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William Gustavus Whiteley (August 7, 1819 – April 23, 1886) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Representative from Delaware, Mayor of Wilmington, and Associate Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware.
William G. Whiteley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | Elisha D. Cullen |
| Succeeded by | George P. Fisher |
| 20th Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware | |
| In office 1875–1878 | |
| Preceded by | Joshua Simms |
| Succeeded by | John P. Allmond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 7, 1819 Newark, Delaware |
| Died | April 23, 1886 (aged 66) Wilmington, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Wilmington, Delaware |
| Alma mater | Princeton College |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Early life and family
editWhiteley was born near Newark, Delaware, to Henry and Catherine Whiteley.[1]: 983–4
William attended Bullock's School at Wilmington and graduated from Princeton College in 1838. He studied law under James A. Bayard Jr., was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1841, and began a practice in Wilmington.
Professional and political career
editHe was the prothonotary of New Castle County from 1852 to 1856, and was elected as a Democrat to the 35th and 36th Congresses, serving from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1861. While in Congress he was chairman of the Committee on Agriculture in the 35th Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1860 and resumed his occupation as prothonotary of New Castle County from 1862 to 1867.
Whiteley was mayor of Wilmington from 1875 to 1878 and was a member of a commission to settle fishery disputes between New Jersey and Delaware in 1877. He was census enumerator for Delaware in 1880, and was appointed as associate judge of the Delaware Superior Court from March 31, 1884, until his death.
Death and legacy
editWhiteley died at Wilmington and is buried in the Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Almanac
editElections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | March 4, 1857 | March 3, 1861 | |
| Mayor of Wilmington | Executive | Wilmington | 1875 | 1878 | |
| Associate Justice | Judiciary | Dover | March 31, 1884 | April 23, 1886 | Superior Court |
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857–1859 | 35th | U.S. House | Democratic | James Buchanan | at-large | |
| 1859–1861 | 36th | U.S. House | Democratic | James Buchanan | at-large |
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | votes | % | Opponent | Party | votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 | U.S. Representative | William G. Whiteley | Democratic | 8,111 | 56% | Elisha D. Cullen | American | 6,360 | 44% | ||
| 1858 | U.S. Representative | William G. Whiteley | Democratic | 7,868 | 51% | William R. Morris | American | 7,452 | 49% |
References
edit- Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress, the House of Representatives 1789-1900. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
Places with more information
edit- 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.
Notes
edit- ^ Conrad, Henry Clay (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Vol. 3. Wilmington, Delaware.
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