William Temple (governor)
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| William Temple | |
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| March 4, 1863 – May 28, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | George P. Fisher |
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| Succeeded by | Nathaniel B. Smithers |
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| May 6, 1846 – January 19, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Maull |
| Succeeded by | William Tharp |
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| Born | February 28, 1814 Queen Anne's County, Maryland |
| Died | May 28, 1863 Smyrna, Delaware |
| Residence | Smyrna, Delaware |
| Political party | Whig Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah Ann Ringgold |
| Profession | merchant |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
William Temple (February 28, 1814 – May 28, 1863) was an American merchant and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, and later the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as Governor of Delaware, and as U.S. Representative from Delaware.
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[edit] Early Life and Family
Temple was born February 28, 1814 in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, son of George Temple. At age 18, William Temple moved to Smyrna, Delaware and worked as a merchant there. He married Sarah Ann Ringgold in 1838 and had three children, Sarah Louisa, Emma Frances, and R.L. It is believed they lived at the northeast corner of Main and Mt. Vernon Streets and were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna.
[edit] Political career
Temple was elected to the State House, and served in the 1845/46 session as Speaker. After the deaths of Governor Thomas Stockton and Governor Joseph Maull, he became Governor himself on May 6, 1846. He served until January 19, 1847. No sooner had he inherited the job than he received a call to raise troops for the Mexican-American War, then just beginning. Much of Temple's short tenure was spent on this task.
Following his time as Governor he was elected to the Delaware Senate and served from the 1849/50 session through the 1853/54 session. Upon the demise of the Whig Party, he switched his party membership to the Democratic Party and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating George P. Fisher. While officially a member of the U.S. House from March 4, 1863, he died before the convening of the Congress, and consequently never actually served.
[edit] Death and Legacy
Temple died May 28, 1863 at Smyrna, Delaware and is buried there, at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery.
[edit] Public offices
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Senators have a four year term and State Representatives have a two year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term. U.S. Representatives took office March 4th and have a two year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
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| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1844 | January 7, 1845 | May 6, 1846 | |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | May 6, 1846 | January 19, 1847 | Acting | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1848 | January 2, 1849 | January 4, 1853 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1852 | January 4, 1853 | January 2, 1855 | |
| U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | 1862 | March 4, 1863 | May 28, 1863 | at-large |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
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| 1862 | U.S. House | William Temple | Democratic | 8,051 | 50% | George P. Fisher | Republican | 88,014 | 50% |
[edit] References
- Sobel, Robert; J. Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.
- Hancock, Harold B. (1961). Delaware During the Civil War. Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware.
- Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
[edit] Images
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2006-09-01. Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
[edit] External links
- Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress [1]
- Delaware’s Governors [2]
- Find a Grave [3]
- History of Delaware 1609-1888 [4]
- National Governors Association [5]
- Political Graveyard [6]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [7] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [8] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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Categories: 1814 births | 1863 deaths | American Episcopalians | Delaware Democrats | People of Delaware in the American Civil War | Delaware State Representatives | Delaware State Senators | Delaware Whigs | Governors of Delaware | Members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware | People from Kent County, Delaware
