Ansel Briggs
Encyclopedia
Ansel Briggs was the first Governor of Iowa, from 1846 to 1850. Briggs was a business entrepreneur, sheriff
and a member of the Iowa Territorial House of Representatives before being Governor. While Governor of Iowa he oversaw the formation of the government bodies of Iowa, the state's school system, and diplomatically avoided an armed border dispute with the state of Missouri. Content with his accomplishments as Governor, he declined running for a second term and returned to his business interests. Later in life Briggs was involved in parts farther west in the country and was one of the founders of the new town of Florence, Nebraska.
Ansel Briggs was born on February 3. 1806 to father Benjamin and mother Electa in the town of Shoreham, Vermont. Briggs's education started in the common school
s of Vermont
and continued at the Norwich Academy
in Connecticut
.
While still a young man Briggs moved with his parents to Cambridge, Ohio
. Briggs lived there for the next six years, starting a stagecoach business and married twice. His first marriage to Frances Carpenter was brief and then he married Nancy M. Dunlap who eventually had eight children, six that died in infancy. It was here that Briggs first ran, as a Whig party
candidate, unsuccessfully for the office of County Audit
or for the Guernsey County, Ohio
.
After hearing of all the opportunities, Briggs and wife Nancy moved in 1839 to what was called Andrew Jackson County in the Territory of Iowa
which was shortened to Jackson County
soon after. Once settled he resumed his stagecoach business, starting by driving the coaches himself much of the time. The opportunities to expand in the new territory were immense. He soon secured contracts with the Post office Department
transporting mail between Dubuque
and the cities of Davenport
and Iowa City
, this led to more routes, expanding his business. Briggs moved to Andrew, Iowa
in 1843 purchasing many of the empty lots in the town. He was considered a good citizen making many town improvements, building roads and commercial buildings.
His stone house, on N Johnson St. in Andrew, is still inhabited to this day. His family used to have a home and mill near Brush Creek north of Andrew at a place known as Bluff Mills, which is a popular public fishing area now, even though the house and mill are now gone.
politically. Because his business caused him to travel to many parts of the Iowa Territory, Briggs became well known. This plus his readiness to be involved in public affairs made it easy for him to be chosen as a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Jackson County in 1842. Briggs continued to be a representative until 1846. Briggs also served as Jackson County deputy treasurer in 1843 and sheriff of Jackson County starting in 1844 for a two-year term.
During the formation of a state government for Iowa, Briggs became a candidate against two well known opponents Jesse Williams and William Thompson. Briggs's campaign was centered on the promise of no outside businesses having influence in his administration. He had once made a toast at a political banquet, "No banks but earth and they well tilled. — Ansel Briggs " that became his campaign slogan. The Democratic convention was held in Iowa City on September 24, 1846. The vote for Democratic candidate for governor resulted in Briggs getting sixty-two votes, Jesse Williams receiving thirty-two, and William Thompson
, thirty-one. Williams and Thoppson withdrew and Briggs was chosen by acclamation. The election for Iowa's first governor was held on October 28, 1846, with Briggs winning with 7,626 votes over his opponent Thomas McKnight a Whig candidate who received 7,379 votes. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the Union when President James K. Polk
signed Iowa's admission bill into law.
True to his campaign promise of no outsider influence Governor Briggs sold his contract with the Postoffice Department and his administration was praised as "one void of any special interest . . .exhibited an independence of principle, characteristic of his nature". During his term as Governor, the formation of the state government was initiated and a state school system was organized. The Missouri-Iowa boundary dispute which caused a great deal of excited controversy and even almost resorted to arms was resolved in 1848 by his skillful diplomacy. When his term ended in 1850, Briggs retired from public service preferring to returned to business.
In 1860 he made a trip to Colorado
during the mining excitement of the time. In 1863 Briggs with his son John and a large group went to the state of Montana
, where he remained until 1865 when he returned to Iowa. In 1870 he moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa
and later was one of the founders of the town of Florence, Nebraska
. In 1881 after a very brief illness Briggs died at his son John's residence in Omaha, Nebraska
. His death was greatly mourned all over Iowa. Governor Gear
issued a proclamation reciting his services to the State, and ordering half-hour guns to be fired and the national flag on the State capitol to be put at half-mast during the day of the funeral.
Although he was originally buried in Omaha, Nebraska he was re-interred in 1909 in the Andrew Cemetery, Andrew, Iowa.
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
and a member of the Iowa Territorial House of Representatives before being Governor. While Governor of Iowa he oversaw the formation of the government bodies of Iowa, the state's school system, and diplomatically avoided an armed border dispute with the state of Missouri. Content with his accomplishments as Governor, he declined running for a second term and returned to his business interests. Later in life Briggs was involved in parts farther west in the country and was one of the founders of the new town of Florence, Nebraska.
Life before politics
- Life before Iowa
Ansel Briggs was born on February 3. 1806 to father Benjamin and mother Electa in the town of Shoreham, Vermont. Briggs's education started in the common school
Common school
A common school was a public school in the United States or Canada in the nineteenth century. The term 'common school' was coined by Horace Mann, and refers to the fact that they were meant to serve individuals of all social classes and religions....
s of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
and continued at the Norwich Academy
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
While still a young man Briggs moved with his parents to Cambridge, Ohio
Cambridge, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,520 people, 4,924 households, and 2,954 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,055.1 people per square mile . There were 5,585 housing units of an average density of 996.3 per square mile...
