Background
Briggs was born to John and Nancy (Frankland) Briggs, on October 23, 1827 in Bury, Lancashire, England. Because his father was dying, Briggs returned home, staying for a year, he continued to study law while at home.
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James Briggs
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The family settled in Holderness (now Ashland), New Hampshire, and attended the common schools and Newbury Academy.
Career
In 1848 Briggs began the study of law in the office of William O. Thompson of Plymouth, New Hampshire. Later Briggs went to work for Honorary, Joseph Barrows of Holderness, New Hampshire,continuing to study law with Judge Joseph Burrows of Holderness. Briggs was admitted to the bar in 1851, practicing in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, until 1871.
He moved to Manchester.
At the out break of the Civil War Briggs enlisted in the Eleventh Eleventh Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry serving as a Major. He was appointed as quartermaster on the staff of Colonel Walter Harriman.
Briggs served in the New Hampshire Senate in 1876. Elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh Congresses, Briggs served as United States Representative for the state of New Hampshire from (March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883).
He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War (Forty-seventh Congress).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1882 and resumed the practice of law. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1889. Foreign the last twelve years of life, he gradually lightened his law practice and entered more into being director and legal advisor to manufacturing and financial institutions.
Briggs died in Manchester, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, on January 21, 1905 (age 77 years, 90 days).
He is interred in Green Grove Cemetery, Ashland, Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Membership
Briggs served as member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives 1856-1858 and in 1874. Briggs was again a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1883, 1891, and 1897, serving as speaker in 1897.
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Born
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Died
January 21, 1905 (aged 77) -
Nationality
United States -
Political Party
Republican party