Joshua Biggs (January 1, 1821 – July 9, 1888) was an American politician and miller from Maryland. He represented Frederick County as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1861 to 1862 and in 1864, and as a member of the Maryland Senate from 1868 to 1870.

Joshua Biggs
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the Frederick County district
In office
1868–1870
Preceded byCharles E. Trail
Succeeded byLewis Henry Steiner
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the Frederick County district
In office
1861–1864
Preceded byThomas J. Claggett, John A. Johnson, Andrew Kessler, David W. Naill, Jonathan Routzahn, William E. Salmon
Succeeded byDavid Agnew, Upton Buhrman, Samuel Keefer, David J. Markey, David Rinehart, Thomas A. Smith
Personal details
Born(1821-01-01)January 1, 1821
DiedJuly 9, 1888(1888-07-09) (aged 67)
Rocky Ridge, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeRocky Ridge, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyWhig
Democratic
Spouse
Phoebe S. Morrison
(m. 1856)
Children4
Alma materPennsylvania College
Occupation
  • Politician
  • miller
  • businessman

Early life

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Joshua Biggs was born on January 1, 1821, at the Buck Forest farm, to Sarah (née Haines) and William Biggs.[1] He graduated from Pennsylvania College. He taught school and studied medicine.[1]

Career

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Prior to the Civil War, Biggs was a Whig. After the war, he was a Democrat.[1] He was school inspector of Frederick County from 1851 to 1865. He became director of the Western Maryland Railroad Company in 1866. He was also director of the Baltimore County Fire Insurance Company.[1]

Biggs served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Frederick County, from 1861 to 1862 and in 1864.[1][2] He served as a member of the Maryland Senate, representing Frederick County, from 1868 to 1870.[1][3]

Biggs owned 500 acres (200 ha) of farmland and the Isabella Mills on Owens Creek. Around 1885, he turned over his mill and depot businesses to his sons.[1]

Personal life

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Biggs married Phoebe S. Morrison on November 11, 1856. They had four sons, including William and Sheridan.[1] In 1870, he built a residence and depot at Rocky Ridge.[1]

Biggs had cancer in his jaw in March 1887. He died on July 9, 1888, at Rocky Ridge. He was interred in Rocky Ridge.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Death of Hon. Joshua Biggs". Catoctin Clarion. July 12, 1888. p. 3. Retrieved March 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  2. ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Frederick County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 4, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Historical List, Senate, Frederick County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 20, 2005. Retrieved March 10, 2024.