Thomas Townley Rigg was born on November 13, 1847 in Wabash County, Illinois. His parents were Townly Rigg and Phebe Maria Cory Rigg. Thomas enlisted in the Forty Eighth Infantry of the Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, Company G on February 1, 1864. He was discharged on August 15, 1865. During his service he participated in Sherman's March to the Sea. He was 16 years and 3 months of age when he enlisted, although he lied about his age and his military records state that he was 18 years and 1 month old. Thomas was small in stature only being 5 feet 6 inches tall with dark hair and grey eyes. He married Miranda Gambrel on June 17, 1869. Thomas and Miranda had 10 known children. Their names were Melvin Gillison Rigg, Perry David Rigg, William Henry Rigg, Alva Rigg, Frank Clifton Rigg, Lewis Rigg, Lauren Dale Rigg, Dorothy Rigg, John Dorman Rigg, and a daughter, Nancy, who died in infancy. They moved to Butler County Kansas when Perry was a toddler and continued to live there until their deaths. Thomas and Miranda lost four of their sons in a Typhoid Epedemic in 1895. Those that died were Melvin G., W. Henry, Alva, and Lewis. All four died within a few weeks of each other in August and September of 1895. Miranda was said to be a strong and kind woman, a good wife, mother and grandmother and was very adept at sewing, crocheting and knitting. Thomas died on January 21, 1911 in Leon, Kansas and he is buried at the Quito Cemetery. His wife, Miranda, born on July 02, 1851 in Princeton, Indiana, died on June 28, 1924 in Leon, Kansas and is also buried at the Quito Cemetery along side of Thomas and three of their four sons and Thomas' parents, Townly and Phebe Rigg.