John S. Burgess

John S. Burgess (May 10, 1920 – September 20, 2007) was an American attorney and politician from Vermont who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives (1969–1971) and the 72nd lieutenant governor of Vermont (1971–1975).

John S. Burgess
From 1970 campaign for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office 1971–1975
Governor	Deane C. Davis Thomas P. Salmon
Preceded by	Thomas L. Hayes
Succeeded by	Brian D. Burns
Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office 1969–1971
Preceded by	Richard W. Mallary
Succeeded by	Walter L. Kennedy
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from District 4-5
In office 1965–1971
Preceded by	Anthony Buraczynski (from Brattleboro)
Succeeded by	Robert R. J. Edmond
State's Attorney of Windham County, Vermont
In office 1952–1957
Preceded by	Edward A. John
Succeeded by	Ernest W. Gibson III
Personal details
Born	(1920-05-10)May 10, 1920 New York City, US
Died	September 20, 2007(2007-09-20) (aged 87) Keene, New Hampshire, US
Resting place	Meeting House Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Ronda H. Prouty (m. 1947)
Children	2
Education	Northeastern University University of Vermont
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force United States Air Force Reserve
Years of service	1941–1972
Rank	Major
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War

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 Forces 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 received an LL.B. from Northeastern University in 1949, graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in 1950, 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,^[4] Town Attorney, and Justice of the Peace.^[5]

A Republican, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Vermont Attorney General in 1962, losing to Charles E. Gibson Jr.^[6] He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1964, and reelected in 1966 and 1968; he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee before serving as Speaker.^[7][8]

In 1970 Burgess was the successful Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor and served two terms, 1971 to 1975.^[9] He lost the 1974 Republican primary for Vermont's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to Jim Jeffords.^[10][11]

After leaving office Burgess continued to practice law and maintained his participation in Brattleboro's local government and civic activities. He also served as trustee and treasurer of Mark Hopkins College, which had been founded in 1964 by Walter F. Hendricks.^[12]

He died in Keene, New Hampshire on September 20, 2007, and was buried in Brattleboro's Meeting House Hill Cemetery.^[13]

References

1. Newspaper article, Jack Burgess, Former Vermont Lawmaker, Lieutenant Governor, Dies at 87 Archived 2015-01-02 at the Wayback Machine, 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. "Burgess v. Reformer Pub. Corp., 84-059". vLex. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
5. House Concurrent Resolution 23, by Vermont House of Representatives, 2007-2008 session
6. "Gibson Over Burgess". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. September 12, 1962. p. 1.
7. 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
8. Newspaper article, Burgess to Seek No. 2 GOP Spot, by United Press International, Bennington Banner, March 25, 1970
9. 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
10. Newspaper article, Primary Results for U.S. House, Bennington Banner, September 11, 1974
11. An Independent Man: Adventures of a Public servant, by James M. Jeffords, Yvonne Daley and Howard Coffin, 2003, pages 134 to 137
12. "BURGESS v. REFORMER PUB. CORP, 146 Vt. 612 | Vt., Judgment, Law, casemine.com". www.casemine.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
13. John Burgess, 87, former Vt. Official, by Associated Press, Boston.com web site, September 25, 2007

External links

• Oral History: Jack Burgess, WWII Vet, sponsored by Brattleboro Rotary Club, accessed December 25, 2011
• John S. Burgess at Find a Grave

Party political offices
Preceded by Thomas L. Hayes	Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont 1970, 1972	Succeeded by T. Garry Buckley
Political offices
Preceded by Richard W. Mallary	Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives 1969–1971	Succeeded by Walter L. Kennedy
Preceded by Thomas L. Hayes	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont 1971–1975	Succeeded by Brian D. Burns