Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-06-02
Stan correspondence of Gazette and Journal.

anu ono iOuR W ToutluItI9Nl ny wv
throng which visited the State Hnuse.
The occasion was the presentation nj
portraits Of Gov. Tunrell and former
governors to the State of Delaware,
and the ceremony wus patriotic and
impressive in the extreme.
Representative Hall, which had bean
set apart for the festivities, had been
tHstefully decorated and platform had
been erected in the niche at the centre
porticu. Seats had been arranged to
face the west wall, so that all would
have no difficulty to sec the speakers
and hear what was said. The pre-
imiuary work was done by the mem
bers of the Legislature. the House
members devoting the morning to it.
CIV. Tunnel presided and at o clock
called upon the Rev. Charles A. Hill
of Smyrna, who made the opening
prayer. In his prayer Mr.. Hill gave
thanks to God for the fine men who
had governed the State and represented
1t in the councils Of this and other
nations. He referred to their startling
characters and prayed that their por
traits hanging il the rooms Of legis
lation might be 40 incentive to young
men Of future generations to emulate
their examples.
City Solicitor Henry c. Conrad of
Wilmington was the first speaker intro
duced by Governor Tunnel. He gave
Hn historical address. dwelling chiefly
upon the Governors who were elected
from New Castle county. The first
president Of the State, he said, was
John Mckinley, who was elected 10
I'LL, born in Ireland in l72l lie
married a Miss Jane Richardson of
near Wilmington. lie was sheriff Of
New Castle county and also chief
burgess OF Wilmington for about Is
years. lie was brigadier. general of
the State militia during the RevU-
luton and was captured by the British
and held a prisoner for about year.
Thomas Mexican was the second
president OF the State. lie was
Governor of Delaware, Governor of
Pennsylvania and Chief Justice Of that
State during the Revolutionary war
lie was elected president of the State
in 1777.
George Read was the third president
lie was boru 10 Cecil county, Nd. He
was member of the Legislature. also
member of Congress and member Of
the fret State Constitutional Con
vention. He and Richard Bassett we're
the firHt United States Senators from
Delaware. He married daughter OF
the Rev. George Russ of New Castle.
The fifth president was John Dickin-
son, who was elected in 1881. lie was
horn in Talbot county, Md. He speni
his hoyhood daya near Dover. He was
a member OF Congress from Della
ware. He opposed the Declaration oil
Independence, hut showed his patriot
ism by serving in the army as privata.
He died at his home, at Eighth anG
Market streets, Wilmington.
Nicholas Van Dyke was the seventh
president of the State. He was borr
at New Castle. He served in the Con
tinental Congress for several years. N,
known portrait OF him exists.
Joshua Clayton was the ninth presi
dent of the State. He WIS son o
John Clayton and came over will
Penn. On the death of Gov. Thoma
Collins he was elected TO succeed him
holding ntfica for six and one hal
years. He was also q United State
senator. After death he was burie
at Bethel cemetery, along the line @
the Delaware & Chesapeake canal.
Cunning Bedford was the lot
Governor OF the State. He was maid
in the Delaware militia. being CON
missioned in IT'S. He was wounde
at the battle of White Plains. Ii
held several State Offices and was
member OF Congress- lie was one
the tirst Presidential electors and cal
his vote for George Washington.
In the fall of 1916, John Clark ,
New Castle was electad Governor, beiu
the 18th Governor of the State. u
resigned from the office befors the Q!
piratIon of his term.
Charles Thomas was also a Ne
Castle county Governor He was
member of the HOUSE and afterwal
Speaker of the Senate. One daughte
Elizu Thomas, died in Wilmingtt
recently.
Caleb F. Bennett was the 27t
u Governor of the State. He was bol
in Chester county, Pa. His moth
was sister of tho famous DAM
Boone. He served with distinction
the Revolutionary War. He command,
battery at the siege of Yorktown. /
commenced his term as Governor
1881 He lived at No. Sal Mark
street.
Thomas Stockton was the 90
Governor. He was son OF Gen. Stoc
ton, who made an envialle reno
during the Revolution. He dist
guished himself at Fort George.
1874 he was elected Governor.
John L. Cochran was the 40
Governor OF the State. He came
delaware from Cecil county, Nd.
1875 be was elected Governor. He
the only living Ex-Governor from N
Castle county.
Benjamin T. Biggs was the 4
Governor and the last from New Gas
county. He was member OF C0ugr
ami wac elected Governor in 1886.
Wilmington has contributed ~
three Governors, the last being Ma
Bennett.
Judge James Pennewill told of
Governors who came from Kent coun
Caesar Rodney was the first fir
Kent county. He was born in
JONES' Neck in 1928, and died 10 II
lie was member of Congress and
State Legislature and served with d
tinction in the Revolution. lie '
elected Governor in ITS.
John Cook was sheriff of II
county, a member OF the Legislat
and served 10 the Revolutionary "
lie was elected in 1883.
Thomas Collins was born d
Smyrna. He was prominent in
affairs OF the State and nation
served with great credit az Govern
Richard Bassett was born in 1875 /;
died In 1915. lie was one of the M
prominent men in the country.
served as captain in the Continan
army, waa in the State Council fr
1776 to 1856; in the United States q
stitutional Convention of 1857; IN
United States Senate from 1888