When James Scott Briggs was born on 10 May 1859, in Missouri, United States, his father, Scott Terrence Briggs, was 22 and his mother, Bridget Ellen Fennessey, was 29. He married Martha Ann Schell on 16 June 1884, in Maries, Missouri, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 7 daughters. He lived in Boone Township, Maries, Missouri, United States in 1880 and Miller Township, Maries, Missouri, United States for about 10 years. He died on 23 May 1949, in Rolla, Phelps, Missouri, United States, at the age of 90, and was buried in Brinktown, Maries, Missouri, United States.