RIGGIN, Mary Ellen - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mary Ellen Riggin, wife of the late Col. LG Riggin was born in Ross County, Ohio June 9, 1843. She was of stury pioneer stock and when she was very young her parents moved to Fountain County, Indians settling near Rob Roy where they lived about two years, moving from there to Carroll County this state.  Here she grew to womanhood and was married to Louis G. Riggin Dec 31, 1862.  Immediately following their marriage they moved to Attica where she lived the remainder of her life with the exception of a few months  lived in Kansas and three months in Davis Township.  11 children were given to this marriage 7 dying in infancy and four surviving; one son, Frank A. Riggin of Lafayette; Mrs. JL Freeman of Monte Vista, Colo; Mrs., Wm. Lenhart of Hoopeston, Ill and Mrs. WA Smith of this city. There also survive five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one brother, William May of Roscoe, Ill.  After the loss of her husband her children and grandchildren very tenderly cared for her, giving her every possible attention and comforting her only as loving children can.  Little Billie Mae Weaver her great granddaughter was her great comfort and joy. She passed into rest Nov 10, 1922 aged 80 years, 5 months and 1 day.  In her community life Mrs. Riggin was loved by all who knew her; she was always ready to overlook and to excuse the faults of those whom most people were ready to criticize and centure. In her home she was an affection wife and a fond mother, ever attending faithfully to those duties coming within her realm and leaving to others those affairs which were not her concern.  In all she was a model of excellence. These are the noblest traits that can be attributed to anyone.  Though afflicted for many years, she did not grow weary of her burdens, but with remarkable persistence she continued her work for the good and betterment of all.  To all she was a source of admonition and encouragement, dispelling adversity at all times. Her every act and deed glowed with the kindness and affection she held for mankind. Long years were hers in this life and through them we see the beacon lights of a character beautiful in its simplicity, a nature filled with the love of human kindness, a mother whose love was as wide as want, a woman whose gracious manners left their indelible impression along the journey that neared the century post. Surely the angels in Heaven rejoice at receiving such a sweet spirit shaped and matured by long years of tenderness and loving kindness accomplished in life’s greatest work.  “Though being dead she speaketh. They are going down the river, one by one, they are going toward the setting sun.”  A death is always fraught with sadness and heartache, yet there is less of it when it comes naturally and peacefully at the close of a long busy and honorable life as did that of Mary E. Riggin.