Civil War Pension File of Randolph S. Riggs

WC 844.254
Unit: Company I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Enlisted: 2 (or 14) Aug 1862 at Santa Anna, Illinois
Discharged: 2 Nov 1864 at Brown General Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
Physical Description: 5 feet, 1 (or 7) inch, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair

Documents:

(1) Certificate of Disability for Discharge – 23 Jul 1864 – Louisville, Kentucky
Randolph S. Riggs, private, of Captain David Lowry’s Company I of the 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was enlisted by E. L. Waller at Santa Anna, Illinois on 14 Aug 1862 to serve three years.  He was born in Clermont Co, Ohio, aged 32; 5 feet 1 inch; light complexion; blue eyes; light hair, and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.  Unfit for duty in consequence of chronic diarrhea – nothing known as to the cause.  Signed B. E. Fryer, Ass't Surgeon, in Charge of Hospital – 23 Jul 1864, Louisville, Ky.

Incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of chronic diarrhea with emaciation since enlistment.  Unfit for veteran reserve.  Disability one half.  Signed B. E. Fryer, Assistant Sergeon in charge Brown General Hospital.

Discharged 2 Nov 1864 at Brown General Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky.

The soldier desires to be addressed at Santa Anna, DeWitt Co, Illinois.

(2) Declaration For Original Invalid Pension – 3 Sep 1879 – Piatt Co, Illinois
Randolph S. Riggs, aged 48, resident of Galesville, Piatt Co, Illinois.  While in the service and in the line of his duty at Tompkinsville, Kentucky, on or about 4 July 1863, he contracted chronic diarrhea, varicose veins of both legs below the knee and varicocele caused by very hard marching and exposure.  He was treated at Brown General Hospital No. 7, Louisville, Kentucky.  Since leaving the service he has resided in DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois, and his occupation is a farmer.

(3) Affidavit of Dr. James W. Woodward – no date – Farmer City, Illinois
Dr. Woodward has practiced medicine for about 40 years.  He knew Randolph S. Riggs before he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a volunteer and was his family physician some five years before his enlistment.  Dr. Woodward believes Randolph Riggs was a sound and healthy man at the time of enlistment.  The doctor began treating him for chronic diarrhea about November 1864 and for varicose veins of both legs below the knee and varicocele and is treating him now.   He considers Randolph S. Riggs entirely incapacitated for manual labor by reason of the disabilities on which his claim is based.

(4) Affidavit of John W. Coleman – no date – Monticello, Piatt Co, Illinois
John W. Coleman was requested to examine Randolph S. Riggs and he certifies that Randolph Riggs has varicocele of left testicle and varicose veins of both legs the latter very badly, veins stand out like large cords and are the cause of much pain and inconvenience.  He claims to have chronic diarrhea which his general appearance indicates.  Diarrhea not excessive in winter but had during the summer season.  Signed John W. Coleman, assistant surgeon 41st Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

(5) Affidavit for Commissioned Officer or Comrade: David Lowry – stamped by the Pension Office Oct 1880 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
David Lowry, late Captain of Company I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, post office Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  States that on or about 4 July 1863 at Tompkinsville, Kentucky, Randolph Riggs contracted chronic diarrhea, varicose veins and varicocele, caused by hard marching and exposure to excessive heat.  He afterwards saw the claimant’s injury.  He was personally acquainted with the claimant several years prior to his enlistment and knows him to have been a sound man, entirely free from such disabilities as are herein stated.  Signed David Lowry, late Capt. Co. I 107th Regt Ills Vols.

(6) Adjutant General Report – 31 Mar 1881 – Washington D.C.
The muster rolls show that Randolph S. Riggs was absent, sick at Louisville, Ky. since 16 Aug 1863 with proper authority.  31 Oct 1863, reported the same.  31 Dec 1863, present.  29 Feb 1864, left sick at Knoxville, Tennessee.  Reported the same up to 31 Oct 1864.  Discharged on Surgeons Certificate of disability 2 Nov 1864.  The records of this office furnish no evidence of alleged disabilities.  Nature of sickness in 1863 & 4 not stated.

