Milford chronicle., 1936-01-03
JAMES PENNEWILL
E CHIEF JUSTICE
OF STATE, DIES.
Icopiipnsd from Fiysf Pseel


12-year term as chief Justice. III
thus served for 36 years continu.
cusly as a member ol the Supreme
Court
a native Of Greenwood, Judge
Pennewill moved % Dover m 1875
and there began the study of law Ia
the Office Of Nathaniel b Smithers.
having graduated from Princeton
University just after bis Dist birth-
day.
"A member Of an old and distin-
guished family, Judge PennewiIi's
parents were simeon and Anna
(Curry) Pennewlll He was a grand
son Of David Pennewiii, OF Sussex
county. His education began in the
public school at Greenwood and was
continued in a private school at
Bridseville. He prepared for COLI
lege at Reynolds Academy, in Wil-
mington. This Institution no longer
exists.
Admitted 10 Bar In 1873
Admitted to the bar in 1878, he
began practicing in Dover, gather
ing a large clientele. Though his
practice was chiefly in the Kent
county courts, his acumen as an at
tOrney was well-known throughout
the State and the esteem in which
he was held by other members of
the profession steadily increased.
For a time, he was a law partner
Of George ]. Fisher and later of
George v. Massey, both deceased. A I
keen interest IN public affairs led
him to play an active role in the /
politics Of Kent county during the
earlier part of his career as an |
attorney. He was chairman Of the I
Kent County Republican Commits T
tee and subsequently headed the 1
State Republican Committee
Fond of outdoor sports, Judge
2ennsFill was partial to baseball.
He was also fond OF the theatre and
read extensively on subjects that
attested the variety Of his interests.
a modest disposition and friendly
manner won him countless friends,
both within his profession and with
out. Coupled with this was the fact
that he was public speaker Of un-
usual ability
One Of his best addresses Of re-
cent years was made before the
State Bar Association at les sum-
mer dinner-meeting at Rehoboth IN
1888, the year of his retirement
fIom the bench. On that occasion
he gave general review of his ex-
perienee on the bench including his
recollections of outstanding figures
he had encountered in the profess
sion during his career.
Picked States Greatest Sons
II was on this occasion that he
paid a striking compliment to four
aepsons who have loomed large IN
the history Of the State Sometime /
ago was asked to name four or
five Of Delaware's greatest men in [
her past history" he said "Measur- /
ed BY long continued service, great
ability and personal Influence, / say
with an due Difference to the oDin- I
IOns Of others. that Delaware's most I
and useful citizens in Z
public life have been John M Clay
.on, Thomas F. Bayard, willard
salisbury and George Gray"
Though he was interested in poll
les, Judge PenneWill never held
political Office However, he was sig 7
lally honored In 1907 when the Re- {
publican majority in the State Leg e
stature offered him appointment as 2
j. S. Senator,
This occurred just as the Legis- e
ature was closing a long period of v
srangiing over the Senatorial ap-
lointment, q chapter in the history a
& Delaware marked by the bitter b
st acfimony and sharpest conten-
ion. Though strongly urged by in a
uential men Of both parties TO ac- Il
ept the offer, he refused. The offer u
ias made despite that he had never
cen candidate for the appoint !.
tent ID any way y y
One Of Judge Pennewill's most "
contributions to the Y
tate was bis editing Of reports on 4, y
elaware cases. He issued many y y
1lumes Of these ~ -
In his earlier career, but after 4,
e had been on the bench for many =
sars. one Of his most noteworthy
idresses was made at the launeh- IA
g of the Battleship U. S, S. Della az
are at Newport News
When he was given the testimOn- Jr
I dinner at RehOb0th Beach by the ri
ar Association upon his retirement Da
om the bench, he won the highest w
'aises from other attorneys. Clar-
ice A. Sontherland, who was then n
esident Of the association, was one Ch
the speakers. III
$50 Increasingly satisfactory were
Idge Pennewill's services as a.
ember Of the court" said Mr.. VI
sutherland, that the appreciation u.
him as wise. learned. indus
ous and upright judge gathered
rength with the growing years Of ~
s service. Never was there a time, WI
long as that annoying thing call
ammo domini was not a factor, Ph
len with universal acclaim the bar M
not regard him as a man ideally bee
alifed for appointment to high lsa
iiclal Office; and the people,
lugh not audihly yet neverthe Sai
s truly echo the opinion Of ihe He
! by the response Yes, let him be
Judge over us. con
Friends Shocked
Ipon learning OF Judge Penne- ton
'l's death on Sunday Chief JUS teri
3 Daniel }. layton made the fol- wit
Wing statement arhe death Of Sri.
ige pennewill came as a shock to -
/ had supposed he was IN health
4 H.l a.an.r f.4nto rcqrq of life atff