USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Annals of Jackson county, Iowa, Vol 1-6 > Part 61
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plays Bonne lute by M. L. N. G.
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President Mitchell.
Response- Gov, Carroll.
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A MAJESTIC MONUMENT DEDICATED TO
ANSEL BRIGGS.
A State Occasion Attended by Thousands at Andrew, Sept 22, 1909-Eminent Iowans Present to Participate.
The Program
Music - Andrew Band. Call to Order by President G. L. Mitchell of Jackson Co. Historical Society. Invocation - Rev. Shrader. Song - lowa, Beautiful lowa. Memorial Address -W. C. Gregory.
Unveiling of Monument - Mrs. Nannie Briggs-Rob- ertson, grand-daughter of Gov. Briggs, while band plays "Star Spangled Banner," and military sa- lute by Co. M, I. N. G.
Presentation of Monument -- President Mitchell.
Response-Gov. Carroll. Song -"America."
Address Ex-Gov. bee.
Larra-
Address Sen. Frudden. Address-Sen. DeArmand. Address-Judge Graham. Short Talk - Sen. Wilson.
Short Talks - Representa- tives Boettger and Bal- luff.
The Monument
is 22 ft. high above a con- crete base, on an eminence which makes it visible for miles around.
First granite base is per- fectly plain; second base has name of "Briggs" in 5x1 inch letters on east, and on west side of third piece or die, which is three feet square and polished, is an outline map of lowa. Covering it completely on north is a bronze medallion portrait, life size, of Gov. Briggs. On the east is the following inscription in one and a half inch letters:
ANSEL BRIGGS, 1806-1881. Governor, 1846-1850. Erected by the State of Iowa to hon- or the memory of its first governor, Act of the 33rd G. A., 1909.
Surmounting this a large monolith 2 tt., 6 inches at base, 12 ft. in length, and 20 inches square at top. Monument is built of Barr granite from Vermont, and weighs 30,000 pounds.
Andrew, Jackson County, Iowa was the mecca for pretty much all travelers in this section of the state Wednesday, Sept. 22. It was the day set apart by the Jackson County Historical Society for the dedication of
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the Ansel Briggs monument to the honor of Iowa's sturdy old commoner and first governor of this great commonwealth. Notwithstanding the low- ering weather, the roads leading to the classical old geographical center and one-time county-seat of this county, were thronged with vehicles of every kind. It must be understood that And:ew, the old-time home of the first governor, is eight miles from the nearest railroad at Maquoketa, and maintains a population as large as it ever had- 400 or 500. The old town is thrifty and with its numerous new and rebullt homes and places of business bears evidence for keeping up with the times
The citizers were alive to the importance of the occasion, flags were suspended across the streets and a cordial welcome extended to all visitors. A large speakers' pla' form had been erected in the beautiful hillside ceme- tery underneath large evergreens near the majestic monument. Seats were arranged in tiers before the speakers stard, but they were not sufficient and hundreds of the visitors were obliged to stand. Besides the presence on the platform of Gov. Carroll, ex-Governor Larrabee, Senators Frudden, of Dubuque, DeArmand of Scott, Wilson of Clinton, Parshall of Jackson, Representative Boettger and Balluff of Scott, Kendall of Clinton, Ellis of Jack. on, and Judge Graham of Dubuque, ex-members of the legislature, members of the Historical society the press gang and distant relatives of the first Governor, there were Mrs. John Briggs, of Omaha, a daughter- in law, with whom the Governor made his home in his last years, her daughter Mrs Nannie Briggs-Robertson and husband of Washita, Iowa, and their son. Mrs Robertson is the grand-daughter of Ansel Briggs and had the honor of unveiling the monument.
Among the prominent members of the Jackson County Historical Soci- ety present at the exercises were: W. C. Gregory, Harvey Reid, Geo. L. Mitchel, J. W. Ellis, W. B. Swigart, Dr. A. B. Bowen, B. A. Spencer, D. A. Fletcher, Jas. Fairbrother, and Dr Cnas. Collins, all of Maquoketa,'and Mrs. Elizabeth Harding of Clinton, grand-daughter of Mrs. Frances Car- penter. Briggs, third wife of Gov. Ansel Briggs.
