John B. Penington

John Brown Penington (December 20, 1825 – June 1, 1902) was an American lawyer and politician, from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as Attorney General of Delaware and two terms as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

John B. Penington
The San Francisco Call (December 13, 1898)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district
In office March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	Charles B. Lore
Succeeded by	John W. Causey
Attorney General of Delaware
In office 1874–1879
Governor	James Ponder John P. Cochran
Preceded by	Charles B. Lore
Succeeded by	George Gray
Personal details
Born	(1825-12-20)December 20, 1825 New Castle, Delaware, U.S.
Died	June 1, 1902(1902-06-01) (aged 76) Dover, Delaware, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Jefferson College
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and family

Penington was born near New Castle, Delaware, and pursued academic courses in New Castle and nearby Newark. He graduated from Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He engaged in teaching in Indiana for several years, but then returned to Delaware. There he studied law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1857, and commenced the practice in Dover, Delaware.

Professional and political career

He was first a member of the Delaware House of Representatives in 1857 and then was clerk of the same Delaware House of Representatives in 1859, 1863, and 1871. He was a delegate to the renowned Democratic National Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore in the 1860 election. In 1868, he was appointed United States Attorney for the district of Delaware by President Andrew Johnson and served until 1872. He was appointed Delaware Attorney General by Governor Ponder in 1874 and served until 1879. Penington was elected as a Democrat to the 50th and 51st Congress, serving from March 4, 1887, to March 3, 1891. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1890 and resumed the practice of law at Dover.

Death and legacy

Penington died at Dover and is buried there in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.

Penington's last years were darkened by the murders of his daughters Elizabeth and Ida, by poisoned candy. It was sent to their home from San Francisco, California, by Cordelia Botkin (an ex-lover of Elizabeth's husband, John Preston Dunning). The poison was traced back to her, and Penington lived long enough to know the crime would be brought home against the perpetrator.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	Notes
Attorney General	Executive	Dover	1874	1879	Delaware
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1887	March 3, 1889
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	March 4, 1889	March 3, 1891

Delaware General Assembly service
Dates	Assembly	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1857/58	69th	State House	Democratic	Peter F. Causey		Kent at-large

United States congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1887–1889	50th	U.S. House	Democratic	Grover Cleveland		at-large
1889–1891	51st	U.S. House	Republican	Benjamin Harrison		at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1886	U.S. Representative		John B. Penington	Democratic	13,837	62%		Richard W. Cooper	Republican	8,392	38%
1888	U.S. Representative		John B. Penington	Democratic	16,396	55%		Charles H. Treat	Republican	12,935	44%

References

• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• A Cross Country Murder

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.