John Robert Briggs and Mary Ethel White On Their Wedding Day, March 2, 1904   Click on Picture for larger view Click HERE to visit Denis Graham's site for more pictures and info about this couple.

Born May 29, 1882 in Leesville, Henry county, Missouri
Married: March 2, 1904 in Leesville, Missouri
Died: February 10, 1971 in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas

John was born into a hard-line Baptist minister's family. Strict discipline was the rule. Hard work and long hours at Bible study kept the body and soul strong, was the opinion.

When John married Mary White he was working as a telephone switchboard operator. Around 1910, he moved his family to Rockville, Missouri in Bates County, where he and Mary owned and operated the J. R. Briggs Restaurant. In 1922, John moved his family to Fort Scott, Kansas. There, he worked as a grocer, and then for the Interstate Garage. Later, he worked for the local YMCA as a custodian.

More about Mary Ethel White:
Born: July 11, 1887 in Leesville, Missouri
Died: November 30, 1961 in Fort Scott, Kansas

Mary, who went by her middle name, was a very religious woman. Besides religion, she had a passion for flowers and maintained a large flower garden. She died of Cancer in 1961. Both Mary Ethel and John are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, just north of Fort Scott, KS.

Children:
Lester Marlin Briggs - June 20, 1905
Clarice Helen Briggs - September 17, 1906

Double Golden Wedding Anniversary of John & Ethel Briggs and Mr. & Mrs. W.D. DeLozier

Mr. and Mrs. W. D. DeLozier of Clinton, Missouri and Mr. and Mrs. John Briggs of 761 Clark, Fort Scott, Kansas observed their golden wedding anniversary March 2 in a ceremony and reception at the First Baptist Church of Clinton. The marriage vows were renewed with the DeLoziers' son the Rev. Homer DeLozier, pastor of the Maplewood, Mo., Baptist church officiating.

A reception was held in the church parlor in a setting of yellow gladioli and roses. Both couples received many gifts and cards. Out of town guests numbered approximately 100. From Fort Scott were Mrs. Helen Graham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs; the Misses Carrie, Viola, and Delia Gosser, Mrs. David Hunt, Pauline Lane, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Green, Mrs. Zela Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones and Larry, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Graham and family; and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Brotherton, Mrs. Briggs' brother Albert White, came from Los Angeles especially for the celebration.

Eighty members of the Church of God, 6th and Wilson, Fort Scott, surprised Mr. and Mrs. Briggs with a visit at their home after their return to Fort Scott.

March 1954