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The Biggs Family History
Davidson Family History John Ream (b.1959) Biggs Lineage
   [ Jack Ream (b.1932)
     [ Anita Biggs (1906-1955)
       [ John Quincy Biggs (1878-1968)
         [ John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924)
           [ Elijah Biggs Jr. (1800-1845)
             [ Elijah Biggs Sr. (1762-1833) (my GreatGreatGreatGreatGrandFather!)

John Ream (b.1959) Davidson Lineage
   [ Jack Ream (b.1932)
     [ Anita Biggs (1906-1955)
       [ Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
         [ Thomas Davidson (1845-1924)
           [ Levi Davidson (1799-1851) (my GreatGreatGreatGrandFather!)

Photo Index     Photo of Everybody!

7) Joseph Harold Ream (my grandfather)    Photo

7a) Wife: Mary "Anita" Biggs Photo b. Oct. 3, 1906 Buffalo, Missouri. d. Apr. 17, 1955 Tallahassee, Florida. m. July 27, 1929.
. . . . . . Anita & Joe were married by Rev. J. Q. Biggs (her Father) in Tonawanda, N. Y., near Buffalo, where J. Q. had a church at that time.
. . . . . . Music, Organist, played solo church Recitials. Organist and chorister of the Home Street Presbyterian Church NYC and is doing radio work.
. . . . . . Also a pretty good Pianist. Played in the silent movies in N.Y.
. . . . . . Anita went to Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas, Graduated 1925, only 18 years old.
. . . . . . Anita graduated from Fort Worth High School at age 15, in January 1922, as valedictorian, with a 99.37 GPA.
. . . . . . Siblings - Portia Thelma Biggs, b. 1904 Illinois, d. July 27, 1943, m. Walter Hahn, d. 1964, both buried Easton PA.
. . . . . . . . One child - Alice "Holly" "Cuz", b. August 8, 1932, grew up in Short Hills, NJ, Millburn High.
. . . . . . . . Portia and Anita were very close sisters, and hence Holly "Cuz" was close to her cousins from Anita.
. . . . . . . . Portia, NYC Columbia University, Journalism degree June 1927.
. . . . . . . . Anita & Portia in NYC, from Fall 1925. Anita & Joe double dated with Portia & Walter Hahn.
. . . . . . Siblings - John Melvin Biggs "Mel" 1920-2000. Photo. Married Margaret Crozier Thomson (b. Dec 14, 1925). Buried near Sandwich, New Hampshire.
. . . . . . . . . Professor of Civil Engineering at M.I.T., retired in 1988, moved from Mass. to N.H.
. . . . . . . . . Three Children, these are Jack Ream's (my father) first cousins, Photo
. . . . . . . . . . . . John Duncan Biggs, b. 1947, m. Linda Susan Samuelson b. 08/01/1947. Bend, Oregon. Photo.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . s. John "Jake" Ernest Biggs, b. 02/20/80, m. Shelly Hannaker. Ernest is Linda's father's name, son Rowan John Biggs b.~03/01/2008. Naples, NY
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . d. Janet Davidson Biggs, b. 05/20/74, m. Shawn Wallach, Davidson name is obvious. Columbus, Ohio.
. . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Thomson Biggs, b. 1949, m. Helen Crosby, son Paul John Biggs b. 1979 - Paul was Helen's fathers' name.
. . . . . . . . . . . . Judith Biggs (1951-1984), passed away automobile accident in California.
. . . . . . . . . Margaret's father was Duncan Turner Thomson, grandparents Rev. Robert Thomson and Agnes Turner

. . . . . . Parents - John Quincy Biggs, (1878-1968) and Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
. . . . . . . . Rev. J. Quincy Biggs, a Disciples of Christ minister (English) and "Zona" (Scottish) (both from Rocky Comfort, Mo.)
. . . . . . . . Click here to see their photograph, and Grave Stone.    Zona, and all the other Davidsons, were Baptists.
. . . . . . . . Sibling - Mary Biggs (1862-1939) Photo, m. Anvil James Arnett (1857-1928), 11 children (2 additional died near birth)
. . . . . . . . . . #2, Edward Craven "Crave", son: Orvel, son: Edward, children: Kimberly Arnett-Ordonia.
. . . . . . . . . . #10, youngest son was Loren Lloyd Arnett (b.1900), son: Loren Edward Arnett, children: Meri Arnett-Kremian & Kim.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .    Click here for Meri Arnett-Kremian's Family Tree.
. . . . . . . . Sibling - Joseph Dudley Biggs (1869-1952) Photo Grave, m. Sarah Cumi Love (1872-1962)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .    Son: Edgar Biggs -> Children: Ernest & Violet Photo
. . . . . . . . Sibling - Minnie Biggs (1872-)
. . . . . . . . Sibling - James D. Biggs (1874-1955), m. Edna Love (1879- )
. . . . . . . . Sibling - Myrtle (Murtie) Biggs Utter (1877- )
. . . . . . . . Sibling - William A. Biggs (1880-1972), m. Clara Davidson (sister of Zona) Photo
. . . . . . . . . Two Biggs brothers married two Davidson sisters.
. . . . . . . . . Two Biggs brothers married two Love sisters.
. . . . . . . . Zona Siblings - See List below by her parents (Thomas Davidson and Mary Ann Harrell).

