USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 17
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 17
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for the purchase of their lands. In October, IS41, he was commissioned jointly with Ilon. T. H. Crawford, Commissioner of In- dian Affairs, and Governor Doty, of Wis- consin, to hold a treaty with the Sacs and Foxes, which, however, did not result in a purchase. In September, 1842, being ap- pointed sole Commissioner for the same purpose, he succeeded fully in carrying out the wishes of the Government. In IS43 he held a treaty with the Winnebagoes, but in this instance no result was reached.
In 1844, his term of office having expired, he was re-appointed by President Tyler, but was removed in 1845 by President Polk. Shortly afterward, with greatly im- paired health, he returned to Kentucky, where, with skillful medical treatment and entire relief from official cares, he partially recovered. During the few remaining years of his life Governor Chambers's recollec- tions of lowa were of the most agrecable character. He spoke gratefully of the re- ception extended to him by her people, and often referred with great kindness to his neighbors in Des Moines County.
Ilis infirm health forbade his engaging in any regular employment after his return to Kentucky, but in 1849. at the solicitation of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, he ne- gotiated jointly with Governor Ramsey, of Minnesota, a successful treaty with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of lands. The latter years of Governor Chambers's life were spent mostly with h's children, whose affection and respect were the chief conditions of his happines. During a visit to his daughter in Part., Kentucky, he was taken sick at the lone e of lis soin-law, C. S. Brent, and ofte a few weeks breathed his last, September 21, 1852, in his seventy- second year.
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175
GAMES CLANKE.
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He remained in Wisconsin, working at his trade as a ja'nter, ontil after the magani.
HE third and last Ter- I zation of the Territory of lowa, when he ritorial Governor was James Clarke. Sometime in the autumn of the year 1837, when the trees were in the "scar and yellow leaf," a printer boy of slender form and gentle appearance might have been seen crossing the laurel hills of his own State. Behind him rolled the waters of the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful days. He had heard and read of strange countries that lay far off toward the setting sun, through which broad rivers run, and spreading landscapes unfolded to human eyes the most rare and magnificent beauty. With his youthful gave fixed upon that star which never sets, he set forth into the wild. of Wisconsin, a stranger in a strange land, an adventurer seeking his own fortime, de- pending upon his own exertions, with no recommendation save an honest face and genteel depor tinent. This young man was James Clarke, who afterward became the able, talented and popular Governor of lowa.
removed to Burlington, where the first Legislature of Iowa assembled. After the death of Mr. Conway he was appointed by President Van Buren, Secretary of the Ter- ritory, which office he filled with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. During the time he held this office The contributed by his kind, gentle and amiable manner to soften the feelings of hatred and distrust which at one time ex- isted between leading men of the Territory. Whoever had business at his office found him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, al- ways ready and willing to do whatever was desired of him, regretting, at the same time, that he could do no more. During the time he was Secretary he performed a vast amount of labor, but notwithstanding the large amount of business he transacted, he still found time to write for the press, and contributed many valualle articles touch- ing the future greatness of Iowa.
After he retired from the office of Secre- tary he again returned to the printing trade, and became the leading editor of the Bur- lington Gradite. To the columns of this paper he devoted his whole energies, and by so doing made it the leading Democratic paper of the Territory. In the carly sur .- mer of 1815 President Bulk removed M. Chambers, and appoint: IMr. Clarke to suc- ceed him as Governor of lowa. Previous to lis appointment le han I cen emetodiley
176
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
the people of his county a delegate to the first convention which assembled to forin a Constitution for the State of Iowa. In this convention he distinguished himself both for his talent and personal demeanor, and contributed to the pages of that Constitu- tion some of the great elementary principles which lie at the foundation of human rights. And although that Constitution was de- feated, he still had the satisfaction of seeing ; their spirit and meaning transferred to another, and still continued as the funda- mental law of our State.
The first Legislature after he received his appointment assembled at lowa City, on the first Monday of December, 18.15. Ilis message to the Legislature after its or- ganization is a model of style and clearness. He set forth the importance of an early ex- tinguishment of the Indian title to all the lands within the limits ot lowa, and urged the Legislature to memorialize Congress to purchase a tract of land on the Upper Mis- sissippi for a future home for the Winne- bagoes, and thus induce them to part with their title to a large tract of country known as the " neutral ground," a recommendation which the General Government soon after acted upon and carried out.
