Joshua H. Marvil

Joshua H. Marvil

Joshua Hopkins Marvil (born September 3, 1825 in Laurel , Delaware , † April 8, 1895 ibid) was an American politician and in 1895 governor of the state of Delaware.

Early years and political advancement

Little is known about Joshua Marvil's school days. He grew up on his family's farm and then worked as a seaman for some time. Then he was employed in shipbuilding before he went into business for himself that produced agricultural supplies and fruit baskets. After he was able to increase production in his factory with the help of steam power, his business took off enormously. At times it produced two million fruit baskets and one million boxes a year. In 1889 he also got into the newspaper business by publishing the first newspaper in Laurel, the "Gazette".

During the American Civil War he served as an enrollment officer in the service of the Union Army . It was then that he became a member of the Republicans . He remained loyal to this party even in the years after the civil war, although at the time it had no political chance against the overwhelming power of the Democrats . In 1882 and 1890, he refused to nominate his party as a candidate for gubernatorial elections.

Delaware Governor

In 1894 his party's nomination for the highest office in Delaware was again proposed to him, and this time he accepted. The conditions for a Republican to win the election were more favorable than ever in Delaware. For one, his party had found a sponsor in J. Edward Addicks, a Philadelphia millionaire , who partially financed the party. On the other hand, the Democrats were divided and had worn themselves out after 30 years of sole rule. In fact, Marvil won the election against later governor Ebe W. Tunnell by 221 votes. He was the first elected Republican governor of Delaware. At the same time he also got a majority in the House of Representatives . With this election victory a change was initiated in Delaware. With William T. Watson and Ebe Tunnell, there were two more Democratic governors in office until 1901, but only Republican governors were to be elected until 1937.

Governor Marvil took office on January 15, 1895. He feared from the start that his health would not allow him to serve a full four-year term. A harsh, cold winter was an additional problem. He died on April 8, 1895 after almost four months in office. Marvil was the ninth and so far last Delaware governor to die in office. In the short time in his reign he had no time to set new political accents. After his death, his office was taken over by William Watson, then President of the State Senate . Governor Marvil had three children with his wife, Sarah Ann Sirman.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Joshua Marvil in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Delaware (English)
• Joshua H. Marvil in the database of Find a Grave (English)