Evening journal., 1897-02-09
sKETCH OF ILIs LIFE.


Hon. Leonard Eugene Wales was
born in Wilmington on November 26,
1928 He was descended from a long
line CT New England ancestors. going
back to the first cOlOnists. He was a
third child of Hon. John and Ann Pat
ten Wales. daughter of Major John rat
ten. Judge Wales father was born at
New Haven, Conn. July 81, 1888. and
died in Wilmington, December 3, 1863.
His American ancestors were among
the early settlers of New England.
Nathaniel Wales landed in Boston in
1885. Rev. John Wales, a great-grand-
son Of Nathaniel, graduated from Har-
ward College in 172S and for thirty
four years was pastor of the First Con-
gregational Church, of Raynham, Mass.
He married a eat-granddaughter OF
James Leonard, who, with his brother,
had emigrated to this country from
England in 1852 The Leonard bro
theirs established the first iron manu-
factory in this country at Raynham.
Rev. John Wales died February 23
1865, and left two children, Samuel and
! Prudence. The daughter became the
wife of Rev. Percy Fobes, of Raynham.
/ Samuel graduated from Yale in 1867.
and entered the ministry. At the time
of his death he was a professor in the
Theological School, at New Haven. He
married Miss Catharine Miles, of Mil
ford, Conn, who had three sons and
one daughter.
John Wales, father of Judge Wales,
was the second son of Samuel, and he
entered Yale College, from which he
was graduated in 1901. He studied law
with his brother-in-law Seth p. Staples.
He first practiced in his native state
and then went to Philadelphia. and
after being there only a short time
went to Washington. After being there
a few years he accepted the offer OF
James Nj. Broome TO form a law part
nersnip with him in Wilmington. lie
came to this city and soon rose to
prominence. In 1919 Mr.. BroOme. the
senior partner. removed to Philadel-
phia and the law firm was dissolved.
Judge Wales father was very prOmi-
nent in the political affairs Of Della
ware. Governor Thomas Stockton ap.
pointed him secretary of state in 1S4'
and in 1S49 he was elected to fill the
uneXpired term of John NJ. Clayton. who
entered President TaylOrs Cabinet
He was senator until 1851, when tn,
Democrats got control of the Legisla
/
Wales, in 1920 married Miss Ann Pat
ten, daughter of Major John Patten, o
Kent county, and they had two SON
and three aughters-Leonard e.
Catharine 3. and Matilda c.. (now al
deceased), and John p, Wales ant
Josephine. now Mrs. Bissell.
Judge Wales father was one of tn
promoters of Delaware College. ant
through his instrumentality the col
lege became established in this state
HIS ACADEMIC COURSE.
Judge Wales completed his academi
education at Hopkins Grammar Schoo
in New Haven, Conn, from which h
entered Yale College. and was gradu
ated in 1S45. He studied law unde
his father and was admitted to tn
bar on May 8, 1S4S. He immediatel
began practice in this city. For tw
years he was associate editor wit
John Allderdice, Of the DelawaI
: State Journal, then the organ of tn
Whig party. For several years he wa
s clerk Of the United States Court
l. this district, and in 1858 he was cleo
d ed city solicitor, and reelected in tn
N following year.
10 AS city solicitor Judge Wales mad
i an enviable record.
m HIS ARMY CAREER.
q In April, 1861, Judge Wales enliste
y in Company E, First Regiment Del
y. ware Volunteers, for three months, an
p was chosen second lieutenant. Ii
- regiment guarded the railroad hetwet
% Philadelphia and Washington At Il
ls end of his term of service Lieutenai
~ ~ Wales was honorably mustered out, al
''' in May, 1868, was appointed comml
sioncr Of enrolment for Delaware.
superintend the drafts made for Uni
soldiers. This was not very agreeat
OF position, involving the exercise OF mu
a discretion and often a decision.
ia After the war Governor Cannon a
ok pointed him associate judge Of M
rs. Castle county to fill the vacancy caus
Nv by the resignation Of Judge Milligs
no He was then appointed by Preside
Arthur on March 6, 1884, to be judge
the United States District Court, to 81
ceed Judge Elwood E. Bradford. Jud
ok Wales filed this position with hor
ed and dignity, and his decisions were S
ely dom questioned.
In politics, Judge Wales was VIII