Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 4.djvu/77

 upon the practice he soon developed a remarkable power as advocate before a jury and was on the way to great success in the profession when he became afflicted with deafness to a degree that rendered it necessary for him to seek some other occupation. In 1869 he became a writer on the Sioux City Times, where he was employed five years. He became a member of the city council and was chosen city attorney where he developed wonderful eloquence as a public speaker. He took a deep interest in public affairs and was one of the most effective stump speakers in the State. Mr. Brennan never forgot the wrongs of his native land at the hands of the English oppressors and no one could recount them with more fervid eloquence. His fame had become national and, in 1884, when James G. Elaine was the Republican candidate for President, John Brennan received an invitation from “the plumed knight” to accompany him on his remarkable speaking campaign through the east. During the agitation in America in behalf of Home Rule in Ireland Mr. Brennan was closely allied with Patrick Egan and John P. Finnerty, taking a conspicuous part in the national gatherings of the Irish leaders. He was a devout Catholic and during the later years of his life, gave most of his time to editorial work on The Northwestern Catholic, published at Sioux City. He died suddenly on the 5th of October, 1900. ANSEL BRIGGS, first Governor of the State of Iowa, was born in Vermont on the 3d of February, 1806. He attended the common schools when a boy with but one term at an academy. In 1830 his father removed with his family to Cambridge, Ohio, where the son established various stage lines. In 1836 he came to Iowa, locating at Andrew in Jackson County, where he established several stage routes and took contracts for carrying the mails. He had been a Whig in early life but after coming to Iowa became a Democrat. In 1842 he was elected to represent Jackson County in the Territorial Legislature. He was chosen sheriff of the county at a later period. At the Democratic State Convention held at Iowa City on the 24th of September, 1846, there were three candidates for Governor, Ansel Briggs, Jesse Williams and William Thompson. On the first ballot the vote stood sixty-two for Briggs, thirty-two for Williams and thirty-one for Thompson. The other candidates then withdrew and Briggs was nominated by acclamation. At the election he was chosen over the Whig candidate, Thomas McKnight, by the small majority of two hundred forty-seven. His political adviser was Philip B. Bradley, a shrewd politician who had successfully conducted his campaign. Governor Briggs served his term of four years in a quiet manner in harmony with his party, retiring to private life at its close with many warm friendships. In 1870 Governor Briggs removed to Council Bluffs and the last six years of his life were spent with his son, John S., in Omaha, Nebraska, where he died on the 5th of May, 1881. Governor Gear issued