(7) General Affidavit of Conrow Vannote – stamped by the pension office July 2, 1881 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Conrow Vannote, aged 36, Post Office Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  He states he has known Randolph S. Riggs since he was five years old and knows he was a sound healthy man at the date of his enlistment.  He saw the claimant a few days after his return home after discharge and has known him ever since up to the present date.  They live near each other and are neighbors.  At the time of his return the applicant was suffering from chronic diarrhea and varicose veins of both legs below the knees.  He knows this from working with and for the said applicant and by seeing him on an average of once a week.  Randolph is frequently disabled by said diseases for a week or two at a time.  The affiant has attended him during many of his spells of sickness and had seen his legs shortly after his return and a great many times since and knows that he is suffering with the same disease of the lower limbs called by some “bursting of the veins of the ankle.” At no time since 1869 has he been able to do regular manual labor, his ankles preventing him moving about to work.  His diarrhea is quite painful and his bowels move from four to five times a day.  He has never known the claimant to do regular hard labor but at driving a team he can sometimes do a full days labor.

(8) Drop Notice – 20 Dec 1911 – Chicago, Illinois
Randolph S. Riggs, Co. I 107th Illinois Infantry, Certificate No. 211.454 Invalids Class.  Last paid $24 to 4 Oct 1911.  Dropped because of death, 15 Dec 1911.

(9) Copy of Death Certificate – 15 Jan 1912 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Randolph S. Riggs, aged 79 years 20 days, died 15 Dec 1911 at about 12 a.m. at Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  Buried Greenleaf Cemetery 17 Dec at 2:30 p.m.  Cause of death was neuralgia of Heart.  Signed by John A. Davy, MD

(10) Declaration of a Widow for Accrued Pension – 19 Feb 1912 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
“Dorth” J. Riggs, aged 57, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  States she is the widow of Randolph S. Riggs who was a pensioner by certificate No. 211.454.  He was last paid 4 Oct 1911.  He died 15 Dec 1911.  Both had been previously married.  Randolph was married to “Deboria OBrian” who died 7 May 1899.  Dortha was married to James F. Gordon, divorced 14 Jan 1898.  Her post office is Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois.   She signed with an "X," which was witnessed by C. F. Riggs and W. T. Riggs.
Statement of R. S. McBride and Dill Farmer, both of Farmer City, who say believe her to be the identical person she represents herself to be.

(11) Affidavit of Dorothy J. Riggs – 14 Oct 1912 – Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois
Mrs. Dorthy J. Riggs, formally Gordon, testifies that she was not married between 1898 when she received a divorce from Gordon until 30 November 1900 she she married Randolph S. Riggs, who died 15 Dec 1911 at Farmer City, Illinois.  She signed with an "X."  Witnesses: Harry S. Farmer, aged 43, and Russell Calvert, aged 52, both residents of Farmer City, who state that to the best of their knowledge she did not marry until she married Randolph S. Riggs.

(12) Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Act of 19 Apr 1908 amended by Act of 8 Sep 1916 – 17 Oct 1916 – DeWitt Co, Ill.
Dortha Jane Riggs, aged 65, born 31 Mar 1851 at Hillsdale, Indiana.  Declares she is the widow of Randolph S. Riggs who she married 29 Nov 1900 under the name, Dortha Jane Gordon.  They were married at Farmer City, Illinois, by Rev. Conover.  Randolph S. Riggs’ first wife died 8 May 1899.  Randolph died 15 Dec 1911 and drew a pension until his death under certificate #211.454.   Mrs. Dortha Jane Gordon was married to John T. Page 15 Aug 1871 who died 29 Nov 1888 at Farmer City, Illinois.  They were divorced.  She signed with an "X."  Witnesses were J. B. Nowlin of Farmer City, Illinois and A. J. Knapp of Farmer City, Illinois.

(13) Affidavit of J. D. Scott, aged 75, and W. W. Murphy, aged 78 – stamped by the Pension Office 23 Mar 1917 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Affiants state that Dorothy Jane Riggs is the surviving widow of Randolph S. Riggs, deceased, and further state that she has not been married since the death of her husband.

(14) Affidavit of Dorothy Jane Riggs – 25 Sep 1917 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Statement of Dorothy Jane Riggs stating that her former husband, John T. Page, served in the Army as a private in Company I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enrolled 12 Aug 1862 and “Mustard” out 21 Jun 1865 at Salisbury, North Carolina.  She further states that she never received a pension from her former husband, John T. Page, nor had she ever “applied” for a pension under his name.   Signed with an "X."  Witnesses were H. S. Farmer and W. E. Reid

(15) Affidavit of Dorothy Jane Riggs – 4 Mar 1918 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Dorthy Jane Riggs states that she is the widow of Randolph S. Riggs who died 15 Dec 1911.  She further states that James F. Gordon did not serve in the Army or Navy of the United States.  She signed with an "X."  Witness W. H. Weedman

Compiled Service Record, Randolph S. Riggs, Private, Company I, 107th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, File Designation WC 844.254, National Archives, Washington, D.C.