The 1888 Okemos Union School student listing included a young man named Arthur Clarence Briggs. Arthur was the son of Civil War Union veteran George B. Briggs (1833-1901) and wife, Margaret "Maggie" Sturdevant (1851-1933). Born 10 March 1894, Eagle Township, Clinton County, Arthur probably lived with relatives or friends in the Okemos area while attending Okemos school. His parents farmed for decades in Clinton County.

The elder Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were married in 1869. They grew into a family of four with the birth of two sons, Alfred, born in 1871, and George, born 1874. The boys were located in the 1880 US Federal Census, Clinton County, Michigan but living within another Briggs family and identified as their sons. How and why young Arthur came to Ingham County and Okemos Union School will most likely never be known but later, in the 1890's, both he and his brother Alfred moved to the Flathead area of Montana where a maternal uncle, Henry Wilson Sturdevant, was living. Arthur married Maud E. Pennington, a Clinton County, Michigan girl, in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, 18 October 1894. The couple started their married life in Montana but by 1910 had moved back to the Clinton County, Michigan area. The 1920 US Federal Census documented Arthur and Maud living in Ingham County, Michigan. From the 1930's until Arthur's death in 1942 the couple, who never had children, farmed in Vevay Township, Ingham County.

Arthur passed away 26 April 1942, Ingham County. Maud, born 1 November 1874, died 3 December 1947, Lansing. The couple were both interred North Eagle Cemetery, Eagle Township, Clinton County, Michigan.

The Ingham County News dated 7 May 1942 had the following written obituary about Arthur.

"Arthur Clarence Briggs was born to George and Margaret Briggs in Eagle Township March 10, 1874, and passed away April 22, 1942, at the age of 62 years. On October 18, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Maud Pennington at Billings, Montana. Except for 11 years, which were spent in Montana, Mr. Briggs lived all his life in Michigan, the last 25 which were spent in their farm home near Mason. Mr. Briggs is survived by one older brother, Alfred, who lives in Montana. Those who knew him, knew him as a friend and speak of the honest and uprightness - one who sought to fill his place in humanity. He was a devoted husband and will be missed by all who knew him even with the passing years."

Briggs, Arthur Clarence (married Maud E. Pennington 1899) Michigan Certificate of Death 1942

Pennington, Maud E. (married Arhur Clarence Briggs 1899) Michigan Cerificate of Death 1947