Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-11
JUDGE LEONARD G. WALES DEAD.
His Death Occurs After "a short liipess--i
Career of Honor.

Career Of Honor.
After weeks Illness Judge Leonard
E. Wales cd Monday night at his
residence, 1909 Delaware avenue. His
death follows close upon that OF his
sister, Miss Catherine B. Wulel, who
died on January 25th OF pneumonia
after a short illness. Her death was Il
great blow to the judge. Tuesday week
Judge Wales drove to tho Federal
building to hold q session of United
States court, but no case was ready.
While in the building he was taken
with chill, and went homo imme-
diately. He had a violent attack Of the
grip from which bronchitis developed
and resulted in his death Monday at
~. 30 o'clock. be was attended by DR..
Evan G. Shortlidge and by his brother,
DIR. John +. Wales. On account of his
critical condition Monday DR.. II. 9.
Wood of the University Of Pepnsyl
vania was summoned as consulting
physician. Tho Judge passed away very
peacefully. He was conscious almost
until tho laat. Relatives and intimate
friends were at his bedside when death
came.
Hon. Leonard Eugene Wales was
born in Wilmington on November e6ih,
1923. He was the third child Of Hon.
John and Ann Patten wales. john
Wales was born at New Haven, Conn,
July ,}lst, 1888, and died 10 this city
December ID, 1868. Judge Wales an.
cestorH were among the carly settlers OF
New England. His father was gradu-
ated from Yale College in 1901. and
studied law with Seth j. Staples, a
brother law, and practiced in his
native State, and afterwards in Phi!a-
delphia and Washington. He came to
Wilmington TO form law partnership
with James NJ. Brooma. This was dis
solved in 1919. Hon. John Wales was
one of the promoters of Delaware Col
lege. He was Secretary of State under
Gov. Thomas Stockton in 1896 and in
ls49 was elected to fill the uneypired
term of John M. Clayton who entered
President TaYlor's Cabinet, He was
Senator until 1851 and was succeeded
by James A. BayHrd. In 1920, he mar
ried Ann Patten. daughter 10 Mai.
John Patten OF Kent county. and they
had five children Leonard E., Gather
inc D., and Matilda c., all deceased,
and DIR. John p. Wales and Josephine,
now Mrs Bissell
judgu Wales' early education was
completed ut Hopkins Grammar School
in New Haven, Conn, from which he
entered Yale College, and was gTadu-
ated 10 1915. lie studied law under
his father and was admitted TO the bar
on May 9Th, 1913. For two years he
was associate editor with John A.
Alderdice OF the Delaware State Jour
nal, the organ of the Wing party.
For several years be was clerk in the
United States courts in this district
| In 1858 he was elected city solicitor,
| and was re elected 10 the following year.
In April, 1861. Mr.. Wales enlisted 10
CT. Il, First Delaware Regiment, for
three months. and WIS made second
| lieutenant The regiment guarded the
r., W. & Il. railroad between Philadel.
phia and Washington and was mustered
| out at the end of his term. In May.
| 1863, Lieut.. Wales was appointed COM
| missioner of enrolment for Delaware
TO superintend the drafts made for
Union soldiers. The work was not very
congenial TO the officer
While still com missioner no was APP
pointed by Gov. Cannon as asaoriate
| Judge OF New Castle county to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation OF
| Judge MilligRn. He was sv orn into Office
| October. 1864, and continued therein
| until March, 1884, whan hN was up
| pointed by President arthur, on March
| 9Th, to be Judge of the United states
Court for the District OF Delaware. to
| succeed Judge Edward @. Bradford.
who died January 18th, 1884. The APP
| pointmen6 was confirmed On March
| goth, and ;BHdge Wales was sworn In
| four days later. lIe has since ocpupied
| that position with great ability. Judge
| Wales has also hold court in the New
| Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania dis
tricts. lie has also sat in the United
States Circuit Court of Appeals.
Judge Wales was originally Wing,
| but had been member OF tine Repullli.
| can party since its organization in Del.
| aware in 1856, lilo was member oil
the Presbyterian Church. He was
| actiro 10 the establishment Of the Ferris
| Industrial Schoul ami was a member
of Its Board of Irustees. lie was presi
dent Of the Delaware Society OF the
| Cincinnati and of the Sons OF the
| American Revolution. From 1879 urti
a few years ago he was president OF the
| Historical Society OF Delaware. He
was greatly interested in historical mat
| tiers. Ito never married, and made bis
home with his late sister. Miss Gather,
inc d. WaleH, and his surviving sister,
Mira. BisselI. EF
1t is interesting to note that in his
younger days Judge Wales, who Their
lived in the vicinity OF Third and Ship
ley streots, ran Wit, thu Reliance Fire
Co., and used TO be one Of the first at thu
rope with which the old hand engine
| was drawn to fires.