Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-06-17
t'ring industry and his firmness of
purpose, blended with great kindlness

1 -
ciate Juuge at large of the surname
court, the superior court, &C., of Della,
ware. lie was born April 18th, 1871
at Stockdales,the Colonial homestead of
his family, Grubb's Landing, Del,
where his first A merican ancestor. who
came OF an old county family in Wilt.
shire. England, settled prior to Penn q
| arrival. ~
Having completed his classical edu-
cation, he read law under his guardian.
Victor du Pont, leading lawyer in
| Wilmington, and was admitted to the
bar of Delaware in 1862 During his
| professional career he became couspicu-
Gus as successful lawyer and public
speaker. aud also as sagacious aod In
huential Democratic leader.
lie Is man OF scholarly tastes, as
well as of very practical executive
abilities. He has given much time 10
public affairs, and has left his Impress
upon many public measures and the
/ general administrative policy of the
State. His services have bepn recog-
nized by various State adm istrations.
ln 1867 he was clark of the House of
Representatives in 1860, Deputy At.
torney General for the Stain, and in
|
From 1S7J.79 he was Secretary of state
and member Of the State School Board
and Delaware member of the Demo-
cratic National Committee from 1880
| Sc, &c.
He was commissioned May 25th,
1886, Associate Judge for the State,
vice Hon. William g. Whitaey, de-
ceased. He has on notable occasions
la IN ha -
appeals, delivered opinions which have
attracted widespread attention through
out the Slate.
WILLIAM c. sPRUANCE. rex
William Corbit Spruance was born in
Smyrna April 2d, 1881. His father,
Presley Spruance, was for 81 years a
member OF the Legislature of Della are,
ard for six years Senator OF the
United States. William q. Spruance
had for his preceptor the Rev. George
Foote of Port Penn, and was prepared
for college under his tuition. lie
entered Princeton in January, 1919, and
graduated in 1852. Ills legal studies
were prosecuted under Chief Justice
Comegys, Hon. George u. Rodney and
at the Harvard Law School. lie was
admitted 10 the bar at New Castle in
November, 1855. He settled there and
remained until 1871. when he removed
to Wilmington. lie has since resided
10 this city.
For three, years he WINS deputy at
torney general. for - years attorney for
the Levy Court of New Castle county,
and for two years city solicitor OF Will
mingtop. In 1876 he was appointed to
the Office Of United States attorney for
the District NJ Delaware, resigning
that office in 1880.
Mr.. Spruance is safe, wise and loyal
counselor, and man Of sternest in
tegrity and untiring diligence. His
eminent ability, persistent energy and
vigorous methods have won for him
success at the bar and placed him 10
the front rank OF his profession.
Trained in the Wing school of politics
and firmly opposed to slavery, he joined
the Republican party at the outbreak
Of the rebellion, and has since been one
of its upholders in every important
campaign. His political attachments
proceed from his deep convictions OF
right and Justice, and bravely as he
fights for his party he loves his native
State ana the nation better, and would
prefer defeat Of his party TO it's success
through unworthy means.
lie was married in 1851 to Maria
Louisa. eldest daughter of the Rev.
John b. Sppttswood, ID. D.. OF New
Castle. One son, Arthur W., is asso-
ciated with his father in the practice
of law.
JAMES PRNNEwiLL.
James Pennswill was born near
Greenwood, Sussex county, June 10th.
1854 He is tho son of Simeon and
Annie Il. Pennewill. He received his
early education in the select schools
Of the neighhorhood, and prepared for
college at the academy OF Prof. William
A. Reynolds in this city from 1865
10 1871, entering Princeton College the
latter year, graduating in 1875. He
afterward entered upon the study of
law with the Hon. N. b. Smithers. He
was admitted to practice at the bar of
Kent county on October 2Sth, 1878, and
established himself at Dover. He was
for many years associated with George
v. Massey, and has been one of tho
counsel for the Pennsylvania Railroad
Co. for years. Mr.. pennswill has
always taken an active interest in pull
tics, and ia a Republican from eonvic-
tiun. He has been chairman of the
Republican State Central Committee,
and has been prominent in the councils
of the party. =
WILLIAM II. BoYCE.
William ii. Royce, son of ex.State
Auditor James II. Boyce, was born in
Broad Creek hundred, Sussex county,
November 2sth, 1855, studied law with
the late Chief Justice Alfred r. Robin
son, Hnd was admitted TO practice at
Georgetown, October 10th. 1857. lie
is an ardent and consistent Democrat
and has taken an active part in politics
for several years in fact, he has been an
acknowledged loader in bis county. lie
has always been In favor uf Uonstitu.
tional -oform, and during the campaign
took the stump with other prominent
speakers 10 advocacy of the calling OF q
Constitutional Convention. He is n
warm friend of Gov Ehe W Tunnel,
who, upon taking the Office which he
now holds, appointed him his secretary
Of htute. Mr.. Boyce is one Of the lead
ing members of the Kent county bar
and ia associated in business with h.
d. Hearns, a member OF the late Con-
stitutional Convention.
Dover, June l5.-As ruls the ap.
pointments to the bench, made yester-
day by Gov. Tunnel, give. satisfaction
in this locality, the only disappoint.
ment being among the friends OF the
twu judges who are retired. This was
to be expected, however, as the politic-