James U. Dennis

James Upshur Dennis
Member of the Maryland Senate
In office
1876–1880
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office
1860–1861
In office
1840
Personal details
Born(1823-09-11)September 11, 1823
Worcester County, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJune 22, 1900(1900-06-22) (aged 76)
Princess Anne, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Andrew's Cemetery
Princess Anne, Maryland, U.S.
Spouses
Cecilia B. Hooe
​
​
(m. 1846; died 1861)​
Mary Wilson Teackle
​
(m. 1863)​
Children4
RelativesGeorge R. Dennis (brother)
Samuel K. Dennis (half-brother)
Alma materPrinceton University
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

James Upshur Dennis (September 11, 1823 – June 22, 1900) was an American politician and lawyer. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate.

Early life

James Upshur Dennis was born on September 11, 1823, at Beverly on the Pocomoke River in Worcester County, Maryland to Maria (née Robertson) and John Upshur Dennis. He graduated from Princeton University in 1842. Dennis studied law with William W. Handy of Princess Anne and was admitted to the bar in 1845.[1][2]

Career

Dennis was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Worcester County in 1840.[3][4] Dennis moved to Princess Anne in 1850. He was elected as state's attorney for Somerset County in 1855, serving for four years. In 1859, he was elected again to the House of Delegates, representing Somerset County from 1860 to 1861. He was elected to the Maryland Constitutional Conventions of 1851 and 1864. In 1876, Dennis was elected to the Maryland Senate, representing Somerset County from 1876 to 1880.[1][4][5][6]

In 1868, Dennis created a law practice with Robert Franklin Brattan. He remained in that partnership until 1894.[1]

Personal life

Dennis married Cecilia B. Hooe of Alexandria, Virginia in 1846. They had three daughters: Mrs. Robert F. Brattan, Mrs. Rufus W. Dashiell and Maria R. His wife died in 1861. Dennis married Mary Wilson Teackle of Baltimore in 1863. They had one son, James Teackle.[1][2] His brother was U.S. Senator George R. Dennis.[2] His half-brother was Samuel K. Dennis.[7]

Dennis died at his home in Princess Anne on June 22, 1900, following a fall the week prior. He was buried at St. Andrew's Cemetery in St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Princess Anne.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "James Upshur Dennis". The Baltimore Sun. June 23, 1900. p. 8. Retrieved August 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  2. ^ a b c Maryland Historical Magazine, Summer 1926. 1926. p. 157.
  3. ^ "House of Delegates, Worcester County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. June 27, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "James U. Dennis (1823-)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "House of Delegates, Somerset County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "Senate, Somerset County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 30, 1999. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Maryland Items". Smyrna Times. May 18, 1892. p. 2. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon