Simeon S. Pennewill

Simeon Selby Pennewill (born July 23, 1867 in Greenwood , Delaware , † September 10, 1935 in Dover , Delaware) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1909 to 1913 .

Early years

Simeon Pennewill was born the son of a fruit farmer who mainly specialized in growing peaches. Simeon attended the public schools of his home country and the Wilmington Conference Academy , which later became Wesley College in Dover. He then worked in his parents' fruit growing business, which he inherited and continued to run. He soon rose to be a successful businessman who also invested in numerous other industries.

Political career

Pennewill was a member of the Republican Party . Between 1899 and 1907 he was a member of the Delaware Senate . In 1908, as his party's candidate against Rowland G. Paynter, the great-grandson of former Governor Samuel Paynter and candidate of the Democratic Party , he was elected new governor of his state with 52% of the vote. Pennewill took up his new office on January 19, 1909.

During his four-year tenure, he campaigned for economic and efficient administration. With the help of a controlled spending policy, he managed to leave a balanced state budget. Flogging as a punitive measure, still common in Delaware, has been increasingly criticized. The governor worked, albeit unsuccessfully, to improve this situation. The appointment of his brother John as Chief Justice of Delaware was also controversial. Nevertheless, he was able to exercise the office until his death in 1936.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Pennewill withdrew from politics. But he continued to devote himself to his private business. Simeon Pennewill died in September 1935. He was married twice but had no children. Both marriages were only concluded after his governorship.

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

personal data
SURNAME	Pennewill, Simeon S.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Pennewill, Simeon Selby
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician and governor of Delaware
DATE OF BIRTH	July 23, 1867
PLACE OF BIRTH	Greenwood , Delaware
DATE OF DEATH	September 10, 1935
Place of death	Dover , Delaware