A feature of the afternoon exercises, and which followed the memorial adire.s, was the presentation of a large and beautiful floral tribute from O naha, accompanied by the following card from Mayor Dahlman and read to the audience by Chairman Mitchell :
"To the Mayor of the City of Andrew, la. - In the name of the city of Omaha we herewith present th's wreath of laurel in memory of Ansel Briggs, hi st governor of Iowa, in recognition of the fact that Govercor Briggs spent the last six years of his life in O naba, and was an incorpora- tor of the Omaha & Florence Land company. He was highly respected by all of our citizens.
(Signed) James A. Dahlman, Mayor."
Mayor Samp on made response in behalf of the city of Andrew, express- ing the appreciation felt and in closing stated that Andrew had furnished the state its first governor ard if the time ever comes when Iowa needs more good timber for govercor Andrew stands ready to supply it
The program was carried out in the order and as above outlined.
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EX-GOVERNOR ANSEL BRICGS.
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Memorial Address of Hon. W. C. Gregory.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : -
We have assembled here today to do honor to the character, work and memory of a pioneer law-maker, a distinguished citizen and former resident of this town.
It was here where he spent many years of his active useful life. The coming together of so many who personally knew him, testifies to the love . and esteem in which he was held, by those nearest to him. and standing here in the city of the dead, where so many of his kindred, and friends are buried, we feel, if possible, that the spirits of the departed are hovering over us, with loving interest, and we read on the faces of this vast assem- blage the satisfaction, and nallo wed joy that the purpose of this occasion has created.
Ansel Briggs was born in the state of Vermont on the 3rd day of Feb- ruary. 1806. His boyhood was passed in his native state, where he attended the common schools and received a fair educaion, supplemented by a term in Norwich Academy. He went to Cambridge in the State of Ohio in the year 1830 where he engaged in the business of establishing and maintain- ing stage lines. Hle soon imbibed the spirit of office holding, so prevalent in that state, and accepted the nomination for the office of County Auditor on the whig ticket, but suffered defeat. Thereafter he cast his lot with the democratic party. Having entered into a contract with the United States to carry the mail on horseback from Davenport to Dubuque, also to Iowa City, he moved his family to lowa in the year 1836, aud located at the town of Andrew, Jackson county. He immediately identified himself with the community. He did more. His spirit of enterprise ; his great desire to benefit the community ; his comprehension of their wants and necessities, promoted him to take up, and carry on nearly all kinds of business and work, that was conducive to the wants of the community, and the upbuild- ing of the town, in which he soon became first, and foremost. He became half owner of the plat of the town of Andrew in which is located the ceme- tery, in which we are assembled, and which he donated to the town. He also became the owner of the farm adjacent on the east, and cultivated its soil. He established the first grocery and store in the town of Audrew, and established a newspaper, which he put under the editorial management of that able journalist, Joseph B. Dorr, who in the war of the Rebellonn became distinguished as Colonel of the 8th regiment, Iowa Cavalry. He also built and caused to be operated a saw mill near the town of Andrew, and estab lished a stage line from Muscatine to Dubuque.
Busy, had-wo king man though he was, he was not unmindful of his duty as a citizen, to take part in the political affairs of his town, county and state, and such was his prominence and recognized ability, that in the year 1842, he was elected to represent Jackson county in the territorial legisla- ture, and he thereby became prominent in the counsels of his party.
