John Wales
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 July 31 1783 in New Haven, Connecticut and graduated from Yale College in 1801. He was admitted to the 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 Garret. When Garret 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 December 3 1863 in Wilmington, Delaware, and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.
References
- Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress [1].
- Delaware’s Senators [2].
- The Political Graveyard [3].
- The Underground Railroad [4]
Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [5] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [6] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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