In the great competitive struggle of life, when each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or else be overtaken by disaster of time and place, there is ever particular interest attaching to the life of one who has turned the tide of success, has surmounted obstacles and has shown his ability to cope with others in their rush for the coveted goal. This Mr. Briggs has one, and to-day he is at the head of the extensive business conducted under the name of the Troy Marble Works.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, he was born on October 11, 1858. His father, W. H. Briggs, of that, city, was born in England, and when a lad of seven years came to America with his parents. After attaining to man's estate he established marble works in Dayton, in 1866, and enjoyed a large trade which extended over sections of Ohio and Indiana. He is now living retired, making his home in Vandalia, this state. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary A. Barman and was a native of Cincinnati, her father, James Barman, having located there in an early day after his emigration from Germany to the New World. This worthy couple had four children: Charles, Harry, Katie, who married O. R. Davis, of San Antonio, Texas; and May, who married Charles Miller, of Troy, Ohio.

Mr. Briggs, whose name introduces this review, attended the schools of Dayton and learned the marble-cutter's trade with his father. He began business on his own account in Troy, in 1887, and has since carried on operations along that line, his trade steadily and constantly increasing until it now extends over eight counties in Ohio and eastern Indiana. The excellent grade of work done in the factory secures him a large sale and a continuance of the success which has hitherto rewarded his labors.

In 1886, in Vandalia, Ohio, occurred the marriage of Mr. Briggs and Miss Carrie North, a daughter of J. V. North, who now makes his home in Troy, and travels for Mr. Briggs as a representative of the monument business. They now have a son, Walter, who is attending school.

The success which Mr. Briggs has won has enabled him to make judicious investments in real estate, and, in connection with the land on which his business plant is located, he is the owner of a tasteful residence, which he occupies, also two dwellings on the river opposite the town, and other property. In politics he is a Democrat, and in the year when Troy was incorporated as a city he became a member of the city council, filling that position for five years. He exercised his official prerogatives in support of the various measures and movements which contributed toward the public good and promoted the progress of the city along material lines of development. He is now numbered among the leading business men of Troy, and belongs to that class of representative Americans who, while promoting individual success, also aids in establishing the public good.