. . . . . . Grandparents - John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924) and Dicy Caroline Reed (1841-1912) (buried in Rocky Comfort, Missouri)
. . . . . . . . John James Madison Biggs was born in Kentucky, March 5, 1837, and died July 10, 1924.
. . . . . . . . Click here to see their photograph, and Grave Stone. They had about 9 children. J.Q. was 2nd youngest.
. . . . . . . . John James Madison Biggs Parents - Elijah Biggs Jr. (1800-1845), and Mary "Polly" Brown (1807-1880) m. 1828 Calloway KY, Both born in N.C.
. . . . . . . . . . Elijah Biggs Jr. Parents - Elijah Biggs Sr. (1762-1833) b. Tyrrell County, North Carolina, m. Lydia (1770-1845).
. . . . . . . . . . . . Elijah Biggs Sr. & Lydia reportedly buried in Pittsburg, IL (southern IL, near Akin, IL). Maybe the Old Wade Burying Ground.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lydia Biggs is buried east of Johnson City,Illinois in Corinth at the Zion cemetary, 20ft behind the old bell. Elijah Sr. too ?
. . . . . . . . . . . . Elijah Biggs Sr. while living in Calloway Co, KY c 1830, he was defending the honor of a daughter who was
. . . . . . . . . . . . . wronged by a young gentleman. Elijah shot and killed the young man. He fled to Illinois,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . living under the name John RICHARDSON. He was buried with the headstone John Richardson
. . . . . . . . . . . . . until he was finally found out through bible and school records left by one of his friends
. . . . . . . . . . . . . and his headstone was replaced with his real name. (www.netxn.com/~kolob/pafn12.htm#3339)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Was John Webb the guy killed by Elijah Biggs Sr. in about 1810?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . See Verse on the back of Marriage Bond of Temperance Biggs Webb and Samual Tucker, referring to the 'murder incident'.
. . . . . . . . . . Elijah Biggs Jr. Siblings - Sarah "Sally" Biggs Moutray, Temperance , m1. John Webb 1809, m2. Samual Tucker 1813 (only mention for this Temperance).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . other Siblings: William, David , Joseph (source Lisa Hall May 2003)
. . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah "Sally" had a daughter - Temperance Moutray **
. . . . . . . . . . Siblings of John James Madison Biggs, ie. children of Elijah Biggs Jr., (this list is unconfirmed, source Lisa Hall May 2003)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. David , stayed in Tennessee
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. William , stayed in Tennessee
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Elephar Biggs (1832-1914) m. James Richey
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Columbus C. Biggs (1835- July 1921) m. Mary Jackson 1856, Lonetta Barrett 1870, Sarah J. Hutchcraft 1913
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CC's children: Araminta, Aravada, James J., Joseph B., Daisy, Elzada, and William, all probably with Mary Jackson.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924) m.Dicy Caroline Reed
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Joseph B. Biggs (1839-1913) m.Matilda Sheppard (1840-1918)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. James Marion Anderson Biggs (1841-1910) m.Sarah Hayes,Sarah Joyner,Louisa McCasland
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8. Mary Elisa Biggs (1843-?) m.Phillip Pierce
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9. Elsada Biggs (1846-?)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10. Wiley Biggs (1850-?)
. . . . . . . . Dicy Reed was born in central Illinois May 15, 1841, and died May 20, 1912.
. . . . . . . . . Dicy Reed's Parents - Abner Reed, b. 1817 Illinois, and Temperance Moutray **, b. 1823 Kentucky.
. . . . . . . . . . Temperance Moutray's Parents - Theophilus Moutray & Sarah "Sally" Biggs. Marriage Bond
. . . . . . . . . . The Moutray family was in Virginia at least by the 1730s, and perhaps the 1630s.
. . . . . . . . ** This is the same Temperance Moutray :
. . . . . . . . . . . Thus, our John Biggs and his wife Dicy's mother Temperance Moutray Reed were first cousins.
. . . . . . . . . . . So, in other words, John Biggs and his wife Dicy Caroline Reed were first cousins once removed.
. . . . . . . . . . . They were essentially from the same generation, however, John was born in 1837 and Dicy was born in 1841.
. . . . . (end Biggs)

