The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-02

Ndence on the public square. DR..
sllnp was In attendance upon him
1nfly ali OF yesterday. and 1t was evil
lent that his wonderful vitality was
~ last exhausted, TO rally no more.
About o'clock his physician stated
nlswer to question thut he was
X1ptdly sinking and that he did not
hlnk it possible FOR him to live two
U4urs but five hours elapsed before the
NC came. His only daughter and
~ brothers were at his bed side when
~ died.
4n his death the State loses an up
Hht Judge u learned and impartial
Fist and the town of Dover one of its
Qat public spirited citizens who has
one much TO make tho town what it
Qw Is.
A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Ih6, deceased Chief Justice was born
oatfour miles east of Dover, at a
tlace called Cherbourg, Decetn her
Nh. 1913, and was the third son of
;ornelius Comegys. vino was alter
Ards Governor of this State from
Nn54 10 le4l. His mother. Ruhamah,
vas daughter of John and Hannah
4urim. His father was man or the
<ricfe5t integrity and superior bust.
ess qualifications, but OF such pro-
Qse ana unbounded hospitality and
<lfcnmstanees, and to prevent him
ReHtowing upon his many sons a col
EeKlate education.
There was however at that time an
xceiient academy in Dover, con
ucted under the auspices of such
nen as Thomas Clayton, Henry NJ
3tlukely and Governor Go:negyS where
lad OF Rood sound mind, aud
ksirous oil learning might acquire a
and classical education.
41inost II not equal to that which
4ouiu he had at most colleges in those
lays. IL was at this Old academy,
gituated at the south end of State
street. that Chief Justice Joseph z.
&2omegys received his education, and
proved one of the best anu most
Mtudious In tho institution
Alter completing his studies he en-
&ered the law once Of John NJ. CLAYTON
NM was at the time serving his iirsl
farm In the United States seuate. Mi.
Ilayton was greatly surprised to nHd
pls young student, who at the time was
Qut seventeen years of age, so We!l
Feraed in the classics, history, mythoi
[NQ4y and mathematics, and prcdictcd
TOT MIN that successful career in his
Epfofession which WIS fully renliHed in
nis early and middle Ifs. and crow ned
IN his later years with tile highest
Aunor Which his LHtiye State could
confer.
Upon complaining his law studies
With Mr. Clayton, he passed a most
credltable examination and wa, all.
mittcd to the bar at the APRIL term Of
eae Superior Court ISIS lie took i
Wfeat pride in his profession ana in II
very Tow years ranked with the aUtest
members Of the bar III tais state. For
many years he enjoyed the most iu-
EFative practice of ANY lawyer Ia Kunt
- Pa. -.
Ia important cases in New Castle ana
" sscx countiss. When Cher Justice
1Ioth died IN 1855, Associate Judge
[H1afringt0n, WIS appointed by Cover
nor Causey to till the vacancy.
me Governor then without any so.
Nlcttation on the part OF Mr. ON rgvs
~ his friends, rendered mm the post
kou OF Associate Judge, made vacant
Inc promotion Gf Judge inrring
e, which on account OF his large
fXracuce, he very properly declined.
ne continued to Practice ut the bar
until May 1875. when upon tho sudden
death of Chief Justice Edward W. Gil.
pltr he WAS rendered the position hv a
pefnoefatic Governor John L. CucA,
xaii. At the time lie was generally
eonsidered Wing ANA il w8s khoNi
Tint be had never voted tus Dsmuc rat
1c ticket or atieide Il cinorratic meet
ang. Consequently this was an tgnlonk.
ed Tor compliment which liz could net
well decline and from that tlma unIfl
no, at the request Of the Legislature
tunaela! hi resignation ON account
oil his declining We r5 and increasing
d1salilit1es. lie flied The position in
nor
But for tho liberal and churita lie,
disposition which he Inherited from
Ms father aud mother, the extensive
npracticc which heeuioysd FOR 50 many
would have eHabfrd hief Jus.
ice Goheg.S to hnyetttuHAse a hand
some fortune. but he had Teen satis
He'd, however, to indulge his spirit OF
Nberalityi and rest content himself
with simple competence.
r. As=ione as tho old Nhtg party main.
named lis organization, the Deceased
was All ardent partisan and was sew.
erai times elected CLERK and mrtnilar
OF the House of Representatives. in
Enc General assembly, and In which
pc was 4 recognized leader In 1876
ne was appointed by GovatLofs att,.v
70 Hi the vacancy In the tinted States
Senate. caused by the death of Hon.
John NJ. Clayton.
In 1887 he married Miss Margaret
a. Douglas. ltty OF thu, highest men
Ial endowment and most finished
manners and education. Miss Douglas
was a daughter OF the late Waiter
pouglnS ana a niece oil the Hon john
n. Clayton. immediately utter his
marriage lac wont to live In an old
iamliy mansion on the south side of
the fubiic square III over. where he
e0ntinued 10 reside until his de1tb
After being married over fifty years
MS wife calmly passed. away, and
from that tlme hs commenced to fail
rapidly. Ets@ had t!ltea children OF
whom Harriet alone Survivor. shortly
after he death Of his wife lie took a
trip to Europe Tor tho benefit OF his
neaitl, and returned. app lrentIy
greatly Improved
During The nearly seventeen years
that he occupied the position Of Chief
Sustice hs handed down SOM very I'm.
puftaiit decisions which are not only
xecognih Il rs standard authority in
This Stale. but also in many others
He was devoted to Dover, and ii Is
10 his public spirit anu trnucity OF Dur-
pose that tue town Is iudebfed for its
public buildings and other Improve.
Menis, which have gtSen Il tho repu-
thtion OF being the most benutifHl
town in this State
As q judge ite was t,tir md Impartial
S1n all cases brought before him. and
mis- strong mind and uneECetled lpgai
R1ttalnment5 enabled htin to fdliy nn.
erstani every poiItt at issue Ii san
Suiy be said OF him, a. was SAID OF one
Ms predecessors: "A just man. a
aH Judge; noble, high minded, at
sanie time aitable. sUiaetiues face
generous, kInfi.heartnd! apt to
Aready TO instruct and the friena
Aut especially of the fIiaudlpss
r of Justice, yet de.iEilrng In
ld by all suit bic nouns seek
monize the conflicting ela.
turbulent passions EN- rae,
auses on which he WIS Sd
Ten GO to sit In Judgment
NequleS t IN pace.
The ''na'lOual game has not been
adopted ~ tho sporting fraternity of
other nations Can 1t be only a coin.
sidepee that II sticks to the land oil
WI INN on 4 L.