BRIGGS, George Nathaniel Sr.

GREEN, BRIGGS, JUDD, KELLY, BURGESS, GILBERT, SANDAGE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/7/2016 at 11:09:56

BIOGRAPHY of GEORGE NATHANIEL BRIGGS
Graceland University, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa

George Nathaniel Briggs was born in Tabor, Iowa, on May 10, 1874, the son of Elder Riley William and Clarissa E. "Clara" (Green) Briggs and the nephew of Jason W. Briggs of early restoration fame. George's longevity record as President of Graceland for 29 years still stands. He emerged as one of the most important leaders in the college's expansion. His leadership during Graceland's formative years was so vital as to make his name synonymous with the college.

After receiving his bachelor degrees from Iowa State Teachers College (at Cedar Falls, Bachelors of Didactics, 1893) [teachers certification, January 1, 1895] and the University of Iowa (1897), George continued his graduate studies at Drake University (undergraduate law), the University of Chicago, and the University of Minnesota [honorary LL.D, 1923]. George's early aspirations were to become a lawyer.

George served as an inspector of high schools for the Iowa State Board of Education and in this capacity visited Lamoni in 1897. He was persuaded to accept the superintendency of the Lamoni public schools, a role he held for four years. During the Christmas vacation of 1899, George was employed to each mathematics at Graceland and during the following summer he canvassed subscriptions for the college.

George's talents lay in administrative educational work.

George left the United States in 1901 after being selected to teach in the Philippine Islands, which he continued to do for nine years. In 1906 he was appointed division superintendent for Suriago, Cagayan, Misamis, San Fernando, Pampanga and Bataan. He served as superintendent of the Philippines Normal School.

While in the Philippines, George met and married on April 21, 1902 his first wife, Carrie Judd (1874 - 1909, inter. Garden Grove IA). George and Carrie were parents of Dorothy "Maude" born 1903 in the Philippine Islands and twin daughters, Ruth M. and Elizabeth C. who were born 1904 in the Philippine Islands.

George was then appointed as a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Education in 1910. He married second on April 18, 1912, Jackson County, Missouri, to Grace M. Kelly (1885 - 1975). George and Grace were the parents of George N. Jr. born 1914, Washington, D.C., Mary Katherine born 1917 in Iowa, Roland born 1919 in Iowa, Margaret born 1922 in Iowa, and Philip born 1923 in Iowa.

In 1910, George was offered the position of Graceland's presidency. George, however, felt that he needed more preparation. He and his family returned to the United States where he assumed the duties and responsibilities as superintendent of Philippine students in Washington, D.C. and as a special agent of the U.S. Bureau of Education.

During its first 20 years, Graceland had gone through several short-term administrators. In 1915 George was once again offered the position of Graceland's presidency. He became the college's 14th president that September after the departure of Samuel Burgess. George was perhaps the first professional educator to assume this position.

Two years later, Graceland College was accredited by the States of Iowa and Missouri and the North Central Association of Colleges, becoming Iowa's first fully accredited junior college.

On April 7, 1916, George became an ordained high priest in the RLDS Church.

During his early years in the president's office, George successfully pursued accreditation for Graceland; the State University of Iowa became the first school to accredit Graceland as a junior college in 1916, and the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities eventually followed in 1920. George also saw the campus add Briggs Hall (completed 1921 and acquired its name during a reference made in a speech by RLDS president Frederick Madison Smith a few years after its completion), Zimmerman Hall (1927), and Walker Hall (1929). In addition to his presidential duties, George found time to teach political science at the college.

In May of 1944, George retired as president of Graceland College so that "a younger man can be designated to take over the administrative affairs of the college." He was succeeded by President "Willie" Gilbert. George served on the faculty, teaching history and political science. He was named "President Emeritus" of the board and college.

George spent his last years at his home in Des Moines, Iowa, where he died on December 26, 1952.

Grace M. (Kelly) Briggs was born in Missouri on March 23, 1885, and died in November of 1975, Des Moines, Iowa. George and Grace were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa.

NOTE: George's father Riley William Briggs was a lawyer, justice of the peace and state legislator for Pottawattamie County 1892 - 1894). George and Grace's daughter Dorothy "Maude" Briggs married Charles H. Sandage, and their son, Allan Rex Sandage, was an astronomer.

SOURCES:
Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where. . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 145-47. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 394. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Rose Hill Cemetery transcription

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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