. Briggs lived there for the next six years, starting a stagecoach business and married twice. His first marriage to Frances Carpenter was brief and then he married Nancy M. Dunlap who eventually had eight children, six that died in infancy. It was here that Briggs first ran, as a Whig party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
candidate, unsuccessfully for the office of County Audit
Audit
The general definition of an audit is an evaluation of a person, organization, system, process, enterprise, project or product. The term most commonly refers to audits in accounting, but similar concepts also exist in project management, quality management, and energy conservation.- Accounting...
or for the Guernsey County, Ohio
Guernsey County, Ohio
Guernsey County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of 2010, the population was 40,087. Its county seat is Cambridge and is named for the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, from which many of the county's early settlers came....
.
- Life in Iowa
After hearing of all the opportunities, Briggs and wife Nancy moved in 1839 to what was called Andrew Jackson County in the Territory of Iowa
Iowa Territory
The Territory of Iowa was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1838, until December 28, 1846, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Iowa.-History:...
which was shortened to Jackson County
Jackson County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 19,848 in the county, with a population density of . There were 9,415 housing units, of which 8,289 were occupied.-2000 census:...
soon after. Once settled he resumed his stagecoach business, starting by driving the coaches himself much of the time. The opportunities to expand in the new territory were immense. He soon secured contracts with the Post office Department
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
transporting mail between Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
and the cities of Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
and Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, this led to more routes, expanding his business. Briggs moved to Andrew, Iowa
Andrew, Iowa
Andrew is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 460 at the 2000 census.-History:Andrew, located in Jackson County, was named for Andrew Jackson....
in 1843 purchasing many of the empty lots in the town. He was considered a good citizen making many town improvements, building roads and commercial buildings.
His stone house, on N Johnson St. in Andrew, is still inhabited to this day. His family used to have a home and mill near Brush Creek north of Andrew at a place known as Bluff Mills, which is a popular public fishing area now, even though the house and mill are now gone.
Iowa political life
When Briggs came to Iowa he had decided to be recognized as a DemocratIowa Democratic Party
The Iowa Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of Iowa.-Current elected officials:Iowa Democrats are in control of the Iowa Senate, one of the state's United States Senate seats, and three out of the state's five United States House of Representatives seats. ...
politically. Because his business caused him to travel to many parts of the Iowa Territory, Briggs became well known. This plus his readiness to be involved in public affairs made it easy for him to be chosen as a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Jackson County in 1842. Briggs continued to be a representative until 1846. Briggs also served as Jackson County deputy treasurer in 1843 and sheriff of Jackson County starting in 1844 for a two-year term.
- The run for Governor
During the formation of a state government for Iowa, Briggs became a candidate against two well known opponents Jesse Williams and William Thompson. Briggs's campaign was centered on the promise of no outside businesses having influence in his administration. He had once made a toast at a political banquet, "No banks but earth and they well tilled. — Ansel Briggs " that became his campaign slogan. The Democratic convention was held in Iowa City on September 24, 1846. The vote for Democratic candidate for governor resulted in Briggs getting sixty-two votes, Jesse Williams receiving thirty-two, and William Thompson
William Thompson (Iowa)
William Thompson , a lawyer, clerk, newspaperman, longtime Army officer, and Democrat, was the first person elected to Congress from Iowa's 1st congressional district. His race for re-election in 1848 was the only Iowa U.S. House election to be revoted. After Thompson's opponent, Whig candidate...
, thirty-one. Williams and Thoppson withdrew and Briggs was chosen by acclamation. The election for Iowa's first governor was held on October 28, 1846, with Briggs winning with 7,626 votes over his opponent Thomas McKnight a Whig candidate who received 7,379 votes. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the Union when President James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
signed Iowa's admission bill into law.
- Life as Governor
True to his campaign promise of no outsider influence Governor Briggs sold his contract with the Postoffice Department and his administration was praised as "one void of any special interest . . .exhibited an independence of principle, characteristic of his nature". During his term as Governor, the formation of the state government was initiated and a state school system was organized. The Missouri-Iowa boundary dispute which caused a great deal of excited controversy and even almost resorted to arms was resolved in 1848 by his skillful diplomacy. When his term ended in 1850, Briggs retired from public service preferring to returned to business.
Life after Governorship
After his term as Governor ended Briggs returned to his residence and businesses in Jackson County.In 1860 he made a trip to Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
during the mining excitement of the time. In 1863 Briggs with his son John and a large group went to the state of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, where he remained until 1865 when he returned to Iowa. In 1870 he moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
and later was one of the founders of the town of Florence, Nebraska
Florence, Nebraska
Florence is a neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska on the city's north end and originally one of the oldest cities in Nebraska. It was incorporated by the Nebraska Territorial Legislature on March 10, 1857. The site of Winter Quarters for Mormon migrants traveling west, it has the oldest cemetery for...
. In 1881 after a very brief illness Briggs died at his son John's residence in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. His death was greatly mourned all over Iowa. Governor Gear
John H. Gear
John Henry Gear was the 11th Governor of Iowa, United States Representative, and Senator.-Biography:Born in Ithaca, New York, he attended the common schools and moved to Galena, Illinois in 1836, to Fort Snelling, Iowa, in 1838, and to Burlington in 1843, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits...
issued a proclamation reciting his services to the State, and ordering half-hour guns to be fired and the national flag on the State capitol to be put at half-mast during the day of the funeral.
Although he was originally buried in Omaha, Nebraska he was re-interred in 1909 in the Andrew Cemetery, Andrew, Iowa.
External links
- Portrait and Biographical Album Washington County, Iowa Acme Publishing Company, Chicago, December 1887, Ansel Briggs pp 111–112