Charles C. Stockley

Charles C. Stockley
45th Governor of Delaware
In office January 16, 1883 – January 18, 1887
Preceded by	John W. Hall
Succeeded by	Benjamin T. Biggs
Member of the Delaware Senate
In office January 6, 1873 – January 6, 1877
Personal details
Born	(1819-11-06)November 6, 1819 Georgetown, Delaware, U.S.
Died	April 20, 1901(1901-04-20) (aged 81) Georgetown, Delaware, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ellen Anderson
Signature

Charles Clark Stockley (November 6, 1819 – April 20, 1901) was an American politician from Georgetown in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Stockley was born near Georgetown, Delaware, son of Jehu and Hannah Rodney Kollock Stockley. Returning from school in Philadelphia in 1839, he taught school for seven years and then opened a general store in Millsboro, Delaware. His primary occupation was farming the extensive real estate he owned. Eventually he became one of the major peach growers in eastern Sussex County. Stockley married Ellen Anderson in 1859, and they had one child, Hannah. They lived on Cedar Lane (State Rd 318) southeast of Georgetown, near the present-day airport, and were members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Professional and political career

Stockley served as Sussex County Treasurer before becoming Sussex County Sheriff in 1856. He was later elected to the state senate, where he served in the 1873/74 and 1875/76 sessions. During the latter session, he held the position of Speaker. Nearly eight years later the Democrats recruited him as their candidate for governor. After defeating Albert Curry of Greenwood, the Republican candidate, he served as governor from January 16, 1883 until January 18, 1887.

The majority Democratic Party still described itself as, “the White Man’s Party”, and still promoted thinking that could criticize African American voting rights, as an “insane policy of investing an ignorant and inferior race with the sacred rights of the ballot.” Nevertheless, now twenty years after the Civil War, the first stirrings of tolerance were heard. Stockley, on his retirement, noted that “Our colored citizens are improving their advantages by laudable efforts to acquire homes for themselves and education for their children. The prejudice against their enfranchisement is fast disappearing, and I trust will soon pass away forever."

Death and legacy

Stockley died at his home and is buried in the St. Paul's Episcopal Churchyard at Georgetown.

The Stockely Center, a facility of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is named in his honor because of his early advocacy of services for the "feebly-minded."

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate Majority	Speaker		House Majority	Speaker
1883–1884	82nd		Democratic	Samuel B. Cooper		Democratic	George H. Bates
1885–1886	83rd		Democratic	Alexander B. Cooper		Democratic	William A. Comegys

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State senators have a four-year term. The governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four-year term.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	January 6, 1873	January 6, 1877	Speaker
Governor	Executive	Dover	January 16, 1883	January 18, 1887

Delaware General Assembly service
Dates	Assembly	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1873–1874	77th	State Senator	Democratic	James Ponder		Sussex at-large
1875–1876	78th	State Senator	Democratic	John P. Cochran	Speaker	Sussex at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1882	Governor		Charles C. Stockley	Democratic	16,558	53%		Albert Curry	Republican	14,620	47%

References

• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. 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 C. Stockley at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

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