George T. Cromwell
MSA SC 3520-12712
Biography:
George T. Cromwell was born on October 23, 1892 on his family's Ferndale farm.1 He was one of three sons born to Basil S.and Leonora Downs Cromwell. His brothers were Basil S., Jr. and Emory L. He attended public elementary schools in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City, as well as Deichman Preparatory School, Sadler's Bryant Business College, and the University of Maryland School of Law. He married Pauline M. Flayhart on April 18, 1923, and together they had a son, George T. Cromwell, Jr.2,3
His political career began in 1923 when he was elected as the representative for the Fifth District on the Board of County Commissioners. He later served as president of the Board. In 1927 he was elected to the State Senate and in 1930 served in the Special Session of the State Senate. After a short time with the state, Cromwell returned to county government when he was elected Register of Wills for Anne Arundel County in 1930. Four years later he was appointed to the Board of Education. In that same year he was the Democratic candidate for Clerk of the Court.4 He ran an unsuccessful campaign against Republican Frank A. Munroe, although it was a close race.5 In 1935 Cromwell became the Chief Supervisor of Assessments and in 1945 he was the Collector of Customs at the Baltimore port. His aspiration to become Clerk of the Court was achieved in 1955 when he was appointed to that position after the retirement of John H. Hopkins, III. In 1958 he was elected to the office and served until his death in 1962. He died on July 21 of that year at University Hospital in Baltimore, falling victim to a heart attack.6 He left his estate to his wife and son and established a trust fund for them.7 He was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Anne Arundel County.8
Political Highlights -
1923, seat on Board of County Commissioners - representative for the Fifth District; served as president of the Board
1927, State Senator
1930, Register of Wills
1934, appointed to the Board of Education
1934, Democratic candidate for Clerk of the Court of Anne Arundel County - unsuccessful bid versus Frank A. Munroe in a very close election
1935, Chief Supervisor of Assessments
1945, Collector of Customs at Port of Baltimore
1955, Clerk of the Court - appointed after the retirement of John H. Hopkins III; elected to the office in 1958
Return to George T. Cromwell's Introductory Page
Return to list of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Clerks
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