85th Delaware General Assembly

Governor Benjamin T. Biggs
85th General Assembly
In office January 1, 1889 – January 6, 1891
Preceded by	84th Assembly
Succeeded by	86th Assembly

The 85th Delaware General Assembly was a meeting of the legislative branch of the state government, consisting of the Delaware Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives. Elections were held the first Tuesday after November 1 and terms began in Dover on the first Tuesday in January. This date was January 1, 1889, which was two weeks before the beginning of the third administrative year of Governor Benjamin T. Biggs.

Currently the distribution of the Senate Assembly seats was made to three senators for each of the three counties. Likewise the current distribution of the House Assembly seats was made to seven representatives for each of the three counties. The actual population changes of the county did not directly affect the number of senators or representatives at this time.

In the 85th Delaware General Assembly session the Senate had a Democratic majority and the House had a Republican majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Beniah L. Lewis, Kent County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• John H. Hoffecker, Kent County, Republican

Members

Senate

Senators were normally elected by the public for a four-year term; although many were selected to fill the remainder of a vacant position.

New Castle County Calvin W. Crossan John P. Donahoe Colen Ferguson

Kent County John E. Collins Beniah L. Lewis Alden B. Richardson

Sussex County Thomas Bacon John B. Dorman David O. Moore

House of Representatives

Representatives were elected by the public for a two-year term.

New Castle County Theodore F. Armstrong William P. Biggs Richard C. Brockson George W. Eccles George W. Gray George Lodge J. Harvey Whiteman

Kent County David S. Clark Robert A. Davis William R. Davis John H. Hoffecker George L. Haynson John P. Maston James Richardson

Sussex County McKendree Downham John A. Lingo Charles H. Maull Henry H. Morgan Charles H. Sackett David Short Lewis E. Wallace

References

• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

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