January 16, 1846, the Legislature passed once more an act for the purpose of elect- ing delegates to frame a Constitution for the State of Iowa. This time the friends of a State government took it for granted that the people of the Territory wanted a Constitution, so the Legislature provided that at the April election following the passage of this act, the people of the Tu- ritory should elect delegates to a chiven- tion. Accordingly, at the April election delegates were elected, and the convention. agreeable to said act, consisting of thing- two members instead of seventy as in the previous convention, met at lowa City, on the first Monday of May, 1845, aul after a
session of eightfew days produced a Con- stitution which was immediately submitted, adopted, and made the organic law of the State of Iowa. After the result was known the Governor issued his proclamation for a general clection to be held in November following, atwhich Ansel Briggs, of Jack- son County, was elected Governor of the State.
This proclamation was the last public act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new Governor was qualified, he turned over to him all the archives of his office, and re- turned once more to the printing office. Again he scattered through Jowa his beau- tiful editorials through the columns of the Burlington Gazette, until the name and fame of Iowa became known throughout the length and breadth of the land. He appeared at the capitol at the first session of the State Legislature under the new Con- stitution, delivered to that body an affecting and interesting farewell address, then stood back quietly during the whole of the ses- sion, and gazed with indignation upon his countenance at the dreadful strife, storms and bitterness which was manifested during the entire session.
This was the last time that Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the Legislature. He died soon after, at Burlington, of the cholera. Thus closed the carthly carcer of a just and noble man, cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of an useful career. He was married to a sister of Gen ral Do lge and this fact being known at the time of his ap- pointisent as Governo, drew upon the Do iges the title of the " royal family." But what ver might be said in this respect, the appointment could not have been bestowed upon a letter man, or one more competent to fill it. ITis history i. without a stain or reproach, and the workout his whole live no inan ever in.puted as dit against his chir- acter du a mian and a citizen.
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179
ANSEL BRIGGS.
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CANSEL BRIGGSW
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HE first Governor of Iowa under its State organization, was Ansel Briggs, who, like his two imme- diate successors, was a son of that won- derful nursery of progress, New England. He was the son of Benjamin Ingley Briggs and Electa his wife, and was born in Vermont, vi February 3, 1806. His boyhood was spent in his native State, where, in the common schools, he re- ceived a fair education, improved by a term spent at the academy of Norwich. In his youth, about the year 1830, with his parents, he removed to Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio, where he engaged in the work of establishing stage lines, and where, as a Whig, he com- petal with John Ferguson, a Jackson Democrat, for the office of county audi- tor and was defeated. In his twenty- fourth year he married a wife, born the same day and year as himself, of whom he was soon bereft. Before leaving Ohio he 1 .. orled his second wife, Nancy M., daugh t 1 of Major Dunlap, an officer of the war
In 1836, removing from Ohio, he joined that hardy band, so honored here to-day, the pioneers of lowa, and settled with his family at Andrew, in Jackson County. Here he resumed his former business of opening stage lines, sometimes driving the stage himself, and entering into contracts with the postoffice department for carrying the United States mails weekly between Dubuque and Davenport, Dubuque and Iowa City, and other routes.
On coming to Iowa he affiliated with the Democrats, and on their ticket, in 1842, was elected a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Jackson County, and subsequently sheriff of the same county. On the formation of the State government, he at once became a prominent candidate for Governor. Ilis competitors for the Democratic nomination were Judge Jesse Williams and William Thompson. The question above all others divi ling the parties in Iowa in that day was that of banks, favored by the Whigs, and op- jused by the Democrats. A short time be- fort the nominating conver tion met, Brings, at a banquet, struck a responsive chord in the popular heart by catering the toast, " No banks but canth, and they well tilled," a contentious appeal to the pride of the pro- ducer and the prejudice of the partisan which was an car caught up as a party
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GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
cry, and did more to secure its author the nomination for Governor than all else.
The convention was held at lowa City on Thursday, September 24, 1846, and as- sembled to nominate State officers and two Congressmen. It was called to order by F. D. Mills, of Des Moines County. Will- iam Thompson, of Henry County, presided, and J. T. Fales, of Dubuque, was Secretary. The vote for Governor in the convention stood: Briggs, sixty-two; Jesse Williams, thirty-two; and William Thompson, thirty- one. The two latter withdrew, and Briggs was then chosen by acclamation. Elisha Cutler, Jr., of Van Buren County, was nominated for Secretary of State; Joseph T. Fales, of Linn, for Auditor, and Morgan Reno, of Johnson, for Treasurer. S. C. Ilastings and Shepherd Leffler were nomi- nated for Congress. The election was held October 28, 1846, the entire Democratic ticket being successful. Briggs received 7,626 votes, and his competitor, Thomas McKnight, the Whig candidate, 7,379. giv- ing Briggs a majority of 247.
The administration of Governor Briggs was generally placid. Although avoiding excitement and desirous of being in har- monious accord with his party, when oc- casion required he exhibited an independent firmness not casily shaken. One perplex- ing controversy bequcathed him by his predecessors was the Missouri boundary question, which had produced much dis- quiet, and even a resort to arms on the part of both lowa and Missouri.
After the expiration of Lis four-years term, Governor Briggs continued his resi- dence in Jackson County, where lo engaged in commercial business, la in sold out his mail contracts when he became Grov year.
By his second marriage h. h ..! c. 10 children, all of whom died in intimes one two, and of these latter Andd, Jr., dial May 15, 1867. agel twenty-five y ur. John S. Briggs, the only survivor of the !
family, is the editor of the Idaho Herald, published at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory. Mrs. Briggs died December 30, 18.17, dur- ing her husband's term as Governor. She was an ardent Christian woman, adhering to the Presbyterian faith, and very domestic in her tastes. She was well educated and endowed by nature with such womanly tact and grace as to enable her to adorn the high estate her husband had attained. She dispensed (albeit in a log house, a form of architecture in vogue in lowa in that day, as the mansion of the rich or the cabin of the poor) a bounteous hospitality to the stranger and a generous charity to the poor, in which gracious ministrations she was al- ways seconded by her benevolent husband.
In 1870 Governor Briggs removed from Andrew to Council Bluffs. He had visited the western part of the State before rail- roads had penetrated there, and made the trip by carriage. On that occasion he en- rolled himself as one of the founders of the town of Florence, on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, six miles above Coun- cil Bluffs, and which, for a time, disputed with Omaha the honor of being the chief town of Nebraska.
He made a trip to Colorado during the mining excitement in 1860. After return- ing and spending some time at home, he went to Montana in 1863, with his son John, and a large party, remaining until 1865, when he came back.
His last illness, ulceration of the stomach, was only five weeks in duration. He vas able to be out three days I Have his de'n. which occurred at the sidence of his son, John S. Briggs, b. Omaha, May 5, 18: 1. at half past three in the monday. Gov.mor Gear issued a production the next day, reciting his services to the State, and Fire half-hour __ uns to be fired and the mati .- 0 dag on the State capitol to be half-m. ved, du ing the day of the funeral. He buried on Sunday succeeding his death ..
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STEPHEN HEMPSTEAD.
HSSTEPHEN HEMPSTEAD.C:
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HIS gentleman, the second Governor of the State, was born at New London, Connecticut, Octo- ber 1, 1812, and lived in that State until the spring of 1828, when his father's family came West and settled on a farm a few miles from St. Louis, Missouri. Here he remained until 1830, when he entered as clerk in a commission house in Galena, Illinois, and dur- ing the Black Hawk war he was an officer in an artillery company or- ganized for the protection of that placc.
Territorial Legislature in 1838 he was elected to represent the northern portion of the Territory in the Legislative Council, of which he was chairman of the committee on judiciary, one of the important com- mittees of the Council. At the second session of that body he was elected presi- dent thereof, was again elected a member of the Council in 1845, which was held in lowa City, and was again president of the same. In 1844 he was elected one of the delegates to the first constitutional conven- tion of the State of lowa, and was chair- man of the committee on incorporations. In 1848, in connection with Hon. Charles Mason and W. G. Woodward, he was ap- pointed commissioner by the Legislature to revise the laws of the State of Iowa, and which revision, with a few amendments, was adopted as the code of lowa in 1551. In 1850 he was elected Governor of the State of lowa, receiving 13,480 votes, against 11,403 for James L. Thompion, 575 for William P. Clarke, and It scotterit g.