. . . . . . Grandparents - Thomas Davidson (3 Mar 1846 - 29 Jan 1939) and Mary Ann Harrell (also buried in Babtist Cem, Rocky Comfort, Missouri)
. . . . . . . . Thomas's 1st wife: Nancy Margaret Duncan, m. 1866, Children: Andrew W. (1868-1946), Mary Elizabeth (1869-1926)
. . . . . . . . Thomas's 2nd wife: Mary Ann Harrell, m. ~1875, b. 15 May 1855, d. 23 Mar 1925
. . . . . . . . . Children: Jessie C. (1876-1960), Minnie (1878-1898), Stella A. (1879-1928), Lillie (1881-1896), Bertha (1883-),
. . . . . . . . . Nancy Arizona 'Zona' (1885-1987), Clara A. (1887-1988), Orin L. 1891-1980), Grace A. 1894-1979), James Maurice (1897-1939)
. . . . . . . . . . . Three Davidsons married three Montgomerys. Orin m. Nellie Montgomery, Maurice m. Anna, Walter Montgomery m. Gracie.
. . . . . . . . Reference Document for Thomas Davidson: Davidson-Duncan.pdf

Here's the newspaper obit on Thomas Davidson - Springfield, MO: "Thomas Davidson, 93, died at 10:40 o'clock Friday night [27 Jan 1939] at his home, 903 West Florida street. Mr. Davidson was a retired farmer. He came to Springfield a year ago from Rocky Comfort, Mo., where he had spent most of his life. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs. H. A Brown of Greenfield, Mo., Mrs. J. Q. Biggs of Johnstown, Penn., Mrs. W. A. Biggs of Baker, Ore., Mrs Walter Montgomery of Granby, Mo., and four sons, A. W., of Wheaton, Mo.; J. C. of Seneca, Mo.; O. L. of Springfield, and J. M, of Rogers, Ark. The body will lie in state at the Alma Lohmeyer funeral home until Sunday, when it will be taken to Rocky Comfort for burial."

. . . . . . . . Mary Ann Harrell's Parents - James Fowler Harrell and Mary Ann "Polly" Chitwood (1818-1882).
. . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann "Polly" Chitwood was one of 3 Chitwood girls to marry 3 Harrell boys. Nicy Chitwood m. John Lee Harrell
. . . . . . . . . . Polly's Parents - Joel Chitwood (~1789-1869) and Susannah Corn.
. . . . . . . . . . . . Chitwood Cemetery: Joel Chitwood GraveStone, James F. and Mary Ann [Polly Chitwood] Harrell GraveStone, ARE definitely buried there.
. . . . . . . . . . . . Cemetery is near the village of Wheaton, in Barry County, southwestern Missouri.
. . . . . . . . . . . . Rocky Comfort is in McDonald County, but only a mile or two away.

. . . . . . . . Thomas Davidson's Parents - Levi Davidson (24 Sep 1799 - 9 Feb 1851) and Sarah Lamberson.
. . . . . . . . . . Levi's Grave Stone Hwy 412 west of Linden, Perry County, TN, just west of a Mormon Church, private land owned by Sonny Maza.
. . . . . . . . . . Sarah moved to Rocky Comfort, Missouri, 1852-1853, after Levi died, with several Lamberson families.
. . . . . . . . . . "Barry County" in southwest Missouri, is where the Davidsons and Lambersons settled after the move from TN.
. . . . . . . . . . Rocky Comfort, in MacDonald County, is only a mile or so from the Barry County line, so Rocky was "their town" even though in a different county.
. . . . . . . . . . Sarah's father, Laurence Lamberson, was a "drover" who organized the 400-mile "wagon train" trip from Tennessee to the Rocky Comfort area.
. . . . . . . . . . It's believed that a couple of generations earlier, the Lamberson family was from New Jersey, Sussex County.
. . . . . . . . . . Levi Davidson (24 Sep 1799 - 9 Feb 1851):
. . . . . . . . . . . Levi was a farmer in Perry County, Tennessee, just a few miles east of the Tennessee River. Davidson family was from Tennessee.
. . . . . . . . . . . 1st Wife: Unknown.    Children: Alvoree and Josiah.    Source (Ruth Kent A+)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Alvoree Davidson b. Abt. 1821, m. Nancy Duncan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Josiah "Joe" Davidson b. 1824, m. Elizabeth Caroline Depriest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Davidson b. 18 Jul 1827, d. 1854, m. George A. Dabbs (Levi w/ 1st wife per Ruth Kent 11/2006)
. . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Wife: Unknown.    Children: Rachel, Abraham, and Cyrus.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Abraham Davidson b. 15 Oct 1835, m. Sarah
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Cyrus Davidson b. 25 Aug 1837, m. Tabitha Howell
. . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Wife: Sarah Lamberson. (her father: Lawrence Lamberson)
. . . . . . . . . . . . Eight Children: Letsy, Mary (Polly), John (later a Confederate soldier), Levi, Jr., Thomas, Nancy, Lucy,and Ann.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Letsy Davidson b. Oct 1839, m. Jesse Herrell
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary "Polly" Davidson b. Abt. 1841, m. John Samuel Brown
. . . . . . . . . . . . . John Davidson b. 22 Feb 1843, m. Sarah Frances Brown
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Levi Davidson b. Abt. 1845, m. (1) Sarah Elizabeth (2) Surreny Ellen Hill
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Davidson b. 03 Mar 1846, m. (1) Mary Ann Herrell (2) Nancy M. Duncan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Davidson b. 1847, m. Unknown
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Davidson b. Mar 1850, m. William J. McClure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Davidson b. 05 Nov 1851, m. Nathan W. Patton

