Robert J. Reynolds
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Robert John Reynolds (March 17, 1838 – June 10, 1909) was an American politician from Petersburg in South Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, and as Governor of Delaware.
Early life and family
Reynolds was born in Smyrna, Delaware, son of Robert Wright and Sallie Gilder Marvel Reynolds. He married Louvenia Riggs and had one child, Byron, and later married Hester Thomas, with whom he had no children. They lived at "Golden Ridge", near Petersburg in South Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware and were members of the Methodist Church.
Professional and political career
Reynolds was elected to the State House in 1868 and served the 1869/70 session. From 1879 until 1883 he was state treasurer, and in 1890 was elected the Governor of Delaware, defeating Harry A. Richardson, the Republican candidate. He served from January 20, 1891, until January 15, 1895.
During these years free textbooks were first provided to public school students, and Delaware State College was established in Dover.
Death and legacy
Reynolds died at his home near Petersburg at South Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, and is buried at the Loudon Park Cemetery, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Almanac
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State representatives have a two-year term. The governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four-year term.
| Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Assembly | Senate Majority | Speaker | House Majority | Speaker | ||
| 1891–1892 | 86th | Democratic | John P. Donohoe | Democratic | William L. Sirman | ||
| 1893–1894 | 87th | Democratic | Charles B. Houston | Democratic | J. Harvey Whiteman |
| Public Offices | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 6, 1869 | January 6, 1871 | |
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | 1879 | 1883 | |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | January 20, 1891 | January 15, 1895 |
| Delaware General Assembly service | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Assembly | Chamber | Majority | Governor | Committees | District |
| 1869–1870 | 75th | State House | Democratic | Gove Saulsbury | Kent at-large |
| Election results | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
| 1890 | Governor | Robert J. Reynolds | Democratic | 17,801 | 51% | Harry A. Richardson | Republican | 17,258 | 49% |
- Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- 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.
Images
- Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
External links
- at Find a Grave
Places with more information
- Delaware Historical Society; December 31, 1996, at the Wayback Machine; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware; ; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byBenjamin T. Biggs | Democratic nominee for Governor of Delaware 1890 | Succeeded byEbe W. Tunnell |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded byBenjamin T. Biggs | Governor of Delaware 1891–1895 | Succeeded byJoshua H. Marvil |