John S. Burgess

John S. Burgess (May 10, 1920 – September 20, 2007) was a Vermont attorney and politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives and lieutenant governor.

John S. Burgess. From 1970 campaign for Lieutenant Governor

Biography

John Stuart "Jack" Burgess was born in New York City on May 10, 1920. He was a bomber navigator in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, served on active duty again during the Korean War, and attained the rank of Major in the Air Force Reserve.[1][2]

Burgess graduated from the University of Vermont, received a law degree from Northeastern University in 1949, and became a lawyer in Brattleboro.[3] He served as Windham County State's Attorney from 1952 to 1957. He also served in numerous local government positions in Brattleboro, including Town Agent, Town Attorney and Justice of the Peace.[4]

A Republican, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Vermont Attorney General in 1962, losing to Charles E. Gibson Jr.[5] He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1966 and was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee before serving as Speaker.[6][7]

In 1970 Burgess was the successful Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and served two terms, 1971 to 1975.[8] He lost the 1974 Republican primary for Vermont's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to Jim Jeffords.[9][10]

After leaving office Burgess continued to practice law and maintained his participation in Brattleboro's local government and civic activities. He died in Keene, New Hampshire on September 20, 2007 and was buried in Brattleboro's Meeting House Hill Cemetery.[11]

References
  1. Newspaper article, Jack Burgess, Former Vermont Lawmaker, Lieutenant Governor, Dies at 87, South Coast Today, September 25, 2007
  2. American Legislative Leaders in the Northeast, 1911-1994, by James Roger Sharp and Nancy Weatherly Sharp, 2000, page 66
  3. In Memoriam Archived 2011-11-29 at the Wayback Machine, Northeastern University Alumni Magazine, Winter 2008/2009
  4. House Concurrent Resolution 23, by Vermont House of Representatives, 2007-2008 session
  5. "Gibson Over Burgess". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. September 12, 1962. p. 1.
  6. Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives, 1870 to present Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, published by Vermont Secretary of State, accessed December 25, 2011, page 9
  7. Newspaper article, Burgess to Seek No. 2 GOP Spot, by United Press International, Bennington Banner, March 25, 1970
  8. Lieutenant Governors, Terms of Service Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, Office of the Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, accessed December 25, 2011, page 2
  9. Newspaper article, Primary Results for U.S. House, Bennington Banner, September 11, 1974
  10. An Independent Man: Adventures of a Public servant, by James M. Jeffords, Yvonne Daley and Howard Coffin, 2003, pages 134 to 137
  11. John Burgess, 87, former Vt. Official, by Associated Press, Boston.com web site, September 25, 2007
Political offices
Preceded by
Richard W. Mallary		 Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
1969–1971		 Succeeded by
Walter L. Kennedy
Preceded by
John J. Daley		 Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
1971–1975		 Succeeded by
Brian D. Burns
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