Evening journal., 1912-10-03
JOSEPH wIeeLEswoRrH-A STRONG MAN.


following editorial endorsement of him as secretary Of
the Board Of Health by the Every Evening an in
dependent Democratic newspaper, which, when the
Democrats gained control of the City Board of Health
urged that Mr. Wigglesworth. although active and
prominent Republican, be retained in Office by Demo-
cratic administration:
The desire for the retention Of Secretary Wggles-
worth in Office is both natural and commendable He
is an admirable official. who is in love with the
work Of the Office and jealous at all times keep it
up to the highest standard. Such officials of the
greatest benefit to the public service and public in
terests advanced by their retention We do not
however subscribe the assertions that Mr. wgges-
worth is by far the best and capable of the var
GUS men that have filled this Office. Two at least of
his predecessors-the late E. B Frazer, Democrat,
and the late W. G R. colquohoun Republican, we're
officials Of his cabrein love with their work and at
all times seeking to the standard Of efficiency
But Mr.. Wigglesworth is good man in this Office
that cordially ndorse the sentiment that desires
his continuance. But the great question is: How
this be brought about Perhaps the members selected
by Mayor Spruance to form the next Board Health
have such for the public interests and such
disregard of partisan influences in this connection
to continue Secretary Wigglesworth in Office but the
custom OF the past gives Of this result
And then it will only remain hope that they will
choose someone just good
Such praise that coming from Democratic source,
lavished upon city official who all his life had been an
active and loyal Republican, is worthy Of the
sderation of al voters when they are consde & the
question of for whom they shall for Prothonoary
That praise must have been deserved by Mr. Wiegles-
worth, he would have received it from such
source. We sure that it deserved and that
what is true of Mr. Wgglesworths great work as
creary OF the Board o. Health will prove equally
If the New Castle county elect him their Pro-
thonotary. He is OF strong mentality. unim-
peachable integrity and SO converssnt with official
work that he would make an ideal county official In
Office important that Of the Prothonoary
Mr. Wisglesworth born in Walnut street above
Second street this city. July Is, 1858 His present
address is No 3o5 French street He has resided there
since he two years old, or, in other words since
1870 He is of the late George W. Wigglesworth,
who veteran of the Civil War having served
three years and three months in Company ], Fourth
Delaware Regiment The candidate for Prothonotary
also is grandson Of the late Joseph wigglesworth,
whom the older residents Of Wilmington will remem-
Der as having large in the Central Building.
at Fourth and King streets than sixty years ago
Young Wiggesworth received his education in the
public schools here and distinguished himself apt
pupil Early in life he became interested in Republican
politics and became useful to the party that he
elected member of the Republican First District Com
mittee AS member Of that important party organza-
tion he manifested such ability that he has been
tanned a member for almost quarter of a century
and is useful to it than he has been
For four years he secretary of the committee and
now is chairman OF the Republican Committee Of the
activity however he has remained popular with hum
dreds of Democrats, who, in common with the Re-
publicans regard him jolly good fellow
His service in the local Department of Health which
evoked such Democratic praise as is recorded above
began in 1898 when he appointed secretary Of the
Board He Immediately began systematizing and
improving the important work Of that office and
getting the vital statistics Of city in better shape
than they ever had been. Two years subsequent to
his appointment the Democrats reganed control of the
board and, disregarding the good work, Mr.. Wggles
worth had done. they removed him and appointed a
Democrat his stead In the latter part Of 1901 he
elected secretary of the Department OF Elections,
but resigned in May 1902 return his old position
as secretary OF the Board of Health. He served two
years and once more supplanted by Democrat
owing change the administration Of the depart-
ment
Mr. Wigglesvorth appointed Deputy Controller
OF New Castle county in January 1905 but after
teen months of service signalised by signal dis
play Of ability, he resigned aud more became
of the Board of Health He served four years
and then succeeded by Democrat appointed by
another Democratic board Since then he has not held
public office This year he decided he would
make run the Republican nomination for Prothon-
otary. His popularity is atesed by the fact that the
Republican primaries last month he enjoyed the al
most Unprecedented distinction Of carrying ward
the city Wilmington and one-haf Of the hundreds
in rural New Castle county. He won the nomination
by majority of Lac
With all his political activity, Mr. Wiggesworth finds
time for social and sporting diversion and also TO ride
a hobby two He is secretary of tho board of rus-
tees Of Ashury NJ f. Church. and is popular with the
officials and members of that church In addition he
is secretary of the Delaware Anglers Association. and
is fortunate a fisher of fish he has been a.
fisher of The American Public Health Association
has recognized his worth health expert by electng
him one of its trustees.
No TO look at Mr. Wigglesworth would think
he cfod fp raI
pursuits yet he is vce-president of the American
Archaeological Society, and is authority pre-
historic stone implements He is the possessor of
Of the largest private collections Of aboriginal Indian
Mound Builders relics in this country In the West
are many Indian mounds which still bear the inn
print of his industrious digging. At the present time
however he is engaged in delving into the electoral
mound in New Castle county and every move he makes