In 1839, a 33-year-old businessman from Ohio came to Iowa, started a small stagecoach operation, driving most of the coaches himself. Over the next two years, he secured contracts with the Post Office Department – transporting mail between Dubuque, Davenport, and Iowa City – which led to more routes, and the successful expansion of his business.
By 1842, this entrepreneur was elected to represent Jackson County at the Iowa Territorial Legislative Assembly in Iowa City, and by 1846, when Iowa became the 29th state in the Union, the Democrats nominated him to become Iowa’s first state governor.
Meet Ansel Briggs – Iowa’s only senior leader who began his career as a stagecoach driver!
READ MORE ABOUT THIS IOWA STORY HERE
Did you know? is an Our Iowa Heritage blog series that offers you a little bit of Iowa trivia from a large selection of stories on our website. Subscribe to this FREE blog and you’ll get a new email from us every Monday – Wednesday – Friday.
Join us for Our Iowa Heritage blog posts.
Learn some historical facts about Iowa City, Johnson County, or Eastern Iowa.
Amaze your friends.
Our Iowa Heritage 