The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-09
j. H. MARVIL DEAD
THE GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE
DIES AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.
Son of n Poor Farmer Who Made
cessor in Omce-9ther Deaths.

LAUREL, Del, April S.-Gov. Joshua r.
Marvil died at 9:15 o'clock this evening, at
by a complication of BTfght's disease, cry
sipelas and heart failure. At noon ali hope
ing he became insensible, lingering in that
condition until death came. The Governor
had been a sufferer for several months.
Joshua Hopkins Marvil was born in Lit
tie Greek Hundred, Sussex county, Della
ware, Sept. 3, 1925. His family. was origin
ally of English descent on the paternal and
French on the maternal side. He was the
son of Joseph Marvil, a farmer, who was
drowned in 1884, leaving a widow and six
children. none grown. Joshua was the
fourth child. Heiwas obliged to work, and
found the farm labor so pressing that he
was only able to attend school for a small
portion of the year. He remained with his
mother until twenty-one years of age and
then hired a man to take his place, while
he followed the water for a year. For
seven years thereafter the future Governor
was engaged in ship building, at which
calling he demonstrated rare mechanical
ability, and in a short time was made fore
man of the yard in which he was employed.
When but twenty-eight years of age he eS-
tablished q. shop for the manufacture of
agricultural implements and carried it on
until 1865. In 1879 he invented a machine
for manufacturing berry baskets, and by
hand power made 25,0O in that year. The
next year, steam fabelnE introduced, he
turned out 100000 baskets, besides crates to
contain the same. The business gradually
grew until the establishment now makes
two million baskets every year, besides
other boxes for the transportation of
fruits. In addition, a number of the estab-
lishments and firms in other States sought
his machinery, and are now using it. In
1910 Mr.. Marvil married Miss Sarah Ann
Sirman, of Sussex county. He has three
sons, two of whom were associated with
him in business. He was a consistent mem
Der of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
always having taken a great interest in its
work. The Governor had been for years af-
hicted with heart and kidney trouble, and
was unable TO attend to his duties since
March /, except for irregular periods.
William Thorp Watson, who. by the death
of Governor Marvil, becomes Governor of
Delaware. was born in Milford. Kent coun-
ty. Delaware, on June q, 1S49, and is the
son of Bethule and Ruth T.. Watson and
chief executive from January, 1S47. to jan
uary, 1851. Governor Watson was educated
at Charlestown, Md, and at the conclu-
sion of his studies returned to his home in
Milford. An uncle, Col {. SW atson,, a
member of the Senate i'll 1851, and his
father was at one time a member of the
lower House. Governor Watson moved to
Philadelphia in 1879, and resided there about
returned to Milford and was NOM
mated by the Democrats for a
seat in the House of Representatives
in 1885. He was elected, but the question
of his eligibility having been raised, he
not having been a resident of the State for
ton and a resident of the county Tor one
year, Mr.. Watson refused the seat. IN lss2
he was nominated for the state senate
and elected by a large majority. AT the
beginning of the present session ne was
elected Speaker.