After the expiration of his term in the legislature he was elected sher- iff of Jackson county. lowa having been admitted into the union as a state the political parties held conventions to place in nomination candidates for
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the office of Governor and other state officers. The democratic par y held a convention at Iowa City on the 24th day of September, 1846 Jackson county had attained prominence by reason of the fact, that it had given the largest majority for the constitution in propor ion to the number of votes cast at that election and therefore was styled "the banner county of democracy, " and it was conceded, that this county should have the -privi- . lege of presenting the first name as cardidate for the nomination for gov- ernor Accordingly John J. Dyer then a r sident of Andrew, soon afterward appointed Federal judge for the district fo med by the State of Iowa and thereby became the firs Judge of that District, and who had been favor- ably mentioned as candidate for Governor, graciously presented the name
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of his fellow-townsman, Ansel Briggs. There were three candidates for the nomination, Jesse Williams Wm. Thompson and Ansel Briggs. Mr. Briggs received 62 votes to 31 ard 32 to the other candidates respectively on the first ballot, whereupon the other candidates withdrew and the nomi- nation of Briggs was made on the 2nd ballot by acclamation. He was elec- ted over the whig candidate, Thomas Mcknight, by a majority of 217. One of the principal issues between the whig and democratic party at this time was as to banks. The democratic party opposed all banks of issue. A short time before the convention was held which nominated Governor Briggs, he at a banquet, in response to a toast in detining his position on this question uttered the following: "No banks but Iowa soil and they
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well tilled." This seemed to sound the key note to the position of his party, and made him the popular man of the day, and did much towards seuring his nomination for governor He was inaugerated as governor on the 3rd day of December, 1846, and the work of building a state began.
Zone girdles territorial lines, bro d prairies, fertle soil, coal deposits, beautiful river, valuable timber, magnificient water powers, do not alone constitute a state. When Iowa was carved out of the Louisiana purchase, extending about 250 miles from north to south, 300 miles from east to west, skirted and bounded on the east and on the west by mighty rivers, it became "The Land of Gods farm, " "Beautiful Land" and to build a state for the people then living therein, and the millions who should come after, required men. Men who had been moulded for such work. Men of more brains than brawn; men of heart and soul, who believed in the fatherhood of God. and the brotherhood of man. Men who from learn- ing, practical work and observation had become broad, safe and strong, who wou'd generalize crystalize and cor dense into law the best from older states and from the lives, experience, necessities and observations of themselves so that in all that was good, Iowa would have the best, in the constructive work of legislation, and enact laws that would produce the greatest happi- ness to the greatest number, and in fact have a state goverment, -"of the people, by the people and for the people." Such was the type and char- acer of Governor Briggs and the members of the legislature under his ad- ministration. It is far from my desire, as I know it would be from the approbation of him whom we have met to honor, to adorn his memory with a chaplet plucked from the brow, or domain of others; but we claim that at the time ha was placed in the executive chair, that he represented in h s pe son, and measured up full in his qualifications to all of the require- meuts of his exalted position. From his young manhood, in direct and vig- orous contact with men and things-the great school of experience and ob- servation-he gathered the strength of that character by which he was kuown-that character which is the most distinctive and highly prized . possession of the best citizen, measuring up to self reliance, firmness, and practicability, and he contributed in no small amount of his time and store of practical knowledge to the perpara'ion of bills, and measures in the great construcive work of the legislature.
Acts of general interest were passed during the first, legislature to complete the change from territorial to state government ; to provide for the election of United State senato's; to estabish certain new counties and state roads: to provide for common :chicols; to elect a superintendent of public instruction and management of school funds, and to provide for the - instruction of the deaf, dumb and blind, aud many other important mea- sures we cannot take time to mention. We mention only such as shows the general trend of legislation. The distinguishing act of the second legislature under his administration was known as the homestead law. which affected every horsehold, and home in the state. The people were poor. There was but little money in circulation, the per capita being $1. 11. The money shark was abroad in the land; the rates of interest were from
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10 to 40 per cent. and the small beginnnings poverty stricken homes of the people were being consumed, in the whirlpool of judicial procedure, for small debts contracted for the necessities of life An act was pissed provid- ing for the exemtion of the homestead of the family from judicial sale. This law has been amended and improved from time to time, but the important and vital features remain the settled law of the state. The enactment of the school law and its approval by the executive deserre more than a pass- ing notice for it is under the operation of this initial law, and amendments that our magnificent system of schools have been built up and the percent- age of illiteracy of the state has been the smallest, and now is, of any state in the union save one. In addition to the enactments as to the common schools, an act was passed for the establishing and organizing of three Normal schrols, and providing for a state univer ity at lowa City. Governor Briggs secured the loration of one of the Normal schools at An- drew. The work of constructing a building under this act had progressed at this place to the completion of the walls when it was destroyed by a tornado, and it was never rebuilt.
Hail to the memory of the first governor and the members of the legis- Jature who did so much for the intellectual growth and development of the children of our state, and for the protection of home and family.
His term of office expired December 4th, 1850, on the inauguration of Stephen Hemstead, his successor. His administration had been able, hon- est and progressive and the state kept from debt. There was a balance of $1.39 in the treasury at the close of his administration.
Governor Briggs recognized he family and home as the foundation of so- clety and the highest civilization He was married three times. His fist wife living but a short time. To the second marriage eight children were born, all of whom died in infa cy except two, and one of the latter died at the age of twenty-one, leaving his son John S. the only surviving child. His second wife died in the year 1847, whie he was governor of the state. He subsequently married Mrs. F.ances Carpenter a widow lady of this town, who departed this life August 20, 1859 He practically retired from leadership and active political woik at the close of his term of office as Governor.
Yielding to the spirit of unrest and longing to enter new fields and take up new enterprises which generally lingers in the heart of the pioneer he went to Nebraska in the year 1856 and becime one of the founders of the town of Florence, a short distance from Omaha, and which for a time, was its vigorous rival. Hle also went to Colorado aud later to Montana, return- ing occasionally to this locality, which he still considerei nis home, until 1878 when he went to Omaha to make his home with his son and where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 5th day of May 1881. He was buried in the cemetery at that place.
Great in his publ.c life and character he was no less so in his private life and homely virtues. He was genial and affable to all; dignined and commanding, without austerity : loyal to his party, but not dogmatic; true
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to his family ; loyal to his friends; kind to his neighbors; a lover of chil- dren : a noble man
The Historical Society of Jackson county in recognition of his public life and service and of that sentiment which is written, as it were, by the finger of God on the human heart, for one to want to go back to the old home as life begins to wane, and the day-star of hope can no longer be seen, or if that should be impossibe, when they have crossed the bar, that their remains may be taken and buried beside their kindred, and long dela, ed jus- tice demanding that his remains should repose in the soil of his adopted state, whic i he had served so well, and in the cemetery he had so generous- ly provided for others in which his mother, wife and loved ones were bur- ied, took up the work of the removal of his remains, and of securing an appropriation from the state to erect a monument, befitting his life and services at his grave. The undertaking has been accomplished. And here the monument stands, a massive granite shaft from his native state, which will stand forever like a sentinel, through sunshine and in storm, saluting the coming of the King of Day as the seasons come and go and challenge the passer by to halt, and pay repect to the memory of a pioneer law-maker, the first Governor of the State of Iowa.
Address by President G. L. Mitchell of Historical Society Presenting Monu- ment to the People of the State of lowa.
This has been au inspiring moment, when to the cheers of the people and the stirring strains of the "'S ar Spangled Banner" there has been un- veiled this monument to the memory of the tist governor of the state of Iowa. It has been inspired by patriotism, love of country and her institu- tions, and a just pride in our own fair state, her beauty, her glory, her development, and her history.
Monuments are erected to mark historic spots, the scene of great events in the world's history, to perpetuate the memory of men great in literature, statecraft and war, and sometimes to a thought, an idea, or a sentiment, and today we dedicate this monument to the memory of Ausel Briggs, not alone because he was great, but because with him is identified and in him is personified the beginning in the making of a great commonwealth, our owu magnificent state of lowa.
Of him or his career I need not speak, for you have just listened to a very inter sting aud eloquent memorial address setting forth his services to the people and the new state he had helped to create. Eighteen-hun- dred-forty-six -nineteen-hundred-nine, sixty-three years, less than man's allotted span of three score and ten, and that a transformation scene, the most wonderful which the eye of man ever beheld. In 1846 a scattered pop- ulation of one tusdred thousand people, a vast expanse of unbroken prairie stretching on and on beyond the western horizon with here and there a spot where some hardy pioneer had built bis cabin house and first turned the fur-
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rows of that virgin soil which from that day until this, has been contribut- ing so bountifully to the wealth of the world.
"Today a great state of a great union of states, one of the great states of a great nation that has become a leader among the powers of the earth. The prairies covered with happy homes, with graizing herds and smiling harvests, with villages, towns, and populous cities, a veritable empire of more than two millions of people, happy, prosperous, loyal to country and her institutions; a people great not only in their number, but greater still in their spirit, their culture, their morality, and their intelligence.
Standing here today and looking away toward the distant horizon we gaze upon a scene of rarest beauty, and over fields of wonderous fertility. I have looked upon the peaks of the Rocky mountains, rearing their snow- capped crests toward heaven, veritable store houses of copper, and silver, and gold, and have stood entranced by their grandeur and filled with awe and reverence, as I contemp ated the wondrous works of the Creator, but for a scene of quiet restful beauty, give me these fields of Iowa, with their ripening harvests waiting to be garnered, a veritable cornucopia of plenty, and in whose alluvial depths is wealth incomparably g. eater than the gold and silver of mine and mountain.
As Tell loved the peaks and prags of Switzerland, so a native born son of Iowa, do I love these peaceful scenes about us.
.The You ask what land I love the best, lowa, 'tis Iowa, The fairest state in all the west, Iowa, oh lowa. From yonder Mississippi's stream,
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Oh, fair it is as poet's dream, In Iowa, In lowa. See yonder fields of tasseled corn, Where plenty fills her golden horn, In Iowa, In Iowa. See how ber wondrous prairies shine, To yonder subset's purpling line, Oh happy land, Oh land of mine, Iowa, Oh Iowa.
"These fields were bought from the Indians for seven cents an acre, the exact amount paid was $2,877,574. They have multiplied in value a thous- and fold, and during the life time of many in this audience they will yet multiply again, and let me say to you men of Iowa, that if you own an acte of Iowa land or an Iowa farm, keep it ; and let me say to you young men within the hearing of my voice, stay on the farm, there is no occupation more honorable. I believe in the whole, none more lucrative, and no place where you are more needed and can better serve your time and generation.
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"It has been officially estimated that the true value of all real and per- sonal property of the state reaches the tremendous total of $2,446,000, 000. I will not weary you with figures and the story of our physical greatness, for you are familiar with it, and there are matters of growth and develop- ment of greater import to you, to me, and to the world, for while we have been making such tremendous strides along the lines of physical growth and development we have been making a civilization of the highest order, a land of schoolhouses, a land of churches, a people whose influence for right and truth is being felt from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the lakes to the gulf.
"We are giving to the world men and women of education and culture, women noble and pure, men. upright and honest, men of character, men of force men of honor, men of courage.
"For more than a quarter of a century the mortal remains of our first governor had lain in the soil of a sister commonwealth, the grave unmark- ed, unhonored, and almost unknown. At the last session of the legislature a bill was introduced, passed, and received the approval of the governor, providing for the appropriation of one thousand dollars for the purpose of removing his body from Omaha, Neb., to his former home, Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa, and there erecting a suitable monument to his memory.
"The bill was introduced by our worthy representative, the Hon. J. W. Ellis, and in its behalf he was untiring in his zeal, unceasing in his effort. and to the many details in connection with the work culminating in these exercises today he has given freely of his time, his efforts and his means. By the provisions of the bill, the duty of removing the body, the selection of a design and the erection of a monument, was placed upon the Jackson County Historical society. The work has been done, the body has been re- moved and now rests beneath this sod, his ashes mingling with those of kindred and friends of long ago The monument has been erected, plain, simple, majestic, emblematic of the life, the times, and the character of him whose memory it will perpetuate, and if, honored sir, we can receive from your lips those words of commendation, 'well done,' we will be more than satistied, and it, standing here, a silent testimonial of the apprecia- tion of a great people, it shall be an influence creating a truer realization of the blessings we enjoy, a broader a deeper consecration to the public service a more exalted patriotism, our efforts have not been in vain.
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