William E. Niblack

Who was William E. Niblack?

William Ellis Niblack was a U.S. Representative from Indiana

Niblack was born in Dubois County, Indiana, a cousin of Silas Leslie Niblack. He attended the country schools and Indiana University at Bloomington. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in Vincennes, Indiana.

He was Surveyor of Dubois County. He served as member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1849 and 1850, and served in the Indiana Senate 1850−1853. He served as judge of the circuit court of the third judicial district from January 1854 until October 1859, when he resigned. He moved to Vincennes, Indiana, in 1855.

Niblack was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Lockhart. He was reelected to the Thirty-sixth Congress and served from December 7, 1857, to March 3, 1861. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1860. He was again a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1862 and 1863, and served as delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1864, 1868, and 1876.

Niblack was elected to the Thirty-ninth and to the four succeeding Congresses. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1874.