Lewis Riggs

Who was Lewis Riggs?

Lewis Riggs was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Norfolk, Connecticut, Riggs attended the common schools and schools of Latin and Greek. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He studied medicine in the village of Torringford, Connecticut, and received his diploma in May 1812. He also attended medical lectures given by Dr. Benjamin Rush at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1812. Practiced in East Winsted, Connecticut. He moved to Vernon, New York, in 1813 and later to Homer, New York, continuously practicing his profession. He also engaged in business as a retail druggist and in 1828 in the sale of dry goods. He served as secretary of the Cortland County Medical Society 1820-1823 and as president in 1825 and 1826. He was appointed postmaster of Homer by President Jackson on April 25, 1829, and served until August 7, 1839. He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-seventh Congress. He resumed the practice of medicine. Also operated a flour mill. He died in Homer, New York, November 6, 1870. He was interred in Glenwood Cemetery.