Lewis RIGGS, Congress, NY (1789-1870)

RIGGS Lewis , a Representative from New York; born in Norfolk, Conn., January 16, 1789; attended the common schools and schools of Latin and Greek; was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade; studied medicine in the village of Torringford, Litchfield County, Conn., and received his diploma in May 1812; also attended medical lectures given by Dr. Benjamin Rush at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1812; practiced in East Winsted, Conn.; moved to Vernon, Oneida County, N.Y., in 1813 and later to Homer, N.Y., continuously practicing his profession; also engaged in business as a retail druggist and in 1828 in the sale of dry goods; served as secretary of the Cortland County Medical Society 1820-1823 and as president in 1825 and 1826; appointed postmaster of Homer by President Jackson on April 25, 1829, and served until August 7, 1839; was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843); resumed the practice of medicine; also operated a flour mill; died in Homer, Cortland County, N.Y., November 6, 1870; interment in Glenwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present