Joseph L. Cahall

Cahall was born in Bridgeville, Delaware, around 1860.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134977095/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 29, 1937|page=6|title=Joseph L. Cahall Claimed By Death}} {{Open access}} His father was a physician while his mother was a daughter of state governor William Cannon. He was educated in Bridgeville before moving to Dover, where he attended Wilmington Conference Academy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/smyrna-times/134977244/|newspaper=Smyrna Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 18, 1905|page=5|title=Cahall Now Secretary Of State}} {{Open access}} He for a time co-operated in Elkton a shoe dealing firm by the name of Cahall & Davis, before selling his share in 1883.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134977762/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 29, 1883|page=1|title=The Peninsula}} {{Open access}} After his graduation from the Conference Academy, he entered the University of Pennsylvania and began attending their law school.

Following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Cahall began practicing law in Philadelphia before moving to Georgetown, Delaware, in 1889. He partnered with Charles Moore, the son of former Delaware attorney general Jacob Moore, but later separated in 1898 and practiced alone.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134981830/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 14, 1898|page=2|title=Georgetown Gleanings}} {{Open access}} Cahall was elected a clerk of the Sussex County Levy Court{{efn|The Levy Court was the governing body of the county at the time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.capegazette.com/article/fascinating-tidbits-history-sussex/273494|newspaper=Cape Gazette|title=Fascinating tidbits of history in Sussex|date=April 12, 2024|author=MacArthur, Ron}}}} in 1890 and later became a counsel and elected attorney, serving with the court until at least 1900.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134978497/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 19, 1890|page=3|title=Sussex's Deficit}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134981761/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 5, 1898|page=2|title=Events In The State}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/134981895/|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 7, 1898|page=12|title=Democrats Scheme To Get Council}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/smyrna-times/134981997/|newspaper=Smyrna Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 21, 1900|page=2|title=News Of The Peninsula}} {{Open access}} He joined the Sussex County bar as well and was made secretary in 1892.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news-hon-willard-saulsbury/31510938/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 11, 1892|page=3|title=Chancellor Saulsberry}} {{Open access}} He also served that year as a clerk of the county Board of Canvass, which determined the winners of local elections.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134978857/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 11, 1892|page=1|title=The Official Returns}} {{Open access}}

Cahall was a member of the Republican Party and was part of the "Union Republican" or "Addicks"{{efn|name=Addicks|There was at the time a division between the state's Republican party over supporters of Henry A. du Pont for the United States Senate, who were known as "Regular Republicans," and those who supported J. Edward Addicks, who were known as "Union Republicans."}} faction. He was a nominee for the Delaware Constitutional Convention of 1896–97 from the Union Republican side.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134980753/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 5, 1896|page=3|title=Convention Of Addicksites}} {{Open access}} He was active in the Addicks Republican politics and presided over some of their meetings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134983352/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 21, 1902|page=3|title=News Of The State}} {{Open access}} In 1901, he was proposed by the "Regular Republican" faction as a candidate they would support for the United States Senate, but he "made a vigorous speech against any such arrangement."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134983770/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 10, 1902|page=1|title=Union Men Reply}} {{Open access}} He instead became the chairman of the Addicks Republican committee of Sussex County.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/134982686/|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 11, 1901|page=9|title=New Addicks Man Chosen}} {{Open access}} As a result of the "Union Republican" and "Regular Republican" factions being unable to agree upon a candidate for Senate, both of Delaware's seats remained vacant for two years.{{Cite magazine|url=https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/first-state-history-the-addicks-affair/|newspaper=Delaware Today|title=First State History: The Addicks Affair|date=September 1, 2015|author=Dixon, Mark E.}}

In 1904, he and Hiram R. Burton were considered the top two candidates for the Republican nomination for the United States House of Representatives.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134984954/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 25, 1904|page=6|title=The Republican Situation}} {{Open access}} Cahall had the backing of Secretary of State of Delaware Caleb R. Layton as well as several other influential party members, but opted to nominate Burton for the position, who went on to win the election. Although a Union Republican, he was described as "not altogether an Addicks man" and was also well-liked by the Regular Republicans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/134986050/|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 16, 1905|page=10|title=Bomb In Addicks' Camp}} {{Open access}} He worked to bring unity between the two sides and was named chairman of a joint committee established by the factions.

In January 1905, Cahall was appointed by newly-elected governor Preston Lea to be the Secretary of State of Delaware, succeeding Layton.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/134986505/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 14, 1905|page=1|title=Joseph L. Cahall Named As Secretary Of State By Governor-Elect Lea}} {{Open access}} His role earned him annually from $12,000 to $15,000 and the Smyrna Times noted that "The selection of Mr. Cahall for the office of secretary of state is a distinct victory for the Union Republicans beaded by Senator Simeon S. Pennewill, Representative A. R. Benson and Representative John Vandenburg, who have been working unceasingly in behalf of Mr. Cahall." The Morning News of Wilmington said that his appointment "gives great satisfaction here. Many Republicans have expressed themselves as being pleased with the selection."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134986290/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 16, 1905|page=1|title=Pleased With Appointment}} {{Open access}}

