, 1881-06-17
THE LATE GOVERNOR BRIGGS.

DhlVVo.
Recently we published and commented
upon telegram announcing the death of
Hon. Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor,
and the eldest brother OF our t0wnsman.
Judge Albert Briggs. To-day we insert
extracts FROM few Iowa and Nebraska
papers, to indicate the estimation in which
Gov. Briggs was held where he was best
known:
Omaha lNeb.l 'Herald."l
."Ansel Briggs was native of New
York and came to the west in 1888, max
ing his home in Davenport, where he was
prominent citizen for many years. He
was an. active and stirring man in those
days 1t was he who established the early
stage lines from that place to Dubuque,
and from Dubuque to Iowa City. He en-
jOyed the honorable distinction OF having
been the first governor of our neighboring
state after its admission to the Union, in
which position he served the new state
ably and well from 1916 to 1850. Among
his contemporaries in pioneer life were
the Dodges, George w. Jones, and other
founders of the now imperial common
wealth. Charles Mason, of Burlington,
and John F. Kinney, of our own state, re-
ceived their commissions at his hands as
the judges of Iowa. The late DIR. Enos
Lowe, of this city, was president OF the
state senate OF Iowa when he was its gov
ernor. Gov. Briggs lived in Andrew,
Jackson county, long time, and came
out TO Nebraska and Omaha i'm 1854. He
was member OF the Florence Land COM
pany, and staked and lost his property
fortunes on faith that was in him that
Florence would be the Omaha of the new
state. He was interested in Bellevue, the
other foi mitlable rival of this place in
those years, and also in Columbus and
other towns. In 1850 Gov. Briggs accom-
panied his son John to Colorado on min
ing expedition, and also TO Montana in
1868. whence he returned to resume his
residence in Andrew, where he remained
until about six years ago when he came
back to Omaha where he lived until the
sad summons came which called him to
eternal rest and peace.
Mr.. Briggs was married early in hie
and became the father of eight children.
or this family Mr.. John S. Briggs is the
only survivor.
Dubuque Qa.l "Herald.n
The old pioneers of Iowa are rapidly
papidly passing under the sod. On the
5th Inst. another prominent citizen, at a
ripe old age, passed away. He was no
less parsonage than the first governor of
Iowa, Ansel Briggs, and was known by
many Dubuquers who remember the early
days OF the state, among whom is ex-
Governor Hampstead, who succeeded him
as governor of the state. Gov. Hemp
stead knew him well, and spoke to a
Herald" reporter. yesterday, in eulogis-
tic terms of the first governor. He lived
in Andrew, Jackson county, for many
years, and was sheriff of that county at
one time. Mr.. Hampstead remembered
the democratic convention which nomina-
ted Mr.. Briggs as candidate for govern
or, 1t was held at Iowa City, on Thurs
day, September "a, lS46, and assembled
to nominate two congressman and state
| officers. The convention WAS called to or
der by +. ID. Mills, of Des moines, who
was afterwards killed in Mexico while
| fighting for his country. VIM. Thomp-
| SON, OF Henry county, was the chairman.
He afterwards was sent to congress. j.
| L. Fales of Dubuque was secretary.
There were in the convention as delegates,
A. McCleary. of Louisa county, after
waris secretary of state; j. z. Goo6now
and j. |. Dyer, of Jackson county, after
wards judge of the United States district
court, succeeded by Judge Love. P. B.
Bradley. uf jackson, state senator, secre-
tary OF the senate, ETC., was also a dele
gate in the convention that nominated
Ansel Briggs for governor. Among 9TH
ers were ). Il. Hartsock. now of Iowa
City; K. w, Eastman, of Desmoines coun.
ty, afterwards elected lieutenanI-govern
on the republican ticket, Shep. Leffier,
one of the first congressman from the
state; j. Ill. Bonney, afterwards secretary
of state, and E. Cutter, jr., also elected
secretary of state in later years; L. S.
Parvin, OF Muscatine, now secretary o.
the Masonic Grand Lodge OF the state
A. IL. Palmer, formerly editor of the
''Iowa Capital Reporter" From Du
buque county there were F. Gehon. Uni
ted States marshal of the territory; G. H
Booth, new deeply interested in railroads
Geo. Greene. of Cedar Rapids, judge o.
the supreme count, who died year ago
C. Corkery, who died recently in Califor
mia; w. G.. Stewart, now president of tn,
Dubuque county bank; ). w. Witcher
and 8. Hampstead, afterwards governor
and of Scott county there was Laure
Summers, afterwards United States Mar
shall
The vote for governor in the conven
ton stood: Briggs, 81; jesse Williams
| 81; William Thompson, 81. The TIVE
latter withdrew, and AlseI Briggs wiz
nominated by acclamation. 5. q. Hast
ings and Shep. Settler were nominated to
congress.
The election was held on the aeth da,
OF October. lS4s. The vote was: Briggs
democrat. 1926; Thomas Knight, whig
1879. Majority for Briggs, 4, 547.
Mr.. Briggs, according to Governo
Hempstead's account, was very pleasan
gent eman, and one who did not TAX
part in any excitement of that day, ex
cept it may be during the fight for sena
tors, when the state remained two year
without representative in the Unite
States senate. Under Governor Brige