Governor Simeon Selby Pennewill

SIMEON SELBY PENNEWILL, Delaware’s 45th governor, was born near Greenwood, Delaware, on July 23, 1867. He attended the public school system in Greenwood and the Wilmington Academy. Before entering politics, Pennewill became a successful businessman with extensive investment holdings.The first political office he held was in the Delaware State Senate, where he served from 1899 to 1907. He next won the 1908 Republican gubernatorial nomination and was elected governor of Delaware. He was sworn into office on January 19, 1909. During his tenure, he advocated for efficiency and economy in his administration, and he operated within a balance budget by controlling government expenditures. Pennewill left office on January 21, 1913, and retired from public service, though he continued to stay active in his various business investments. Governor Simeon S. Pennewill died on September 10, 1935, and is buried at the Bridgeville Methodist Cemetery in Bridgeville, Delaware.