History of the 
Joshua Briggs Family

In 1843 three families came to make their homes in what is now the city of Rockford, Smith Lapham, Mr. Morton and Nelson Hunter. In 1845 Joshua Briggs purchased Section 25 in Algoma township and in July came with his family from Yates county, New York , to make their home there. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, six children and ten grandchildren, one grand daughter, Nora E. Briggs, is still living and she still owns one-quarter section of the old home. Where U. S. 131 now extends, not a pathway had been carved out from the forest in 1845. The first homes were log houses. Next came the frame buildings and now the modern homes with electricity, telephones and the paved highway. The Grand Rapids and Indian Railroad was built in 1867. Purchase of right of way was made of Joshua Briggs at that time. The Rockford Register, established on February 8, 1871, numbered among its first subscribers, Joshua Briggs. During the time since it has been a continual visitor to the Briggs home. Nora E. Briggs is still a subscriber to the Register.