John W. Diggs

As printed in 1882

JOHN W. DIGGS, son of Armsbee and Mary Diggs, was born on the 20tii of January, 182(3, at the old homestead in White River Township, Randolph County, Ind. He has pas.sed his days in this county from childhood to mature age, and has been identified more or less prominently with the public welfare

It of th county di boyhood, iie labored under (hr disadvantages common to a new settlement, particularly in respect to school privileges, and the greater portion of his time was required in the work of (he home farm. He attended school in one of the rude schoolhouses of that period, but his education is mostly self-acquired. His elder brother married and loft home, and he, being the next in age, took upon himself the burden of the work about the farm, and continued to work for his father until 1849. In May of that year he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Helms, and sister of G. W. Helms, of Winchester. After his marriage, he rented a portion of his father's farm, which he continued to cultivate until the spring of 1862. He had learned the carpenter's trade, and at the date last named adopted that pursuit for a livelihood. In 1865, he adopted the citbinet-niaker's trade, which he pursued successfully until the winter of I8fil-G2. He sold his shop at that time and has since been engaged in the undertaker's line. His life has been a success, financially and otherwise. He never believed in wasting time, and his years have been years of industry. He has acquired a comfortable fortune, all of which has been gained by honest toil. So firmly have the habits of his youth become a part of his nature, that he is always happiest when busily engaged at some manual labor. And while his industrious life has well earned complete rest for his later years, he lacks the inclination to a-cept it. The bride of his early years has been spared to conjfort and cheer his later life, and share with him the high regard and esteem of the community. They are the parents of three sons, named, respectively, George S., Charles C. and Eddie F. The former is the senior member of the firm of Diggs fi Way, of Winchester, while the younger brothers occupy the stiitions of clerks. Mr. Diggs is recognized as one of our best citizens, and has always felt an interest in the progress and public welfare of this county and town, contributing liberally to enterprises inaugurated with this end in view. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been identified with this denomination for a number of years. His life has been consistent with his religion, and in all his dealings with his fellow-men he has been honorable and fair. He became a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity at Winchester in 1854, and is still an active and enthusiastic member of that order, having attained the rank of a Uniformed Patriarch in the Encampment. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. His father was a Whig, and in his early boyhood, the son embraced the principles of that party, and later was a radical.Vbolitionist. He took an active though quiet part in the anti-slavery movements in this county, and upon the rise of the Republican party he became one of its earliest and stanchest friends and supporters, and has ever since been one of its most unwavering adherents. He hps never felt political ambition, and never sought public office. He has, however, been elected to several local positions by the spontaneous will of the people, and without eflTort on his own part. He was elected six times in succession to the office of Trustee of White River Township, and afterward served two years as Clerk and Treasurer of the town of Winchester,.and subsequently as Trustee of the corporation.

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.