At the close of the war he entered as a student of the Illinois College at Jackson- ville, Illinois, remaining about two years, leaving to commence the study of law which he finished under Charles S. Hemp- stead, Esq., then a prominent lawyer at The vote was canvassed on the 4th of December, and a connulittle was appointed Galena. In 1836 he was admitted to prac- tice his profession in the courts of the Ter 'to inform the Governor dect that the two Housesof the Le iskautre were ready to re- Give him in joint convention, in merthat
ritory of Wisconsin, then embracing lowa, and in the same year located in Dubague. being the first lawyer who practiced in he might receive the outh prescribed that place. At the organization of the the Constitution. After receiving formal
GOVERNORS OF JOPPA.
notification, Governor Hempstead, accom- panied by Governor Briggs, the judges of the Supreme Court and the officers of State, entered the hall of the House, and having been duly announced, the Governor clect delivered his inaugural message. after which the oath was administered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
This session of the Legislature passed a minber of important acts which were approved by Governor Hempstead, and formed fifty-two new counties, most of them having the same names and bound- aries to-day. These new counties were: Adair, Union, Adams, Cass, Montgomery, Mills, Pottawattomie, Bremer, Butler, Grundy, Hardin, Franklin, Wright. Risley, Yell, Greene, Guthrie, Carroll, Fox, Sac, Crawford, Shelby, Harrison, Monona, Ida, Waukau, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Buena Vista, Fayette, Cherokce, Plymouth, Alla- makee, Chickasaw, Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Clay, O'- Brien, Sioux, Howard, Mitchell, Worth, Winnebago, Winneshick, Bancroft, Em- mett, Dickinson, Osceola and Buncombe. The last-named county was so called under peculiar circumstances. The Legislature was composed of a large majority favoring stringent corporation laws, and the liability of individual stockholders for corporate debts. This sentiment, on account of the agitation of railroad enterprises then begin- ning, brought a large number of prominent men to the capital. To have an effect upon the Legislature, they organized a "lobby le islature," in which these questions were oble discussed. They elected as Governor Verydank Van Antwerp, who delivered to this self-constituted body a lengthy mes- sage, in which he sharply criticised the members of the latter were in the habit of
1
speaking "fue buncombe," and recom- mended that as their lasting memorial, a county should be called by that name. This suggestion was readily seized upon by the Legislature, and the county of " Bun- combe" was created with few dissenting voices. By act of the General Assembly approved September 11, 1862, the name was changed to " Lyon," in honor of Gen- eral Nathamel Lyon, who was killed in the civil war.
Governor Hempstead's message to the fourth General Assembly, December, IS52, stated, among other things, that the popu- lation of the State was by the federal cen- sus 192,214, and that the State census showed an increase for one year of 37,786. He also stated that the resources of the State for the coming two years would be sufficient to cancel all that part of the funded debt which was payable at its option.
By 1854 the State had fully recovered from the depression produced by the bad season of 1851, and in 1854 and 1855 the immigration from the East was unprece- dented. For miles and miles, day after day, the prairies of Illinois were lined with cattle and wagons, pushing on toward lowa. At Peoria, one gentleman said that during a single month 1,743 wagons passed through that place, all for lowa. The Burlington Telegraph said : "Twenty thousand immi- grants have passed through the city within the last thirty days, and they are still cross- ing the Mississippi at the rate of 600 a day."
Governor Hempstead's term expired in the latter part of 185.4, and he returned to Dubuque, where the following year he was day'ed county judge. This po Rion he held twelve years, and in 186; he retired on account of impaired health. He lived, how- regular general assembly. Some of the ever, till February 15, 1883, when at his have in Dubai que he closed bis record on making long and areless speeches, much to earth. He was a usual and active man. the hindrance of business. To these be ard deserves a prominent place in the especially referred, charging them with a Room of loveis.
GAME. W. GRIMES.
