Frank A. Briggs

Frank Arlington Briggs ( born September 15, 1858 in Minneapolis, Minnesota; † August 9, 1898 in Bismarck, North Dakota ) was a U.S. Representative ( Republican) and from 1897 to 1898, the fifth Governor of the State of North Dakota.

Early years and political rise

Frank Briggs attended the local schools of his home in Minnesota. Before he turned to politics, he worked in Minnesota in the real estate business and in the newspaper industry. In 1881 he moved to the Dakota Territory. He was 1885-1887 eunuchs in Morton County. In 1894 he was State Auditor of North Dakota. In November 1896 he was elected with 56:44 percent of the vote against Robert B. Richardson of the Populist Party as the new governor of his state.

Governor of North Dakota

Briggs took office on January 6, 1897. During his tenure, a law for the regulation of railroad charges was adopted. This applied to the fares and the freight charge. Also a new Steuergestez was adopted. In the second year of his term Briggs contracted tuberculosis. On August 9, he died of this disease. He was the first governor of North Dakota, who died in office. Frank Briggs was married to Nannie Rachel Meek, with whom he had two children.