Smyrna times., 1901-03-20

lei law, but never practiced; is said
to have been a nntural born orator very
fluent IN speech and very tactful inpoG-
ties. He seems to have been very active
IN politics his life through. He was
elected in 1913, when only twenty-five
years of age to the House of Represen-
tatlves from Sussex, was reelected in
1878. Within the next year he moved
from Sussex to Milford Hundred i'm
Kent county, and in 1917 was elected q
Representative from Kent. In 1919
was member of the Levy Court Of
hent county, and was elected from
Kent to the State Senate in 1924. 1924
and 1888; was elected member of the
State Constitutional Convention in
1913 and served as its president. This
has always been known as the John
NJ. Clayton Convention, and no
man was closer to Clayton politically
than was Charles Polk, who served as
its president. He was elected Gov
ernor IN 1926 and became governor
again in 1896, by reason of the death
of Governor Caleb p. Bennett. who
died before the end of his term. and
Polk, as speaker of the Senate, sue
ceeded him; was four years Register
of Wills in Kent county and three
years United States Collector of Chs
toms for the District of Delaware. He
died October 2G, 1851 and is buried in
the Presbyterian churchyard at Dover.
He is said to have declined an appoint
ment as Chancellor of the State. and
it is understood that at one time, if he
had consented to serve, he could have
been elected to the Senate of the UNI
ted States
Governor Cornelius p Comegys.
The ninth governor from Kent
county was Cornelius p. Comegvs.
whose fathers name was Cornelius.
HIS father settled on Chester river in
Maryland. Cornelius 2. was born in
1880; came to Delaware about the time
he arrived at his majority, and after
marrying Miss Marin, made his home
at CherbOurg, a few miles east of Do
yer, the home OF the Marims. He was
in the War OF 1912, rising to the rank
of Lieutenant Colonel; was four times
elected member of the House of Rep
resentatives, serving each time as its
speaker. From 1918 to 1929 was cash
ier of the Farmers Bank at Dover.
and was State Treasurer from 1920 to
1888. He served full term as cover
nor, taking his seat IN January, 1896.
He was a man of social disposition
and very free-hauded in his hospital
ity. At his death he left eight chill
dren, one of whom being joseph p.
Come gys, who in 1915 Lecame Chief
Justice of Delaware; another son was
Benjamin b. Comegys, who attained
a high rank in Philadelphia as a tinan-
cier, serving for many years IS presi-
dent of one of the leading banks there.
Governor William Temple.
The tenth Governor from Kent conn
ty was William Temple. He was born
IN Queen Anne's comfy, Maryland, in
1914 and came to Smyrna when about
1Syears of age, living there the remain
of his life. He engaged early in life
IN the merchantile business and sue
ceeded handsomely indeed. He early
showed an interest in politics, being
an ardent Whig up to the beginning of
the war; was elected twice to the
House of Representatives and twice
to the Senate. In March, 1916, Cover
nor Thomas Stockton died and Joseph
Maule, speaker of the Senate succeed
ed him. Maule lived less than two
months; when he died, William Tenn
pie, who was then speaker of the
House succeeded him, and became
Governor, serving from May 1, 1916 to
January 1S47. In November, 1862,
William Temple was elected Repre-
sentative to Congress, as a Democrat,
his majority over George p. Fisher,
the Republican candidate, being only
nineteen. Temple died the May fol-
lowing, before he had taken his seat
Ill Congress. He is spoken of as a
man of large heart and possessing
many popular qualities. r. LOwber
Temple, Esquire, the late president of
your Society, was son of Governor
Temple.
Governor William Tharp.
The eleventh Governor from Kent
county was William Tharp. He was
born near Pennington in 1903 and
lived there until after his election as
Governor in 1916. The story is told
that he was so beset with his political
friends, while he lived near Farming
ton that he was really forced to move