSED RIGGS FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS
PRE-COMPOSED FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS
This page will allow any visitor, with a password, to select a pre-composed book, or books, and then send them to an online publisher of their choice to be printed and delivered.
CUSTOM COMPOSED FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS
This page will include instructions for any visitor, with a password, to compose their own custom family history book, and then send them to an online publisher of their choice to be printed and delivered.
ONLINE ONE-OFF BOOK PUBLISHERS
A list of online publishers with their website links will be provided on this page for visitors review and select. This will not preclude a visitor from selecting, on their own, a publisher who is not included in the list.
If you have any requests or suggestions regarding pre-composed or custom composed books, please contact us, CONTACT.
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