Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Jennifer "Jennie" Florence Riggs Cosson, 1874-1943
By Susan Barnum, librarian
Jennifer "Jennie" Florence Riggs was born in Lamoni, Iowa in February of 1874 and was one of nine children. In 1899, she earned her bachelor's degree in education from Simpson College. After graduating, she taught school in Indianola, Iowa. Jennifer met her husband, George Cosson, in Audubon, Iowa and they were married on December 28, 1904 in her parents' home. George was a lawyer and a progressive Republican who supported women's suffrage. After marriage, Jennifer quit teaching and the couple moved to Audubon, where George had a legal practice. In 1909, George was elected as a state senator in Iowa, after which Jennifer became very involved in local politics. When George became an attorney general, they moved to Des Moines. They had a son on December 19, 1914. The couple also had two girls, Mary and Jennie.
Jennifer became a well-known writer, speaker, and socialite in Des Moines. She effectively advocated for women's suffrage and women's rights between 1909 and 1920. However, she urged conservative suffrage tactics and opposed more militant forms of suffrage agitation. She believed that women's suffrage would help bring lasting peace to the world. Jennifer was also the writer of many of her husband's speeches. The Des Moines Tribune wrote of Jennifer Riggs Cosson: "Wit, logic, and clear expression were among her attributes."
Jennifer was a member of several organizations in Iowa. She was a member of the Iowa Legislative Ladies' League and of the Des Moines Women's Club. Jennifer served as president for both organizations at different times. She was a leading member in the Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs. She worked on the Young Women's Christian Association committee. She also served on the Des Moines Park Board and was a trustee of Simpson College. For the 1923 convention of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Jennifer served as the general chair. In 1925, she became part of Epsilon Sigma Sorority of Simpson College. Lastly, the description of her archival collection at the University of Iowa notes, "She was a vocal suffragist, writing and delivering speeches on the value of women's rights, and participating in debates."
In the winter of 1943, Jennifer went to visit her son, Clarence Cosson and his family. She contracted pneumonia on the trip and died on February 3, 1943 in San Francisco. Jennifer's funeral took place in Des Moines and she was buried in Glendale Cemetery in the same city. Her political speeches and other papers are available in the archive of the State Library of Iowa.
Graduation photo, 1899. Credit: Warren County Historical Society online newsletter, p. 3.
Accessed at https://www.warrencountyhistory.org/publications/newsletters/wchs2019-08.pdf
Des Moines Register, January 20, 1917
Sources:
"Attorney General and Mrs. George." (December 20, 1914) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79757482/
Billington, Addie B. "For Greater Iowa, the Iowa Legislative League." (February 14, 1915) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79756371/
"Des Moines Women's Club to Hold Annual Stunt Day Here Wednesday." (April 2, 1933) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79757787/
Dietrich, Robert. (2008) "Cosson, George," in The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Eds. Hudson, David, Marvin Bergman, and Loren Horton. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press. p. 102-103. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Biographical_Dictionary_of_Iowa/v-cdBfPrxfUC?hl=en&gbpv=1
"Guide to the Jennifer Riggs Cosson Papers." (n.d.) The University of Iowa Libraries. Retrieved from http://collguides.lib.uiowa.edu/?IWA0431
"Jennie Riggs Cosson, Educator, Writer & Suffragist," (August 2019) Warrant County Historical Society. P. 3. Retrieved from https://www.warrencountyhistory.org/publications/newsletters/wchs2019-08.pdf
"Legislative Ladies League Makes Plans for the Season." (February 2, 1919) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79758051/
"Mayor Names Mrs. Walter Huncke to Park Board." (September 5, 1933) Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79756750/
"Methodist Women Active in Preparation for Coming of Woman's Foreign Missionary Society Convention." (October 24, 1923) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79757787/
"Mrs. Cosson Does Not Believe Suffrage is Cure for Every Evil." (April 12, 1912) The Ireton Ledger. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80488128/
"Mrs. Cosson's Rites Monday." (February 6, 1943) Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79762884/obituary-for-cosson/
"Mrs. George Cosson." (February 5, 1943) Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79756905/
"Mrs. George Cosson Calls Group to Meet." (February 21, 1927) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80431924/
"Mrs. George Cosson Will Entertain." (May 10, 1931) Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79758051/
"Unique Evening's Entertainment." (May 16, 1915) Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79757395/
Wingate, Blanche. "Des Moines Women's Club to Hold Annual Stunt Day Here Wednesday." (April 2, 1933) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79757629/
"Woman Suffrage Will Bring Peace, Cosson Declares." (October 5, 1914). Des Moines Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80488309/
"Women Install 1926 Club Federation Chiefs," (April 28, 1926) The Des Moines Register. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79758876/the-des-moines-register/