J. Caleb Boggs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
J. Caleb Boggs
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Boggs in February 1947
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| United States Senator from Delaware |
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| In office January 3, 1961 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | J. Allen Frear Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Joe Biden |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office June 25, 1959 – June 26, 1960 |
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| Preceded by | LeRoy Collins |
| Succeeded by | Stephen McNichols |
| 62nd Governor of Delaware | |
| In office January 20, 1953 – December 30, 1960 |
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| Lieutenant | John W. Rollins David P. Buckson |
| Preceded by | Elbert N. Carvel |
| Succeeded by | David P. Buckson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large district |
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| In office January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1953 |
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| Preceded by | Philip A. Traynor |
| Succeeded by | Herbert B. Warburton |
| Associate Judge of the New Castle County Family Court | |
| In office November 9, 1942 – January 3, 1947 |
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| Preceded by | Billy Bickson |
| Succeeded by | Johnathan Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Caleb Boggs
May 15, 1909 Cheswold, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | March 26, 1993 (aged 83) Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Muir |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Delaware (BA) Georgetown University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 6th Armored Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Campaign Stars (5) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Croix de Guerre |
James Caleb Boggs (born May 15, 1909 – died March 26, 1993) was an American lawyer and politician. He was from Claymont, Delaware. People usually called him Caleb, or even Cale. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Caleb Boggs was a veteran of World War II. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Delaware for three terms. He was also the Governor of Delaware for two terms. Later, he served as a U.S. Senator from Delaware for two terms. In 1972, he ran for re-election but lost to Joe Biden, who later became a US President.
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Early Life and Education
Caleb Boggs was born on May 15, 1909, in Cheswold, Delaware. His parents were Edgar Jefferson and Lettie Vaughn Boggs. He married Elizabeth Muir. They had two children, Cale, Jr. and Marilu. The family belonged to the Methodist Church.
He studied at the University of Delaware, graduating in 1931. He then went to Georgetown Law School and finished in 1937.
Military Service in World War II
In 1938, Caleb Boggs became a lawyer in Dover, Delaware. When World War II began, he joined the U.S. Army. He served with the 6th Armored Division. This division fought in important battles in Europe. These included Normandy, the Rhineland, the Ardennes, and central Europe.
For his bravery and service, he received several awards. He earned five Campaign Stars. He also received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal. France honored him with the Croix de Guerre with palm.
Political Career
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
After his military service, Boggs was appointed as a judge. He became an Associate Judge of the Family Court of New Castle County in 1946. Later that year, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated the current Democratic Representative, Philip A. Traynor.
He won re-election two more times. He served in the U.S. House from January 3, 1947, to January 3, 1953.
Governor of Delaware
In 1952, Caleb Boggs was elected Governor of Delaware. He won against the Democratic Governor, Elbert N. Carvel. He was elected for a second term in 1956.
He served as governor from January 20, 1953, until December 30, 1960. He resigned early because he was about to start his term as a U.S. Senator. As governor, he signed an important bill on April 2, 1958. This bill changed how serious crimes were punished in Delaware.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
Caleb Boggs was elected to the United States Senate in 1960. He won by a small number of votes against the Democratic Senator, J. Allen Frear Jr.. He was the only Republican to defeat a Democratic Senator that year.
He was elected again in 1966. He served two terms as a U.S. Senator, from January 3, 1961, to January 3, 1973. During his time in the Senate, he voted for important laws. These included the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He also supported the 24th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He voted to confirm Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 1972, Boggs ran for a third term as Senator. However, he lost to Joe Biden. At that time, Joe Biden was a councilman in New Castle County, Delaware. Boggs was not eager to run that year. Biden ran an energetic campaign. He won by a small margin.
Death and Legacy
Caleb Boggs passed away in Wilmington, Delaware. He is buried in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery in Dover. This cemetery is on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.
A building in Wilmington is named after him. It is called the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building.
