Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: BRIGGS, Frank Newton (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 400, 402-403
photo and signature 401


FRANK NEWTON BRIGGS.


	Frank Newton Briggs, a prominent banker of Denver, exemplifies in 
his life record the fact that success is not a matter of genius or of 
fortunate circumstance, as held by some, but is rather the outcome of 
clear judgment, industry and experience. Persistency of purpose has 
enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and 
work his way steadily upward until he ranks with the leading financiers 
and bankers of Colorado, having since January, 1911, been president of 
the Interstate Trust Company of Denver.


	He was born at Wilton Junction, Muscatine county, Iowa. September 
21, 1859, a son of Elias Clark and Rachel Jane (Byers) Briggs, the 
former a native of Vermont, born in 1831, while the mother is a native 
of Ohio. Her parents were Moses and Mary (Brandenburg) Byers. Her 
brother, Hon. William N. Byers, was a pioneer of Denver and the founder 
of the Rocky Mountain News, the oldest paper published in the state. 
The death of Elias C. Briggs occurred at Wilton Junction, Iowa, in 
1861, the mother being then left with the care of two children. Elias 
dark Briggs was a cabinet maker by trade and established a furniture 
store, which he conducted in connection with cabinet making, being the 
first to enter that field of labor in Wilton Junction. In those early 
days the town cabinet maker always conducted the undertaking business 
and for several years he was the only undertaker and furniture dealer 
through a wide territory, but death ended his labors when he was but 
thirty years of age and thus it was that Frank Newton Briggs was early 
forced to start out in life independently. The mother moved to 
Washington, Iowa, where she resided until 1881, when she removed to 
Denver, where she has since made her home.


	Frank Newton Briggs is indebted to the public school system of 
Iowa for the limited educational opportunities which he enjoyed, but 
the death of his father, leaving the mother with very limited means, 
made it imperative that he seek employment when but a young lad in 
order that he might contribute to the support of his mother and family. 
During the summer seasons he was employed at farm labor in the vicinity 
of Washington, Iowa.

	In 1879, he was offered a position in the Denver postoffice at a 
salary of five hundred dollars per year. He had previously been earning 
but eleven or twelve dollars per month and this seemed to him a very 
munificent sum. He was at the time a youth of nineteen. Having been 
unable to save anything from his earnings, he was forced to borrow 
seventy dollars from friends in order to buy his railroad ticket and 
equipment for the trip to Denver, where he arrived on the 30th of 
April, 1879.

	Energetic, determined and persistent, he never allowed obstacles 
and difficulties to bar his path it they could be overcome by continued 
and honorable effort, and such traits of character soon won to him the 
favorable attention of those higher up in the postal service. Promotion 
accordingly followed, so that when he severed his connection with the 
Denver postoffice in 1883, he was holding the position of chief of city 
distribution and superintendent of letter carriers. While thus employed 
he installed the first mail boxes in the city, receiving these from 
Washington, D. C. They numbered only twelve in all and Mr. Briggs 
selected the locations for these as a matter of convenience to the 
citizens. This was in 1881, following the introduction of the carrier 
system, the first letter carriers being at that time added to the city 
postoffice force. He continued in the government service for four years 
and then withdrew to enter into a merchandising partnership with Frank 
S. Byers in Grand county, Colorado, under the firm style of Byers & 
Briggs. While there residing Mr. Briggs was appointed postmaster of Hot 
Sulphur Springs and continued in that position until 1886, when he 
resigned, having been elected judge of Grand county. He ably served in 
that capacity until 1889, when he returned to Denver and entered the 
real estate business, in which he continued successfully until 1893, 
when the widespread financial panic involved the country and he lost 
everything, eventually paying up, however, all that he owed. Subsequent 
to that time he was connected with various business enterprises of the 
city until 1896, when he removed to Victor, Colorado, and purchased the 
Victor Dally Record from Halsey M. Rhodes. This he edited and managed 
very successfully, building up a large circulation and making the paper 
a. profitable one. This was during the boom days of the Cripple Creek 
district and he was one of the most prominent factors in the business 
and political life of that section during those exciting days.