HIE third to fill the of- fice of Governor of Iowa, and whose name deserves : foremost rank among the men whose personal his- tory is interwoven insepar- ably with that of the State, was James Wilson Grimes. Jle was born in the town of Deering, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, October 20, 1816. His parents - John Grimes. born August 11, 1772, and Elizabeth Wilson, born March 19. 1773 --- were natives of the same town. Of a family of eight children born to them, James was the youngest. In early childhood he evinced a taste for learning, attending the district school and also studying Latin and Greek under the instruction of the village pastor. Ile completed his preparation for college at Hampton Academy, and entend Dart mouth College. in August. 1232, in ti. . sixteenth year of His age. Upon leaving college in February, 1835, he completed rea ling law with James Walker, I. q. in Petersburgh, New Hampshire.
his native home in 1836 for the far West, landing in Burlington, then a new town in what was known as the " Black Hawk Purchase." Here he opened an office and soon established a reputation as a rising lawyer. In April, 1837, he was appointed city solicitor ; and entering upon the duties of that office he assisted in drawing up the first police laws of that town. In 1838 he was appointed justice of the peace, and be- came a law partner of William W. Chap- man, United States District Attorney for Wisconsin Territory. In the early part of the year ISr he formed a partnership with Henry W. Starr, Esq., which continued twelve years. This firm stood at the head of the legal profession in Iowa. Mr. Grimes was widely known as a counselor of supc- rior knowledge of the law, and with a clear Sense of truth anl justic .. He Was chosen one of the representatives of Des Mains County in the Art Legrillative Assembly of the Territory of Isa, which canvene! at Burlington, November 12, die: in the sixt, at lowa CU .. December . 112 ; and in the fourth General Assembly of the Suite, at lowa City. Decode: 6, 1852. He early took trott rand. moong the pui- judiciary committee in the House of Rep- recutatives of the first Legodeny
Being young and adventutor , and will ing to carve a fort me for birgs H. he left nem Tanto: : 6 and Then This ..... .
lie was married at Burlington Namen
In February, 1854. Mr. Gifnagy: nom inated by a convention of the Whip party for Governor of the State. I was the largest convention of that party ever bekl in lowa, and the last. He was elected, and assumed the duties of the office in Decem- ber, 1854. Soon after his election it was proposed that he should be sent to the United States Senate, but he made it under- stood that he should fill the term of office for which he had been chosen, and he served his full term to the entire satisfac- tion and acceptance of all parties. He was a faithful leader in the political regenera- tion of the State. He introduced liberal measures to develop the resources of the State, and to promote the interests of all educational and humane establish- ments. Up to the time of his election as Governor, Democracy reigned supreme in the Territory. The representatives in Congress were allies of the slave power. He, after being elected, gave his whole soul to the work, and it may truly be said that Governor Grimes made Iowa Repub- lican and allied it with the loyal States.
January 14, 1858, he laid down his office, only to be placed in another and greater one; for on the 25th he was nominated by the Republican caucus for United
In January, 1869, he made a donation of Sintes Senator. He took his seat in the , 85.000 to Dartmouth College, and $1.000 Senate March 4, 1859, and was placed up on to the " Social Friend," a literary pocity of the committee on raval affairs January 24. , which he was a member when college.
ISH, on which he remained during the remainder of his & material cancer, serving as chairman from Decenter. 1864.
Mr. Grimes voted for the Pacific Rail- rond bill on June 20, 1962, and for etab lishing the gauge of the road nem the Mis. souri River to the Pacific Ocean, at fom feet eight and a half inches, February 1. 1953.
January 16, 1800. Mr. Grimt, war again chyen United States Senator Weg lowa short home of intese sabine.
Los Sy wells from Mardan. 1865. receiving We votes ef . ! but six of the members (: te Genend' Ar mildly in joint convention ; 12S out of 134. His council was often sought in matters of great moment, and in cases of peculiar difficulty. Always ready to promote the welfare of the State, Le gave, unsolicited, land worth So,oso to tic Congregational college at Grimell. It constitutes the "Grimes foundation," and " is to be applied to the establishment and maintenance in Iowa College, forever, of four scholarships, to be awarded by the trustees, on the recommendation of the fac- ulty, to the best scholars, and the most promising, in any department, who may need and seek such aid, and without any regard to the religious tenets or opinions entertained by any person seeking either of said scholarships." These terms were imposed by Mr. Grimes and assumed July 20, 1865, by the trustees. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. in 18: 5 from Dartmouth College, and also from lowa College. He also aided in founding a public library in Burlington, donating $5,000, which was expended in the purchase of costly books, and subsequently sent from Europe 256 volumes in the German li- guage, and also contributed Coo vitrines of public documents.
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