Nathan L Briggs

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Nathan L Briggs

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

Mr. Briggs, who is now serving his second term as mayor of Boonton, was born in Wareham, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, on the 4th of January, 1845, his parents being Job M. and Rebecca (Holmes) Briggs. The father was a native of Nantucket, and was a sea captain, which vocation he followed for many years. He and his wife both departed this life in Massachusetts.

Nathan L. Briggs was reared in the city of his nativity until 1862, receiving his literary education in the public and night schools, until September, 1862, when he came to Boonton and found employment in the Boonton Nail Works, with which he continued until the closing of the enterprise, in 1876, when tie went to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, as superintendent of Van Alens Nail Works, filling that position for the ensuing ten years, when, his health failing, he resigned and returned to Boonton.

In 1889 Mr. Briggs became one of the organizers of the Boonton Building & Loan Association, in which he has since held the office of president. He has been active in promoting the interests of the association, and he is also a director in the Boonton National Bank.

Politically Mr. Briggs is an energetic supporter of the Republican party, served as a trustee of the village of Boonton, was a member of the committee that effected its incorporation as a city, and for two terms has held the office of mayor, bringing to that preferment a high order of intelligence and executive ability and discharging the duties pertaining thereto with circumspection and to the fullest satisfaction of the public. Socially he is affiliated with Arcania Lodge, No. 60, Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Briggs solemnized his marriage in 1867, being in that year united to Miss Amelia C. Norris, a daughter of James S. Norris, of Boonton. He and his wife are both faithful attendants of the Presbyterian church and contribute liberally to its support. They are popular in the social circles of their home city and enjoy the warm regard of their numerous friends.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly