Home > United States of America > Iowa > Fayette County > Oelwein > Woodlawn Cemetery > James Everett “Pete” Briggs

James Everett “Pete” Briggs

Birth	:	17 Mar 1912 Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	18 Sep 1969 Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6805992, -91.9356003
Description	:	James went by the name "Pete". He was born on March 17, 1912, in Oelwein, Fayette County, IA. Pete's parents were William Henry Briggs and Jennie Mae Chambers. Pete was a factory worker in Detroit, Michigan,for awhile. Pete married Helen M. Parker, in Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, on Nov. 19, 1938. His wedding record states that he was divorced on Nov. 18, 1938, prior to marrying Helen. The 1940 census lists Pete as a railroad fireman for the CGW railroad, and Helen and Pete are living in Jefferson Township,... Read More	James went by the name "Pete". He was born on March 17, 1912, in Oelwein, Fayette County, IA. Pete's parents were William Henry Briggs and Jennie Mae Chambers. Pete was a factory worker in Detroit, Michigan,for awhile. Pete married Helen M. Parker, in Angola, Steuben County, Indiana, on Nov. 19, 1938. His wedding record states that he was divorced on Nov. 18, 1938, prior to marrying Helen. The 1940 census lists Pete as a railroad fireman for the CGW railroad, and Helen and Pete are living in Jefferson Township, Fayette County, IA. On July 26, 1948, the city of Oelwein, IA, was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. Pete had been asked to play the calliope in the Jubilee parade. When Pete got up from bed that morning, his eyesight was a bit blurred. He went downtown at 8:00 a.m. to practice playing the calliope. He then did some banking. As he left the bank and was stepping off the curb, everything went black and his eyes started to hurt. After a month of suffering from the pain his physician took him to Iowa City where he received surgery to relieve the pain. He was told that he'd developed glaucoma. He later went for a second surgery at the Mayo clinic, but saw no improvement. About 6 weeks prior to losing his eyesight he was knocked down while the engine was switching and stopped suddenly. As he fell, his eye struck an ejector handle of the steam engine. This resulted in a gash that required stitches. Pete was 13 months shy of having worked long enough to receive a pension. He had to rely on state blind assistance, and Helen sold items that she crocheted. The Oelwein Daily Register interviewed Pete on Dec. 10, 1949. A Christmas for Pete Briggs Fund was started and the citizens of Oelwein and Chicago Great Western employees contributed over $600 to help Pete and Helen out. Eventually Pete issued a lawsuit against his employer that was waged in court from Feb. 1951 to Feb. 1954. The Lions Club made arrangements to send Pete to Minnesota to be trained to use a guide dog. Unfortunately, the stress of dealing with the lawsuit became too much for Pete, and he was no longer emotionally able to continue with the training. The railroad argued that Pete developed glaucoma because he had diabetes, but Pete finally won a $94,000 settlement in the end. When Pete had his sight, he had a model train layout that consisted of 14 electric trains. He also repaired electric trains for others. When he could no longer see, Pete and his wife packed the train sets up. He donated some of the accesories to a toy drive. Pete also went to the grade school and shared his knowledge of trains with the school children. Pete continued to share his musical talent by playing the accordian and organ at many gatherings. Prior to his death in 1969 he gave his 120-bass accordian to an 11-year old blind Cresco youth, Bobby Kappler.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Everett “Pete” Briggs's memorial?
James Everett “Pete” Briggs's memorial is located at: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Fayette County, USA.
When did James Everett “Pete” Briggs death?
James Everett “Pete” Briggs death on 18 Sep 1969 in Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Everett “Pete” Briggs's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6805992
Longitude: -91.9356003

Family Members:

Parent

William Henry Briggs

(1883 - 1962)

Jennie Mae Chambers Briggs

(1884 - 1923)

Spouse

Helen Mary Parker Briggs

(1912 - 1998)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Old Catholic Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6728000, -91.9169000

2. Oakdale Cemetery
Oelwein, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6732000, -91.9164500

3. Oran Township Cemetery
Oran, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6571999, -91.9721985

4. Otsego Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6467018, -91.8778000

5. Floral Hills Memorial Gardens
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6293983, -91.9103012

6. Kint Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6357994, -91.8799973

7. Saint Marys Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6164017, -91.8983002

8. North Amish Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6171989, -91.9832993

9. Fontana Cemetery
Hazleton, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6046982, -91.9052963

10. Fairbank Cemetery
Fairbank, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6421200, -92.0473900

11. Calvary Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7663994, -91.9860992

12. Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery
Oran Township, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6472015, -92.0575027

13. Stanley Cemetery
Stanley, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6371994, -91.8146973

14. Long Grove Cemetery
Maynard, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7708000, -91.8766000

15. Kier-Union Cemetery
Fairbank, Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5833000, -92.0161000

16. Saint Peter Lutheran Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7863998, -92.0028000

17. Hope Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8027992, -91.9610977

18. Green Wood Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7768000, -92.0423000

19. Amish Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5689011, -92.0224991

20. Garden Prairie Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7310982, -91.7647018

21. Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Bremer County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7080994, -92.1211014

22. Center Grove Cemetery
Randalia, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185997, -91.8756027

23. Union United Methodist Cemetery
Westgate, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8185100, -91.9992100

24. Saint Michaels Cemetery
Buchanan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5532990, -92.0614014