J. Wilmer Cronin

J. Wilmer Cronin (October 14, 1896 – April 28, 1982) was a politician, lawyer and newspaper publisher from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1927 to 1930 and Maryland Senate from 1939 to 1946. He was the owner and publisher of The Harford Democrat.

J. Wilmer Cronin
President of the Board of Commissioners of Aberdeen, Maryland
In office
1955–1956
Preceded byClark D. Connellee
Succeeded byR. Lee Mitchell
In office
1950–1952
Preceded byFrank E. Baker
Succeeded byCharles J. Kelly
Member of the Maryland Senate
In office
1939–1946
Preceded byMary Risteau
Succeeded byHoward S. O'Neill
ConstituencyHarford County
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office
1927–1930
ConstituencyHarford County
Personal details
Born(1896-10-14)October 14, 1896
Aberdeen, Maryland, U.S.
DiedApril 28, 1982(1982-04-28) (aged 85)
Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeChurchville Presbyterian Church
Churchville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary S. Ferrell
​
​
(m. 1918; died 1972)​
Children3
Alma materCharlotte Hill Military Academy
University of Maryland School of Law
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer
  • newspaperman

Early life

J. Wilmer Cronin was born on October 14, 1896, in Aberdeen, Maryland. He graduated from the first class of Aberdeen High School and graduated from the Charlotte Hill Military Academy. He took a job at First National Bank of Aberdeen. Cronin attended night classes at University of Maryland School of Law and graduated in 1919. He was admitted to the bar in 1919.[1][2]

Career

In 1919, Cronin and a partner bought The Harford Democrat and a few years later he bought out his partner. The paper would later be renamed The Harford Democrat and Aberdeen Enterprise.[1] He worked as owner and publisher of The Harford Democrat for over 60 years.[1]

Cronin was a Democrat. Cronin served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1927 to 1930.[3] Cronin served as a member of the Maryland Senate from 1939 to 1946.[4] While in the senate, he served as president of the Young Democrats of Maryland.[1] He was a member of Harford County's Democratic State Central Committee.[1]

Cronin served as town commissioner of Aberdeen. He served as president of the board of commissioners of Aberdeen from 1950 to 1952 and 1955 to 1956.[1][5] He served as counsel to the town board of commissioners for over 20 years. He served as counsel to Harford County's board of commissioners and counsel for Harford County's planning commission for 15 years.[1] In 1951, Cronin was president of the Harford County Bar Association.[6]

Cronin was a charter member and president of the Aberdeen Lions Club.[1] He also served as chairman of Harford County's Community Chest-Red Cross United Appeal.[1]

Personal life

Cronin married Mary S. Ferrell in 1918. They had two daughters and a son, Mary, Anne and William R. His wife died in 1972.[1][7]

Grave of Cronin and his wife in Churchville Presbyterian Church cemetery

Cronin died on April 28, 1982, at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, Maryland.[1] He was buried at Churchville Presbyterian Church.[8]

Legacy

In 1980, Cronin was the first recipient of Harford County Council's "Living Treasure of Harford County Award".[1]

References
  1. "J. Wilmer Cronin Dies at 86". The Baltimore Sun. April 30, 1982. p. C12. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  2. Maryland Manual, 1943-44. August 1, 2018. p. 138. Retrieved December 1, 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  3. "Historical List, House of Delegates, Harford County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 30, 1999. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. "Historical List, Senate, Harford County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 30, 1999. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  5. "HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 11, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  6. "Past Presidents". harcobar.org. 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  7. "Mrs. J. Cronin Civic Leader in Harford and Maryland". The Evening Sun. December 15, 1972. p. 19. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  8. "Cronin". The Evening Sun. April 29, 1982. p. E2. Retrieved December 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.open access
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