Family who came from Tennessee in 1817 and settled first in Troy, Illinois and then in Athens, Illinois. Harry and James Riggin came to Illinois and first settled in Troy which they helped found. Harry eventually moved to Athens where he opened a small trading post on his farm in 1825 which he managed for several years. James moved to Lebanon in St. Clair County and helped found McKendree College. James married Elizabeth Rogers and Harry married Miriam Rogers. The sisters' brother, Dr. Timothy Rogers, owned a plantation and slaves in Louisiana. Augustus, son of Harry, attended McKendree College, graduated from Illinois College in Jacksonville and taught school at several towns in the area. He read the law, but never practiced. Instead he ran for County Clerk losing in 1840, but winning the next two elections and then retiring to farm. James H. and William were James' sons. William attended McKendree College and became a doctor, James worked as a clerk, changing jobs often, developing a drinking problem and spending much of his life in the Jacksonville Insane Asylum.
From the description of Papers, 1822-1903. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 54101898
