BRIGGS, Howard - Putnam

HOWARD BRIGGS was born in Newark, Ohio, December 23, 1833.  His father, Benjamin Briggs, was one of the oldest newspaper men in the Buckeye State, having established the Newark (Ohio) *Advocate* in 1820, and published the same over forty years.  He then retired from active pursuits.  He had married Nancy English, and both are now deceased.  They were the parents of four daughters and two sons.  Of the latter, Murray Briggs is the editor and proprietor of the Sullivan (Indiana) *Democrat*, and Howard is the subject of this biographical notice.

He received a limited amount of schooling, and while of very tender years received his first introduction to newspaper work, to which he was reared under his father's care, and to which he has devoted his life since.  At the age of twenty-four he established the Press at Greencastle, and published the same until 1882.  He then sold to F. A. Arnold, of the *Star*, entering into an engagement not to follow journalism in this place for two years.  He was during this specified period the proprietor of the "City News Mart," and in April, 1884, started the *Democrat*, as before stated.  Mr. Briggs has taken an active and influential part in politics, but not for his own advancement.  He at present holds the honorable position of trustee of the State Institution for the Education of the Blind at Indianapolis.  Mr. Briggs is a member of but one secret order, the Knights of Labor.  He was united in marriage in May, 1866, with Mrs. Margaret A. Campbell, of Greencastle, and they have two sons--Edwin M. and John P.  By a former marriage Mrs. Briggs has one son, James Noble Campbell.