Biography of Thomas Diggs (1808 - 1888 )
History of Lincoln County, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888) page 525.

Thomas DIGGS (deceased) was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1808, and in 1815 came with his parents, David M. and Susan DIGGS, to St. Louis County, Mo., remaining there some three years and then coming, in 1817, to Lincoln County, being among its very earliest settlers. They located on Bryant’s Creek on what is known as the Boone farm, lived there seven or eight years, then moved one mile east, and there the father spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1863 when about eighty-eight years of age. He and his son, Thomas erected a saw and grist mill on Bryant’s Creek, which they managed for many years, it being probably the first water mill in Lincoln County. The country was in a very wild state at that day, and the woods were full of Indians and wild animals. They had to seek shelter and safety a number of times in Clark’s Fort, just below Troy, to protect themselves from the attacks of the former, who were very hostile at times. Thomas DIGGS was an only child, and his early playmates were the Indian lads, with whom he would smoke, eat muskrat, coon and opossum. Owing to the primitive state of the country he received no educational advantages, but by his own endeavors became versed in the rudimentary branches. He always lived on the old home farm and was recognized as one of the most industrious and honest citizens of the county. He was a great hunter and sportsman, and at the time of his death, which occurred March 10, 1888, was well fixed financially. He was married in 1832 to Jane, daughter of William and Sarah MCMILLIN, who were North Carolinians by birth, where Mrs. DIGGS was born in 1812. They died in Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. DIGGS were born eight children, five of whom are living: William C., Henry H., Benjamin F., Thomas J. and Sarah E., wife of J. D. TINDER. Mr. DIGGS took great interest in the cause of education and the general upbuilding of the country, and was noted for his hospitality and generosity, having reared and educated a number of orphan children. He was a Whig and a staunch Union man during the war, and later he became a Republican in politics. His son, David M., died in 1865 in the hospital at St. Louis, while serving his country, and Benjamin F., also served in the Union Army. Mr. DIGGS was a member of the Methodist Church and was strictly temperate in his habits.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Betty Lavy Krieg, 4 May 2001.  Link change or update: 27 May 2001

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