Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-01-26


Hon. Joseph 7. Comegys, Chief Justice
of the State of Delaware, was born about
four miles east of Dover, at the old family
seat Of the Martins called Cherbourg on
the 18th day Of December, 1873 He was
the third son of Cornelius p. Comegys.
governor Of the State of Delaware from
1887 to 1871, and Ruhamah. his wife tnee
Marim) who was the daughter Of John
Marin and Hannah stevens. his wife.
The governor was man of the strictest
integrity and superior business qualiti-
cations; but of such profuse and I'M
bounded hospitality and charity as to
keep him always in Strengthened circum-
stances and to prevent him from bestow-
ing upon his many sons collegiate edu-
cation. There was, however, in those
nlden days an excellent classical academy
in Dover, conducted under the auspices of
such men as Thomas Clayton Henry NJ.
Ridgely and Governor Comegys. where
lad of good sound mind and DESTROYS of
learning might acquire a mathematical
and classical education almost, if not
quite, equal to that which could be had at
most colleges in those times. II was Mt
this old academy, situated at the south end
OF state street, III Dover, that Chief Justice
Joseph i. Comegys received his education.
The last three years OF his academic
course this school was conducted by the
Rev. Ashbee Strong one of the best CLASH
CAT SCHOihTb anu elOCutlODlStS OF Itlat DAY.
Young Comegys by his excellent depOrt-
ment and his aptitude and strong desire
for the acquisition of knowledge, very
soon became fayorite with his good old
master; SO that when he went from The
academy to begin his law studies in the
office of Hon. John NJ. Clayton, who was
then filling his first term III the United
States Senate, the latter was quite surprised
to find his young student, then only II
years of age, so weil-versed in the classics.
history, mythology and mathematics, and
predicted for him that successful career in
his profession which was fully realized in
his early and middle life, and crowned in
his latter years with the highest honor
which his native State could confer.
1t is n remarkable fact, that of the eight
children left by Governor Conveys, to
survive him, all except one have lived to
be over 80 years of age and six of them
are still living, of whom the Chief Justice
is now the eldest They were all hale,
robust and fine looking men and women,
and all endowed with minds far above
mediucrity.
Having completed his law studies with
Mr.. Clayton, he passed most excellent
examination and WAS admitted to the bar
at the April term of the superior court,
1885, and in q few years took rank with
the foremost members Of his profession in
the State, For many years he enjoyed
probably the most lucrative practice Of
any lawyer in Kent county, and was fire.
quently employed in many cases in New
Castle and Sussex. In 1855 on the death
of Chief Justice James Booth and the pro
motion OF Associate Justice Harrington to
ill the vacancy, his old Wing friend, Gov
ernor Causey, without solicitation on the
part of Mr.. Comegys or any OF his friends,
sent him the commission of associate to
fill the vacancy occasioned by Judge llar-
rington's promotion, which he had the
good sense to decline. and con
tinued to practice at the bar until May,
1876 when, upon the sudden death of
Chief Justice Edward w. Gilpin, Demo
cratic Governor John II. Cochran rendered
him the commission of Chief Justice
although he was not member of that
party, and had never voted Democratic
ticket or attended political meeting for
many years before. This position he ever
since filled with signal ability and marked
impartialily. In 1882 the University of
Pennsylvania, recognizing his high excel
lence OF character and legal ability, con
terred on him the degree of Doctor of
Laws, an honor well merted blythe judge,
and creditable to that institution of learn
ding.
But for the liberal and charitable Gispo-
sition, which he honestly came by, as an
inheritance from both his father and
mother, the extensive practice which he
tiJONGu lOF 81 llldllN years MbhlAl llli Z tll'
abled Judge Comegys to have amassed
quite handsome fortune. He has been
satisfied, however to indulge that spirit of
liberality, and content himself with a
simple confidence
In his earlier life, as long as the Wing
party maintained its organization, Judge
Comegys was an ardent partisan and was
several times elected clerk and member of
the House of Representatives in the Cen
eral Assembly, in which, when ameniber,
he was u leader, and in 1886 was appointed
by Governor Causcy to fill the vacancy
in the United States Senate questioned by
the death of Hon. John NJ. Clayton. lie
never. however, permitted his political
ambition to interfere with his social rea-
tons, or to divert him from his steady
purpose of pursuing his profession with
diligence and fidelity to his clients.
In his manner and bearing lie nlngles
great dignity with pleasing suuvily and
cordially, so that in his company one
feels he is in the presence of gentleman
of the old school.
To his public spirit and tenacity of puT-
pose the town of Dover is, in great
measure, indebted for its public buildings
and other improvements and ornaments
tions, which have given It the reputation
vi being the most beautiful town in the
State, and, in fact, one of the most beauti-
full in the whole country.
When he had been about two years at
the bar lie married Miss Margaret A.
Douglass q lady of the highest mental
endowment and most finished manners