Rutland

ORMSBEE, Ebenezer Jolls

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 292

Ebenezer Jolls ORMSBEE, of Brandon [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 08 
June 1834 in Shoreham [Addison County, Vermont], son of John Mason and Polly 
(WILSON) ORMSBEE. He received the education afforded by the common schools 
of the state and the academies at Brandon and South Woodstock, dividing his 
time between the farm and the school until his majority, when he taught 
school winters while acquiring the higher branches taught in the academy. He 
began the study of law in the office of Briggs & Nicholson, at Brandon, in 
1857, and was admitted to the bar of Rutland County at the March term of 
court in 1861.

Instead of entering upon the practice of his profession, however, he enlisted 
in the "Allen Grays," a military company of Brandon, in April 1861; this 
company became Company G, First Regiment Vermont Volunteers; was elected 
second lieutenant and commissioned as such, 25 April 1861; was with his 
company in the service of the U. S. during the term of its enlistment; 
mustered out of the U. S. service on 15 August 1861. Returning home, he 
again enlisted in Company G of the Twelfth Regiment Vermont Volunteers; was 
elected captain, and commissioned 22 September 1862. This regiment was 
attached to the Second Vermont Brigade, commanded by General STANNARD, which 
became the Third Brigade, in the Third Division, First Army Corps, Army of 
the Potomac, and taking a most noteworthy part in the Gettysburg campaign. 
Was with his company during its term of service; mustered out with them 14 
July 1863.

Taking up the duties of civil life, he commenced the practice of law at 
Brandon, as a partner of Anson A. NICHOLSON, in 1864, afterwards entering into 
a like business connection with Hon. Ebenezer N. BRIGGS, with whose son he is 
now engaged in the practice of his profession at Brandon. Was appointed 
assistant United States internal revenue assessor in 1868, serving as such 
until 1872; elected state's attorney for Rutland County, 1870 to 1874; town 
representative from Brandon in General Assembly of the state in 1872; senator 
from Rutland County in that body in 1878; appointed and served as a trustee 
of the Vermont reform school, from 1880 until 1884; was made Lieutenant 
Governor of the state; chosen Governor of the state in 1886.

Among many other positions of trust to which he had been called, and in which 
he has served with eminent ability, is that of chairman of a commission to 
treat with the Pi Ute Indians, at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, concerning 
relinquishment of part of the reservation to the U. S., to which he was 
appointed by the President in 1891; the same year was appointed by the 
President as land commissioner at Samoa, duties he discharged until 16 May 
1893, when he returned to this country and resumed law practice. Has been an 
active member of the state Republican committee. Member of St. Paul's Lodge, 
Free & Accepted Masons, of Brandon; has long been a comrade of C. J. Ormsbee 
Post No. 18, Grand Army of the Republic, an order at whose annual memorial 
services he has been a speaker and participant for many years. His religious 
preference is Episcopalian. He is now (1894) engaged in law practice at 
Brandon.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly