Ebenezer N. Briggs
Ebenezer N. Briggs was an American lawyer and politician in the U.S. state of Vermont. He served as the Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives and as President Pro Tem of the Vermont Senate. He was also the father-in-law and law partner of Governor Ebenezer J. Ormsbee.
Early life
Ebenezer Nelson Briggs was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts on November 1, 1801. He was raised and educated in Middleboro, attended the public schools, and graduated from Middleboro's Pierce Academy. He subsequently attended a school in Providence, Rhode Island. He then moved to Pittsford, Vermont, where he studied law with attorney George Newell. Briggs was admitted to the bar in 1823 and began to practice in Salisbury, Vermont. For several years he served as Addison County State's Attorney. John Prout, later a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, studied law under Briggs' and became Briggs' partner after attaining admission to the bar.Briggs later moved to Brandon, Vermont. For many years Briggs was the attorney for the Rutland Railroad, and also served as an officer and director of the Bank of Brandon and the Brandon National Bank. He continued to practice law in partnership with Ebenezer J. Ormsbee, who served as Vermont Governor from 1886 to 1888.
Political career
Originally a Whig and later a Republican, Briggs served several terms in the Vermont House of Representatives and was Speaker from 1834 to 1836 and from 1845 to 1847. He also served several terms in the Vermont Senate. From 1843 to 1845 he was Senate President Pro Tem.Briggs died in Brandon on January 26, 1873. He was a longtime trustee of Brandon's Pine Hill Cemetery, and he was buried there following his death.