Charles Polk Jr.
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Charles Polk (1788–1857) was an American farmer and politician from Thompsonville, Delaware in Kent County. He was a member of the Federalist and served twice as Governor of Delaware.
Early Life and Family
Polk was born November 14, 1788 in Bridgeville, Delaware, son of Charles & Mary Polk. He attended Westtown Boarding School in Chester County, Pennsylvania after his father's death in 1795 and studied Law with Kensey Johns, Sr., but never practiced. He married Mary Elizabeth Purnell and they had three children, Charles, William, and Theodore. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Political Career
In 1813 he was elected to the Delaware State House from Sussex County and served two terms until 1817,when he moved to Kent County. He was then imemdiately elected to the Delaware State House from Kent County and served from from 1817 to 1819. He then was elected to the Delaware State Senate. In 1826 the Federalist selected him as their candidate for Governor, and after a hard fought campaign was elected Governor by defeating David Hazzard by 96 votes. He served one term from January 16, 1827 to January 19, 1830. After his term ended he was elected to his old Delaware Senate seat, becoming President Pro Tempore in time to succeed to the Governorship again upon the death of Governor Caleb P. Bennett. He served the remainder of Bennett's term from July 11, 1836 until January 17, 1837. By then the old Federalist Party had completely collapsed and Polk became a Whig.
Death and Legacy
Polk died October 27, 1857 at Dover, Delaware and is buried at the Presbyterian Cemetery (currently the Delaware State Museum) in Dover.
Election Results
References
- . ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
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- Pickett, Russell S. (2005). Delaware's Governors. Retrieved August 7, 2005.
- Kestenbaum, Lawrence (2005). The Political Graveyard. Retrieved August 7, 2005.
- State of Delaware. Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery. Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