At the end of his first year in office, Cahall was part of a dispute with Layton over the role of county Union Republican chairman; differing views between them, as well as the belief of some that Cahall was too busy in Secretary of State duties to chair the faction effectively, led to him being ousted as chairman in January 1906, although rather than Layton succeeding him, John W. Bennett was elected to the position as a compromise.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134987031/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 27, 1905|page=4|title=The Republican Fight Is On}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/smyrna-times/134987060/|newspaper=Smyrna Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 24, 1906|page=1|title=Harmony For Sussex Republicans}} {{Open access}} After having served as Secretary of State for four years, Cahall retired and was succeeded by Daniel O. Hastings in January 1909.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/134988167/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 29, 1908|page=1|title=State Officials Soon To Retire}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134988575/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 20, 1909|page=12|title=Many Present At Inaugural}} {{Open access}}

After his time in office, Cahall returned home in Georgetown and continued his practice of law.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134988394/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 22, 1909|page=4|title=J. L. Cahall Returns Home}} {{Open access}} He continued his role as an attorney for the Sussex County Levy Court.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/135004361/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 3, 1911|page=3|title=Busy Sessions For Lawmakers}} {{Open access}} In October 1909, he was appointed by governor Simeon S. Pennewill to be a member of the State Revenue and Taxation Commission.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/134988630/|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 2, 1909|page=4|title=Sussex County Snapshots}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/134988847/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1909|page=8|title=Resigned From Tax Board}} {{Open access}} In August 1910, he was one of three appointed by Pennewill to be delegates at the Fourth International Conference on State & Local Taxation held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134988772/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 20, 1910|page=8|title=Tax Conference Delegates}} {{Open access}} Cahall announced in December 1911 that he was running for the United States House of Representatives to succeed William H. Heald.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/smyrna-times/135004170/|newspaper=Smyrna Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 20, 1911|page=1|title=Cahall Out For Congress}} {{Open access}} He ultimately endorsed George H. Hall for the position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/135004865/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 21, 1912|page=2|title=Charles R. Miller for Governor and George H. Hall for Congress to Head Winning Republican Ticket}} {{Open access}} He was again considered a candidate for Congress in 1924 but did not win his party's nomination.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/135005718/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 26, 1924|page=19|title=Sussex Selects Grier For Congress}} {{Open access}} Cahall continued practicing law until his death in 1937; by that time, he was the oldest member of the Sussex County bar in age and had the third-longest length of service.

Cahall married Elanora Richardson Powell, of Onancock, Virginia, in April 1900.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/134982073/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 16, 1900|page=2|title=Social And Personal Notes}} {{Open access}} They had no children. He was a freemason and member of several masonic groups; he was a High Priest of the local chapter of the Royal Arch Masons and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Delaware, for which he served several roles, including as a warden, a member of its foreign correspondence committee, and its Grand Master.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-gazette-and-state-journal/134979739/|newspaper=Delaware Gazette and State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 18, 1893|page=5|title=Royal Arch Masons}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-gazette-and-state-journal/134978602/|newspaper=Delaware Gazette and State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 9, 1890|page=1|title=A. F. A. M.}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-gazette-and-state-journal/134979541/|newspaper=Delaware Gazette and State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 19, 1893|page=3|title=Masonic Appointments}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/134980393/|newspaper=Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1895|page=1|title=Masonic Officers}} {{Open access}} He also was a member of Hope Chapter No. 7, Lulu Temple, St. John's Commandery No. 1, and the Frank in Lodge in Georgetown.

In 1893, Cahall assisted in establishing the Sussex Trust Company and later directed the bank. At various points he had positions as director of the Farmers Bank, founding member of the Wilmington Continental American Life Insurance Company, officer of the Georgetown Junior Order of United American Mechanics,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/middletown-transcript/134979454/|newspaper=Middletown Transcript|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 30, 1893|page=4|title=More Juniors}} {{Open access}} third vice president of the Delaware Automobile Association,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-journal/134988920/|newspaper=The Evening Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 11, 1910|page=2|title=Autoists Favor State Highway}} {{Open access}} and member of the Sussex County School Commission.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/135006718/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 29, 1937|page=8|title=Joseph L. Cahall}} {{Open access}} He was one of three civic delegates from his county to the Pan-American Exposition in 1901 and worked with former Delaware Supreme Court justice and historian Henry C. Conrad at the Institute of Social and Religious Research in 1924.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/delaware-gazette-and-state-journal/134982550/|newspaper=Delaware Gazette and State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 9, 1901|page=1|title=Civic Delegates To Buffalo}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/135005956/|newspaper=The Evening Sun|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 12, 1924|page=3|title=For Historical Study Of Georgetown, Del}} {{Open access}}

Cahall died on June 28, 1937, at the age of 77 at his home in Georgetown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/102209879|via=ProQuest|newspaper=The New York Times|title=Joseph L. Cahall|date=June 29, 1937|page=21|id={{ProQuest|102209879}} }} The Journal-Every Evening described his life: "The death of Joseph L. Cahall of Georgetown removes from the scene of activity an estimable citizen of Delaware who had devoted his long life to worth while pursuits. Mr. Cahall was a lawyer of marked ability. He had a keen mind, and his judgment was excellent. He was interested in the well being of his state and its people ... He was an ardent member of the Republican party, and was a factor in the part it played in the public affairs of his native Sussex County, as well as the state. He seldom sought political preferment. He seemed to be more interested in creditable results from political efforts wisely directed. Mr. Cahall also interested himself in the civic affairs of his immediate community. He was a helpful influence in furthering worth while projects for the public good, and was esteemed by all who knew him."

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Category:19th-century births

Category:1937 deaths

Category:Delaware lawyers

Category:Secretaries of state of Delaware

Category:People from Bridgeville, Delaware

Category:Wesley College (Delaware) alumni

Category:University of Pennsylvania Law School alumni