      Need More?    Microsoft Word Documents from Meri:    BiggsJohnDescendants.doc and Biggs.doc

Compiled ... Thanks to Dave Ream, John Biggs, Andrew Biggs, Meri "Biggs" Arnett-Kremian (11/2001) and photos (5/2003),
                         Kimberly Arnett-Ordonia (08/2002).

Meri "Biggs" Arnett-Kremian (thank you for your continuing contributions to this page!) Click here for Meri Family Tree.
   [ Loren Edward Arnett m. Betty June Miller
     [ Loren Lloyd Arnett (1900-?) m. Marie Mafie Rosencrans
       [ Mary Biggs (1862-1939), m. Anvil James Arnett (1857-1928)
         [ John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924)
           [ Elijah Biggs Jr. (1800-1845)
             [ Elijah Biggs Sr. (1762-1833)

John Ream (b.1959) Biggs Lineage
   [ Jack Ream (b.1932)
     [ Anita Biggs (1906-1955)
       [ John Quincy Biggs (1878-1968)
         [ John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924)
           [ Elijah Biggs Jr. (1800-1845)
             [ Elijah Biggs Sr. (1762-1833) (my GreatGreatGreatGreatGrandFather!)

John Ream (b.1959) Davidson Lineage
   [ Jack Ream (b.1932)
     [ Anita Biggs (1906-1955)
       [ Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
         [ Thomas Davidson (1845-1924)
           [ Levi Davidson (1799-1851) (my GreatGreatGreatGrandFather!)

The Biggs Family History Photos

These photos are organized by oldest generation to newest.
If a group photo, then oldest person's generation.
Here is a quick list of generations

John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924) and Dicy Reed (1841-1912)
They are my Great Great Grandparents.

John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924)

John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924) and Dicy Reed (1841-1912)
They are my Great Great Grandparents.
Grave Stone in Rocky Comfort, MO.

John Quincy Biggs, (1878-1968) and Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
Anita Ream 1925 (my Grandmother, age 19), and with her family, 1910, Anita (age 4), Portia, Zona, JQ Biggs

John Quincy Biggs, (1878-1968) and Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
JQ's photo dated 1920, Zona's photo dated 1925
Anita Ream

John Quincy Biggs, (1878-1968) and Nancy Arizona "Zona" Davidson (1885-1987)
They are my Great Grandparents. Grave Stone in Rocky Comfort, MO.
Zona lived to 102 years old. Zona's two sisters married J.Q. Biggs brothers.

Mary Biggs (1862-1939) and Anvil James Arnett
Mary is John Quincy's sister.

Joseph Dudley Biggs (1869-1952) and Sarah Cumi Love Biggs (1872-1962)
Joseph is John Quincy's oldest brother.

Joseph Dudley Biggs and Sarah Cumi Love Biggs

Noble Dudley Biggs and Neva M. Brown m.1917
Noble is son of Joseph Dudley Biggs above.

John Melvin Biggs "Mel" (1920-2000)
He was Anita's Brother, this photo taken in 1998.

John Melvin Biggs "Mel" (1920-2000)
Photo says Late 1920s (age 8 or 9)

Cemetery in Rocky Comfort.
Prosperity Baptist Church, adjacent to the cemetery.

Another view of Cemetery.

Levi Davidson (1799-1851)
Photo #1 from A.Massey, enhanced with shaving cream. Photo #2 from R.Kent.

Biggs and Davidson, Everybody!
Starting with John James Madison Biggs (1837-1924) , Ending with Anita Biggs (1906-1955)
Photo says Rocky Comfort, Missouri, about 1908 (Same photo untouched)

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