Frank Parks Briggs Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Frank Parks Briggs passes away in 1992.

Frank Parks Briggs was an American politician.

Briggs was born on February 25th, 1894 in Armstrong, Missouri. He attended local schools in Armstrong and nearby Fayette, Missouri. He went on to attend Central Methodist College, also in Fayette. Before graduating from Central Methodist College he transferred to the University of Missouri in Colombia where he graduated in 1915.

After graduating Briggs became active in the newspaper and publishing business. He worked as an editor for various papers in Missouri and Oklahoma. He became owner of the Macon Chronicle-Herald in Macon, Missouri. He served as the editor and publisher of the paper. He also had a regular column in the paper titled "It Seems to B." In 1958 he was honored by the University of Missouri for the column. In the honor it was stated he "achieved the nearly impossible feat of keeping his newspaper and his public responsibilities entirely divorced from one another."

In 1930, Briggs, a Democrat, began his public life when he was elected as the Mayor of Macon serving from 1930 to 1932. From 1933 to 1944 he served as a member of the Missouri Senate.

In 1945, Briggs was appointed to complete the term of Senator Harry S. Truman when he became the 34th Vice President of the United States. In 1946, Briggs attempted unsuccessfully to win a full term of his own. From March of 1989 until the time of his passing he had the distinction of being the oldest living United States Senator.

After returning to Missouri, Briggs became a long time member of the Missouri State Conservation Commission, responsible for control, management, restoration, conservation, and regulation of fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state of Missouri. Briggs served as the Chairman of the Commission from 1961 until 1965.

In 1973, Briggs sold his newspaper and retired in Macon. He passed away on September 23rd, 1992.

Briggs was a member of at least three lodges. He was raised in Fayette Lodge No. 47 in Fayette, Missouri, Trenton Lodge No. 111, in Trenton, Missouri and Censer Lodge No. 172 in Macon. He was also a member of Macon Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, Centralia Council No. 34, Royal & Select Masons and Emmanuel Commandery No. 7, all of which are in Macon. In 1957 he served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. He also served as the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Missouri.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.