The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-09

Tho death of Governor Marvii Will
greatly add to the present political com
plications in the state. The senate as at
present constituted stands five Democrats
and four Republicans but the Democrats
include Mr. Watson among their number,
and II he leaves tho senate it will be tie.
He may elect to serve in both capacities,
and 10 Is understood now that he will take
his seat In tho senate. whenever his vote is
needed by the party, while Senator Rec
ords will continue to act as speaker pro
TEN. The Republicans will doubtless pro-
test against this arrangements, which Will
add another to the many bitter contests
now prevailing In the Legislatures.
1t Is thought, too, that the death OF
Governor Marvil will hasten the solution
OF the senatorial contest by bringing the
opposing factions together.
Joshua Hopkins Marvil was born IN Lit
tie Creek hundred, Sussex county, Sept.
g. 1895 His family was originally of En-
glish descent on the paternal and French
on the maternal side, He was the son Of
Joseph Marvll a farmer, who was drowned
in 1884, leaving widow and six children,
none grown, Joshua was the fourth child.
He was obliged to work, and found the
farm labor so pressing that he was only
able to attend school for small portion
Of the school year.
He remained with his mother until 2l
years Of age, and thon hired II man to take
his place, while he followed the water for
year. For soven years thereafter the fu-
ture governor was engaged In shipbuild-
Ing, at which calling he demonstrated
raro mechanical ability and in u short
time was made foreman of the yard in
which he was employed.
When 2S years old MRrvil established
shop for the manufacture Of agricultural
implements, and carried 1t on until 1855.
| In 1870 he invented machine for manu-
featuring berry baskets and by hand
power made rs 900 in that year The next
| year, steam being introduced, be turned
out 00O, 900 baskets, besides crates to con
tain the same. The business gradually
grew until the establishment now makes
| 1000, 600 baskets every year besides other
| boxes for the transportation Of fruits. A
number of establishments in other states
are using his machinery.
| Mr. Marvil married Miss Sarah Ann
Sirmau, of Sussex county. He leaves three
| sons two of whom were associated with
| him In business He was IA consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
always having taken "a great interest In its
| work.
Tho governor had been for years afflicted
1 with heHrt HIu kidney trouble ana mas
been unable to attend to his duties since
March |, except at irregular periods.
William Thorp Watson, who, by the
death Of Governor Marvil, becomes gov
ernor Of Delaware, was born in Milford,
Kent county, Delaware, on June %, lS40
and is the son of Bethule and Ruth L.
Watson and grandson OF Governor Will
lam Watson, who was chief executive from
January lS47, to January, 1851
Governor Watson was educated at Ches-
tertown, Nd, and at the conclusion of his
studies returned to his home in Milford.
An uncle of the governor, Colonel G. S.
Watson, was IA member of the senate In
1857, and his father was at one time u
member of the lower house
Governor Watson moved TO Philadelphia
In 1879, and resided there about four years,
after which time he returned to Milford
and was nominated by the Democrats for
a seat in the house of representatives in
1888 He was elected, but the question OF
his eligibility having beon raised the not
having been resident of the state for
three years Immediately preceding his
election and resident OF the county for
one year., Mr.. Watson refused to take the
scat In 1902 he was nominated for the
state senate and elected by n large maj
ity. At the beginning OF the present ses-
sion he was elected speaker, and by that
election became the legal successor of Gov
ernor Maryil, there being no lieutenant
governor in Delaware.