Charles L. Terry Jr.
Charles L. Terry Jr. | |
---|---|
65th Governor of Delaware | |
In office January 19, 1965 – January 21, 1969 | |
Lieutenant | Sherman W. Tribbitt |
Preceded by | Elbert N. Carvel |
Succeeded by | Russell W. Peterson |
Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court | |
In office May 1963 – August 19, 1964 | |
Appointed by | Elbert N. Carvel |
Preceded by | Clarence A. Southerland |
Succeeded by | Daniel F. Wolcott |
Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court | |
In office July 23, 1962 – May 1963 | |
Appointed by | Elbert N. Carvel |
Associate Justice of the Delaware Superior Court | |
In office December 7, 1938 – April 29, 1957 | |
Appointed by | Richard McMullen |
Secretary of State of Delaware | |
In office 1937–1938 | |
Governor | Richard McMullen |
Preceded by | Walter Dent Smith |
Succeeded by | Josiah Marvel Jr. |
Personal details | |
Born | Charles Layman Terry Jr. September 17, 1900 Camden, Delaware, U.S. |
Died | February 6, 1970 Dover, Delaware, U.S. | (aged 69)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jessica Irby |
Residence(s) | Dover, Delaware |
Alma mater | University of Virginia |
Profession | lawyer |
Charles Layman Terry Jr. (September 17, 1900 – February 6, 1970) was an American lawyer and politician from
Early life and family
Terry was born at Camden, Delaware, son of Charles Layman Sr. and Elizabeth Maxon Terry. He attended Wesley College and the University of Virginia, receiving his law degree from Washington and Lee University. At Virginia, Terry was initiated into the Psi Chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.[1] Terry married Jessica Irby and had one child, Charles III. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Dover.
Professional and judicial career
Terry was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1924 and practiced in Dover, serving as attorney for the
Henry R. Horsey and William Duffy in their article on the Delaware Courts described Terry's tenure as Judge as follows: "In his twenty-five years on the bench, Judge Terry, or just plain "Charlie" as he preferred to be called, was, through his knowledge of the legislative process and influence with the General Assembly, instrumental in obtaining numerous judicial reforms. These included an increase in judicial salaries and significant improvements in the judicial pension system, establishment of full-time Courts of Common Pleas in Kent and Sussex Counties, enduring support for the creation of the present separate Supreme Court of Delaware and extensive improvements and enlargements of the judicial facilities in both the Public Building in Wilmington and the Kent County Courthouse.
Governor of Delaware
Terry had political ambitions and with the support of the incumbent governor, Elbert N. Carvel, resigned as chief justice. He was elected as Governor of Delaware in 1964, defeating Republican David P. Buckson, a former acting governor.
As governor the former Justice instituted a major reform of the magistrate courts or justice of the peace court system, transforming a "court once ridden with politics and favoritism" into what eventually became "an efficient system of salaried, full-time judges sitting in a courtroom setting and conducting proceedings under uniform written rules of procedure." In particular, the practice of paying fees to these officials based on the number of cases was ended, and they came to receive a set salary. A second change occurred with the purchase of Woodburn, the official Governor's House. Governor Terry and his family were the first occupants. Terry's other major initiative was the founding of the
However, Delaware could not escape the key issues of the 1960s, particularly the issue of racial equality. In the
Terry was not without considerable support for his notable accomplishments and for the way he handled the violence in Wilmington. He campaigned for a second term and only narrowly lost, believing an October heart attack and a rezoning dispute in Sussex County cost him the election. However, 1968 was a Republican sweep, and Russell W. Peterson, a chemist from New Castle County, was able to defeat the incumbent governor, undoubtedly helped by a large number of Democrats in Wilmington who were seeking new leadership to end the tension and violence.
Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor) | |||||||||||
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Year | Assembly | Senate Majority | President pro tempore |
House Majority | Speaker | ||||||
1965–1966 | 123rd | Democratic | Curtis W. Steen | Democratic | Harold T. Bockman | ||||||
1967–1968 | 124th | Democratic | Calvin R. McCullough | Republican | George C. Herring, III |
Death and legacy
Terry died at Dover and is buried there in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. The Charles L. Terry Campus of the
Almanac
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four-year term. All judicial positions are appointed by the governor.
Public Offices | ||||||
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Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes | |
Judge | Judiciary | Dover | December 7, 1938 | April 29, 1957 | Superior Court | |
President Judge
|
Judiciary | Dover | April 29, 1957 | July 23, 1962 | Superior Court | |
Justice | Judiciary | Dover | July 23, 1962 | May 1963 | Supreme Court | |
Chief Justice
|
Judiciary | Dover | May 1963 | August 19, 1964 | Supreme Court | |
Governor | Executive | Dover | January 19, 1965 | January 21, 1969 |
Election results | |||||||||||
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Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
1964 | Governor | Charles L. Terry Jr. | Democratic | 102,797 | 51% | David P. Buckson | Republican | 97,374 | 49% | ||
1968 | Governor | Charles L. Terry Jr. | Democratic | 102,360 | 49% | Russell W. Peterson | Republican | 104,474 | 51% |
References
- ^ Calyx Yearbook. Lexington, Virginia: Washington and Lee University. 1922. p. 56.
- Boyer, William W. (2000). Governing Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Davis, Ned (2000). Charles L. Terry. Wilmington, Delaware: Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924177-15-X.
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Martin, Roger (1997). Elbert N. Carvel. Wilmington, Delaware: Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 0-924117-08-7.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
Images
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery ; Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
External links
- Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
- Delaware's Governors
- Charles L. Terry Jr. at Find a Grave
- The Political Graveyard
- The Supreme Court of Delaware
Places with more information
- Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965