May 5, 1881 – Iowa’s first state governor – stagecoach driver Ansel Briggs – dies, at age 75, at his son’s residence in Omaha, Nebraska.

In preparation of Iowa statehood, on December 3, 1846, as the newly-formed State Legislature met in Iowa’s new statehouse, located on Capitol Square in Iowa City, 40-year old Ansel Briggs – a one-time stagecoach driver from the little village of Andrew in Jackson County – took the solemn oath as Iowa’s first state governor. In December 1846 – one week after the actual event in Iowa City – The Burlington Hawk-Eye published Governor Brigg’s Inaugural Address in its entirety. In his short speech, Brigg’s referred to his humble beginnings…

“From my want of experience in the affairs of civil administration, I must naturally feel a great degree of embarrassment in my present position; but that feeling will be greatly lessened from the hope and belief which I entertain, that in your character of representatives of an enlightened constituency, you will kindly extend to me your aid and indulgence.”

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