John Wales
John Wales | |
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United States Senator from Delaware | |
In office February 23, 1849 – March 3, 1851 | |
Preceded by | John M. Clayton |
Succeeded by | James A. Bayard, Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born |
New Haven, Connecticut | July 31, 1783
Died |
December 3, 1863 80) Wilmington, Delaware | (aged
Political party | Whig |
Residence | Wilmington, Delaware |
Alma mater | Yale College |
Profession | Lawyer |
John Wales (July 31, 1783 – December 3, 1863) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party who served as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
Early life and family
Wales was born in New Haven, Connecticut and graduated from Yale College in 1801. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1801 and began practicing law in New Haven, and later, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After two years in Baltimore, Maryland, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1815.
Professional career
In 1814 Wales became a secretary for the Society for the Promotion of American Manufacturers, which was designed to promote and encourage Delaware's manufacturing industry. Wales both drafted the by-laws of the Savings Bank in 1832 and served as the president of the National Bank of Wilmington and Brandywine from 1824 to 1829.
Political career
Wales served as the Secretary of State for Delaware from 1845 to 1849, and was elected as a Whig to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Clayton. He served from February 23, 1849 until March 3, 1851 when he failed in his reelection bid.
An abolitionist, Wales served as a Delaware representative to the First National Convention of the Abolition of Slavery along with famous abolitionist Thomas Garrett. When Garrett was tried in 1848 for aiding the escape of a slave family, Wales served as his lawyer. He was also one of the founders of Newark College in Newark, Delaware, now the University of Delaware.
Death and legacy
Wales died at Wilmington and is buried there in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.
Almanac
The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4, for a six-year term. In this case he was completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Clayton.
Public Offices | |||||||
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Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes | ||
U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington | February 23, 1849 | March 3, 1851 |
United States Congressional service | ||||||
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Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
1847–1849 | 30th | U.S. Senate | Democratic | James K. Polk | class 1 | |
1849–1851 | 31st | U.S. Senate | Whig | Zachary Taylor | class 1 |
References
- Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress
- Delaware’s Members of Congress
- Find a Grave
- The Political Graveyard
- The Underground Railroad
Places with more information
- Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
United States Senate | ||
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Preceded by John M. Clayton |
U.S. Senator from Delaware 1849-1851 |
Succeeded by James A. Bayard, Jr. |