John J. Milligan
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| John J. Milligan | |
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| U.S. Representative from Delaware | |
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| Born | December 10, 1795 Cecil County, Maryland |
| Died | April 20, 1875 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Residence | Wilmington, Delaware |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Martha Levy |
John Jones Milligan (December 10, 1795– April 20, 1875) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, who served as United States Representative from Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Milligan was born December 10, 1795 in Bohemia Manor, Cecil County, Maryland, son of Robert Milligan and Sarah Jones. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Wilmington Academy and St. Mary’s College in Baltimore. He attended Princeton College in 1814, but was expelled for "refusing to obey the lawful command of the presiding officer in the dining room." [1] He studied law with his brother-in-law Louis McLane and was admitted to the bar in 1818, and began practice in New Castle County, Delaware.
[edit] Political career
Milligan served eight years representing Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian in 1830, he became a member of the Whig Party when it was organized and served from March 4, 1831 until March 3, 1839. Having been defeated for reelection to a fifth term, he was appointed associate judge of the Delaware Superior Court on September 19, 1839, and served until September 16, 1864, when he retired.
[edit] Death and legacy
Milligan died April 20, 1875 at his retirement home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware.
Milligan is described in the Diaries of Edmund Canby as follows: "...(he)...is a beautiful speaker, his manner is fine, gestures good, matter well arranged, distinct and clear- certainly one of the most delightful speakers I have ever heard...Milligan would be a splendid speaker with practice...he has many happy hits and some beautiful classical illusions...He is, I am told, a fine classical scholar." [2]
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by: Kensey Johns, Jr. |
U.S. Representative from Delaware (at-large) March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1839 |
Succeeded by: Thomas Robinson, Jr. |
[edit] Public offices
At this time Delaware elections were held the first Tuesday of November. Members of the U.S House took office March 4 and served for a term of two years.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
| U.S. House | Legislature | Washington | November 7, 1830 | March 4, 1831 | March 3, 1833 | |
| U.S. House | Legislature | Washington | November 7, 1832 | March 4, 1833 | March 3, 1835 | |
| U.S. House | Legislature | Washington | November 7, 1834 | March 4, 1835 | March 3, 1837 | |
| U.S. House | Legislature | Washington | November 7, 1836 | March 4, 1837 | March 3, 1839 | |
| State Superior Court | Judicial | Dover | September 19, 1839 | September 16, 1864 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | votes | % | Opponent | Party | votes | % | ||
| 1830 | U.S. House | John J. Milligan | Whig | 4,267 | 53% | Henry M. Ridgely | Democratic | 3,833 | 47% | ||
| 1832 | U.S. House | John J. Milligan | Whig | 4,257 | 51% | Martin W. Bates | Democratic | 4,142 | 49% | ||
| 1834 | U.S. House | John J. Milligan | Whig | 4,779 | 51% | James A. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 4,626 | 49% | ||
| 1836 | U.S. House | John J. Milligan | Whig | 4,705 | 53% | Martin W. Bates | Democratic | 4,247 | 47% | ||
| 1838 | U.S. House | John J. Milligan | Whig | 4,379 | 50% | Thomas Robinson, Jr. | Democratic | 4,437 | 50% |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress. Middletown, DE: Roger A. Martin. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
- ^ (October 1974) "Diaries of Edmund Canby". Delaware History.
[edit] References
- Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress. Middletown, DE: Roger A. Martin. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
- Monroe, John A. (1973). Louis McLane. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-0757-X.
- (October 1974) "Diaries of Edmund Canby". Delaware History.
[edit] External links
- Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2005). The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
- Pickett, Russell S (2005). Delaware and U.S.History. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
- Pickett, Russ (2003). John J. Milligan. Find a Grave, Inc. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. Accessible Archives, Inc. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
- State of Delaware (1888). Superior Court Judges, past & present. Delaware State Courts. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
- U.S. Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Retrieved on 2006-06-01.
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