William E. Niblack

William Ellis Niblack (May 19, 1822 – May 7, 1893) was a politician and judge who served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana, a judge on the Indiana Supreme Court, and a member of both the Indiana Senate and the Indiana House of Representatives

William E. Niblack
Judge on the Indiana Supreme Court
In office January 1, 1877−January 7, 1889
Preceded by	Samuel Hamilton Buskirk
Succeeded by	Silas Coffey
Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875
Speaker	James G. Blaine
Preceded by	Self/ Samuel J. Randall (1871)
Succeeded by	Lucius Q. C. Lamar II
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 Serving with Samuel J. Randall
Speaker	James G. Blaine
Preceded by	George S. Houston (1861)
Succeeded by	Self
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 1st district
In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	Benoni S. Fuller
Succeeded by	John Law
In office December 7, 1857 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by	John Law
Succeeded by	James Lockhart
Judge of the Indiana Third Judicial Circuit Court
In office January 1854–October 1859
Member of the Indiana Senate
In office 1850–1853
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives
In office 1849–1850
Personal details
Born	William Ellis Niblack May 19, 1822 Dubois County, Indiana
Died	May 7, 1893(1893-05-07) (aged 70) Indianapolis, Indiana
Political party	Democratic
Signature

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 (March 4, 1865 − March 3, 1875). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1874. He resumed the practice of law and served as judge of the Indiana Supreme Court 1877−1889. He moved to Indianapolis in 1889 and retired from public life. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 7, 1893 and was interred in Crown Hill Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "William E. Niblack (id: N000083)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by James Lockhart	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 1st congressional district 1857–1861	Succeeded by John Law
Preceded by John Law	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 1st congressional district 1865-1875	Succeeded by Benoni S. Fuller