J. Edward Addicks
| J. Edward Addicks | |
|---|---|
J. Edward Addicks, circa 1899.
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| Born |
John Edward Charles O'Sullivan Addicks November 21, 1841 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 7, 1919 (aged 77) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Residence | "Miraflores", Myrtle Avenue, Claymont, Delaware |
| Known for | trying to buy a Senate seat in Delaware |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | Florence Addicks (1866-1942) |
| Parent(s) | John Edward Charles O'Sullivan Addicks Margaretta McLeod Turner |
John Edward Charles O'Sullivan Addicks (November 21, 1841 – August 7, 1919) was an industrialist and capitalist who used his wealth from financing and building gas works to wage four unsuccessful campaigns for a United States Senate seat in Delaware. His struggle with Henry A. du Pont for control of the state government led to Delaware having both of its Senate seats vacant for a time and was one of the factors which led to election reform and the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1913.
Addicks was born November 21, 1841 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John E. C. O'Sullivan and Margretta McLeod (Turner) Addicks. He graduated from Philadelphia public schools at age 15 and entered business, first in wholesale dry goods, then in flour, and later in real estate. Addicks married Laura Butcher in 1864, with whom he had a daughter, Florence. After the death of his first wife, he married her sister Rosalie; they subsequently divorced. Addicks moved to Claymont, Delaware in 1877, where he would eventually marry Ida Carr Wilson in 1898.
Shortly after moving to Delaware, Addicks became involved with the natural gas business, then in its infancy. He built gas works in Jersey City, and in 1882 he was instrumental in organizing the Chicago Gas Trust. Addicks formed the Bay State Gas Company in Boston in 1884, and subsequently consolidated the Boston, Roxbury, and South Boston Gas companies into one trust in 1889. Although he never officially relocated to Boston, in 1892 he was paid an annual salary of US$25,000 by the Boston Gas Syndicate. In 1892, he purchased a controlling interest in the Brooklyn Gas Company, and was elected its president. Addicks' success at forming gas monopolies earned him the nicknames "Gas Addicks" and the "Napoleon of Gas".
He was a candidate in 1895 for the United States senatorship for Delaware, and, although he himself failed of election, was able to prevent that of his rival, Henry A. du Pont. The ex-speaker of the State House, having become governor through the death of Governor Marvil, was permitted to cast a ballot in the legislative convention, and an opportunity was thus obtained for contesting the election of Du Pont, whom the Democrats and Populists refused to seat.
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