Andrew Jackson Wiggin

Andrew returned to Boston in 1857, and that same year he came to Iowa, making the trip by rail to Mount Pleasant and from there by stage to Prairie City, Iowa. He purchased eighty acres of land in Des Moines township. The following year, on 27 Dec 1857 Andrew married CYNTHIA ANNE PARKER of Definance, Ohio. This marriage eventually ended in divorce. Cynthia remarried to a Mr. Lamb and had a child by him, Will Lamb.

Cynthia Ann Amelia was born 11 Feb 1839 and died in 1878. Their residence was in Prairie City, Jasper Co. Iowa. Her father was Archelaus T. Parker, born 5 Aug 1803 and died 8 Oct 1883 at Caney, Montgomery Co. Kansas. Her mother was Phoebe Ann Crocker. She died of accidental poisoning at Salt Lake, Utah. Archelaus and Phoebe were married 4 Sept 1828 at Shalersville, Portage Co, Ohio. Cynthia's brother was Milton D. Parker. Cynthia's grandfather was Archelays R. Parker from Vermont. Her grandmother was Sarah Tefft. Her grandparents were married 11 Nov 1798 and settled at Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co, Ohio. He died at Blaine, Boone Co, Ill, and is buried in Blaine Cemetery. Sarah died in Ashtabula Co, Ohio. Their children were Samuel M. Wanton H, Archelaus T, Cynthia, James E, Betsy, Orrin, Lavina, Amasa.

When the great rebellion broke out in the early sixties, Andrew felt it his duty to forsake the pleasures of home, to leave his fields to grow up in weeds and go the front and do what he could in saving the Union, consequently in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he saw much hard service and proving himself to be a true and gallant American soldier, an exponent of the Anglo-Saxon that has never been defeated. He took part in fourteen of the hardest-fought battles of the war, besides a number of skirmishes. He was in, among others, both battles of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Raymond, Jackson, Holly Springs, Iuka, Champion's Hill, New Madrid and Missionary Ridge. His regiment was in the brunt of the bloody clash at Champion's Hill, and his company of thirty-four men lost twenty-two, including Captain Pogue. Captain Drew was their captain when they were mustered out in October, 1864, at Kingston, Georgia.

After his return home, Andrew took up the cultivation of his land and about twenty years later he sold the 80 acres and bought 40 ares where he lived, adjoining Prairie City. Later he added to this until he had one hundred and sixty acres, which he farmed successfully until he retired from active life, and later he sold all his land but four acres around his house, There he continued to reside, the town having grown out around him. He was judicious in investing his money in various ways until in his retirement he enjoyed an income of five dollars per day. Andrew had been twice married, but for a number of years he lived single. Andrew was a Republican, but he never sought office. He cast his first vote for Fremont for President, he having been a resident of San Francisco at that time. He was a member of the McCray Post No. 27, Grand Army of the Republic, being a charter member. He was its commander for several years, also served as senior vice-commander. He was always active and prominent in the organization.

Andrew's daughter Carrie cared for him through his aging years, to his death. She once wrote to her brother George a card and implied that he was mellowing in his old age, said Andrew had a child-like gentleness about him. After Andrew died, Carrie took the deed of his property and had it placed in her name. She felt it her due after the many years of dedication in caring for him. He left a considerable amount of money which, no doubt, was divided among the children. His son George may have been the administrator of the estate, but didn't receive any large amounts of money from it.

Records show Andrew had three daughters that may have been from his second marriage: Phebe and Penelope--Twins, and Lucy.

Andrew and Cynthia's children were Mary Annetta, Norris Lincoln, Philura Lou Janaetta, Carrie Emeline, Orrin Grant, Martha Louisa, Ida Ann and GEORGE HAYES.

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