	Mr. Briggs became prominent in the political activity of that 
region, serving as chairman of the silver republican party and later on 
doing much to shape the policy oŁ the republican party in Teller county 
and in the state during that period. In 1902, however, he disposed of 
the Victor Record and turned his attention to the banking business in 
Grand county. While on a visit to Denver he met Mr. Moffat, with whom 
he was well acquainted and who was then just starting to build the now 
famous Moffat Railroad. In tact it was Mr. Moffat who suggested to Mr. 
Briggs that he go into the banking, business in Grand county. The 
latter replied that he knew practically nothing concerning banking, but 
Mr. Moffat told him all he needed was a sate, a sign and a set of 
books, get an office and become acquainted with the people. The 
suggestion was followed by Mr. Briggs, who on the 2d of October, 1902, 
established the first bank in Grand county, at Hot Sulphur Springs. It 
was a very small affair, with five thousand dollars capital, occupying 
a little corner of the country postoffice, its space being about six by 
fifteen feet. In three years' time, however, he had built up his 
banking business from nothing to one hundred and forty-five thousand 
dollars in deposits and he then erected a substantial bank building 
which is still being utilized tor the purpose for which it was built. 
Moreover, he acquired for Mr. Moffat all of the right-of-way for the 
railroad through Grand county and acted as its financial and 
confidential agent for several years. Prospering in his banking 
operations, he extended his efforts in that connection by establishing 
the Bank of Kremmling and also the Frazier Valley Bank. After acting as 
cashier of the Bank of Grand County tor several years he was elected to 
its presidency, and having become well established in the banking 
business, he was called to a still broader field, being elected to the 
cashiership of the Interstate Trust Company of Denver on the 1st of 
May, 1908. Accordingly he returned to this city and from the beginning 
of his connection with the Institution its growth has been notable. His 
pronounced ability in this field led to his election to the presidency 
of the bank in January, 1911. Something of the growth of the business 
under his administration is Indicated in the tact that when he became 
connected with the Interstate bank it was capitalized tor fifty 
thousand dollars and its deposits amounted to two hundred thousand 
dollars, while at the present time the deposits have reached two 
million, six hundred thousand dollars, and the capital and surplus of 
the bank are two hundred and forty thousand dollars.

	Extending his efforts into other fields, Mr. Briggs organized the 
first bank of Bnglewood, Colorado, in 1909, calling it the Arapahoe 
State Bank. In December, 1910, it was converted into the First National 
Bank of Englewood and he was elected its president, In which connection 
he built up a strong financial institution, which he disposed of in 
1917. Whatever he has undertaken in connection with banking has been 
carried forward to success. He seems to possess almost intuitive 
judgment in connection with every phase of the banking business and his 
sagacity, keen discrimination and unfaltering enterprise have been most 
important elements in upbuilding the banking business in this state. He 
was president of the Colorado Bankers Association in 1914, and during 
his administration the Association made wonderful progress.

	On the 7th of June, 1888, Mr. Briggs was united in marriage to 
Miss Nannie Eyestone, a daughter of W. J. Eyestone, who at one time was 
a prominent public official of Iowa. Mr. Briggs is identified with 
several fraternal organizations. He has attained the thirty-second 
degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry, belongs to the Knights of 
Pythias fraternity and to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is 
also connected with the Denver Chamber of Commerce, and he and his wife 
are members of the Central Presbyterian church.

	In politics he maintains an independent course. Colorado has no 
stronger nor more enthusiastic advocate of its interests and 
opportunities than he, and throughout the entire period of his 
residence in the state he has been a most earnest worker for its 
upbuilding and advancement. Honored and respected by all, there is no 
man who occupies a more enviable position in banking and business 
circles than he - a tact due not only to the success he has achieved 
but also to the honorable and straightforward business policy which he 
has ever followed. His life record indeed illustrates the fact that 
success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.