Ranson Riggs, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Johnson County. He was born November 7, 1825, and was a son of Ransom and Sarah (Treamain) Riggs. The father, of German descent, was born March 6, 1789, and died January 16, 1863. The mother was a native of New Hampshire, born June 30, 1795. Our subject was reared on a farm in Johnson County. He received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself. He worked at the carpenter’s trade about ten years, and then settled on a farm, where he departed this life February 24, 1888. August 25, 1859, he was united in marriage with Catharine Vickerman, a daughter of William and Marion (Crichton) Vickerman, whose father was of English descent, born April 21, 1796; and the mother of Scotch descent, born November 20, 1795, and departed this life September 12, 1850. This union was blessed with the following children: William V., born August 1, 1860; Sarah M., July 16, 1862; Elizabeth J., May 22, 1864; James A., May 23, 1866; Anna M., September 1, 1868, and Laura 5., March 10, 1870. The mother of these children was born January 2, 1831. He and wife were members of the old-school Baptist Church. In politics, he was a republican, and served his county one term as commissioner. He was a man well liked by every one, and by his straightforward course had gained the confidence of all who knew him. By a will, he left to his widow 340 acres of well-improved land in Nineveh Township. His family is among the highly respectable families of Nineveh Township.