Individual Details
Merritt Craig Briscoe
(25 Apr 1818 - 28 Jan 1898)
from a 1905 biography
Merritt Craig Briscoe, the father of S. M. Briscoe, was born at Elizabethtown, Ky., April 25, 1818. In his youth he accompanied his parents to Missouri, and for many years thereafter his life history is closely interwoven with the history of Lewis and Marion counties of that state, his early manhood having been spent in the former county.
He was joined in marriage with Alzada Morton, a native of Owensboro, Ky., and a daughter of Samuel Morton also a Kentuckian. In 1831 Mr. Morton moved to Missouri, locating in Marion county, and at Palmyra, the county-seat, he engaged in a general merchandise business, and for years was among the most successful merchants of that place. He was an old line Whig in his political views, and like the majority of the early settlers, he took an active part in the Indian disturbances. Mrs. Briscoe still survives her husband, and although she was born May 10, 1823, she is still hale and hearty and resides with her son, S. M., near Fresno. Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe were blessed with four children, only one of whom is now living, and he was the eldest child of the family.
In 1861 the father entered the Confederate army under General McCullough, and served as a private for three years, mostly in the Western Army Corps. The son also enlisted the same year, and for four years served as a private messenger for Gen. Kirby Smith between Dallas and New Orleans. He served throughout the war, being mustered out of service in 1865, when he returned to Dallas.
Merritt Craig Briscoe, the father of S. M. Briscoe, was born at Elizabethtown, Ky., April 25, 1818. In his youth he accompanied his parents to Missouri, and for many years thereafter his life history is closely interwoven with the history of Lewis and Marion counties of that state, his early manhood having been spent in the former county.
He was joined in marriage with Alzada Morton, a native of Owensboro, Ky., and a daughter of Samuel Morton also a Kentuckian. In 1831 Mr. Morton moved to Missouri, locating in Marion county, and at Palmyra, the county-seat, he engaged in a general merchandise business, and for years was among the most successful merchants of that place. He was an old line Whig in his political views, and like the majority of the early settlers, he took an active part in the Indian disturbances. Mrs. Briscoe still survives her husband, and although she was born May 10, 1823, she is still hale and hearty and resides with her son, S. M., near Fresno. Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe were blessed with four children, only one of whom is now living, and he was the eldest child of the family.
In 1861 the father entered the Confederate army under General McCullough, and served as a private for three years, mostly in the Western Army Corps. The son also enlisted the same year, and for four years served as a private messenger for Gen. Kirby Smith between Dallas and New Orleans. He served throughout the war, being mustered out of service in 1865, when he returned to Dallas.
Events
| Birth | 25 Apr 1818 | Kentucky, United States | |||
| Death | 28 Jan 1898 | Fresno, California, United States | |||
| Marriage | Alzada Morton |  |
Families
| Spouse | Alzada Morton (1823 - 1909) |
| Father | Walter Briscoe (1771 - 1855) |
| Mother | Hester "Hetty" Henton (1775 - 1858) |
| Sibling | Sarah "Sally" Briscoe ( - 1828) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth Briscoe ( - ) |
| Sibling | Stephen Briscoe (1800 - 1887) |
| Sibling | John Henton Briscoe (1802 - 1875) |
| Sibling | Mary Jane Briscoe ( - ) |
| Sibling | William Chenoweth Briscoe (1807 - 1890) |
| Sibling | Walter David Briscoe (1809 - 1853) |
| Sibling | Isaac Henry Briscoe ( - ) |
Endnotes
1. Lillie, Shirley., Van Meter genealogy emails and group sheets. (Montezuma, Iowa: Shirley Lillie,