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Methodist Politicians in West Virginia, R-Z


  Byron Benedum Randolph (b. 1906) — also known as Byron B. Randolph — of Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va. Born in Burnsville, Braxton County, W.Va., June 12, 1906. Son of Ormon F. Randolph and Ella (Benedum) Randolph. Democrat. Lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Harrison County, 1931-34; member of West Virginia state senate, 1935-42 (12th District 1935-38, 13th District 1939-42); defeated, 1942. Southern Methodist. Member, Delta Sigma Rho; Phi Delta Phi; Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, September 16, 1933, to Cathryn E. Thompson.
  A. L. Reed (b. 1898) — of Newburg, Preston County, W.Va. Born in Fellowsville, Preston County, W.Va., October 6, 1898. Son of J. Q. Reed and Virginia (Ridgeway) Reed. Republican. Automobile dealer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Preston County, 1941-44; member of West Virginia state senate 15th District, 1945-60. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Knights of Pythias; Rotary. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 15, 1919, to Madge Marie Morrow.
  Edward Ray Reed (b. 1891) — also known as E. Ray Reed — of Clay, Clay County, W.Va. Born in Clay, Clay County, W.Va., March 15, 1891. Son of James Reed and Carrie (Wheeler) Reed. Republican. Banker; coal business; oil and gas operator; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Clay County, 1933-36; defeated, 1936; member of West Virginia state senate 4th District, 1941-44, 1951-54; candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from West Virginia 3rd District, 1946; candidate for West Virginia state auditor, 1956; member of West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee, 1967. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married 1917 to Lula R. Wilson.
  Stanley J. Rexrode (b. 1883) — of Marlinton, Pocahontas County, W.Va. Born in New Hampden, Highland County, Va., August 5, 1883. Republican. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Pocahontas County; elected 1934. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Woodmen; Junior Order. Burial location unknown.
  Edward Bunker Reynolds (b. 1873) — also known as E. Bunker Reynolds — of Keyser, Mineral County, W.Va. Born in Keyser, Mineral County, W.Va., July 18, 1873. Son of F. M. Reynolds and Belle Rodgers (Hennen) Reynolds. Republican. Lawyer; fruit grower; member of West Virginia state senate 14th District, 1923-38. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Knights of Pythias; Rotary. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, December 19, 1918, to Mary Warden Russell.
  Ray E. Ritchie (b. 1890) — of Ravenswood, Jackson County, W.Va. Born July 30, 1890. Son of A. C. Ritchie and Laura V. Ritchie. Republican. Contractor; banker; member of West Virginia state senate 4th District, 1935-36. Methodist. Member, Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, May 8, 1911, to Pearl Huey.
  Sidney Hampton Robertson (b. 1877) — also known as Sidney H. Robertson; Sid Robertson — of Clendenin, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Kettle, Roane County, W.Va., July 3, 1877. Son of George W. Robertson and Delilah E. (Melton) Robertson. Democrat. Banker; merchant; oil and gas business; member of West Virginia state senate 8th District, 1937-42; appointed 1937; defeated, 1942. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, December 26, 1900, to Gladys M. Grubb.
  Ira Ellsworth Robinson (1869-1951) — also known as Ira E. Robinson — of Grafton, Taylor County, W.Va. Born near Grafton, Taylor County, W.Va., September 16, 1869. Son of William Robinson and Mary (Sayre) Robinson. Republican. Lawyer; Taylor County Prosecuting Attorney, 1896-1900; member of West Virginia state senate 11th District, 1903-04; judge of West Virginia supreme court of appeals, 1907-15; resigned 1915. Methodist. Died October 28, 1951 (age 82 years, 42 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, October 25, 1892, to Ada Sinsel.
  Perce J. Ross (b. 1905) — of Buckhannon, Upshur County, W.Va. Born in Selbyville, Upshur County, W.Va., October 16, 1905. Son of Samuel Ross and Lillie Florence (Crites) Ross. Republican. Clothing merchant; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Upshur County, 1939-46. Methodist. Member, Kappa Alpha Order; Lions. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, October 20, 1940, to Ruth Henry.
  David L. Salisbury (b. 1889) — of Dunbar, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Enoch, Clay County, W.Va., October 7, 1889. Republican. Lawyer; newspaper publisher; member of West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee, 1936-44; candidate for U.S. Representative from West Virginia 6th District, 1948. Methodist. Member, Lions. Burial location unknown.
  James Burr Saville (1891-1972) — also known as J. Burr Saville — of Romney, Hampshire County, W.Va. Born in Augusta, Hampshire County, W.Va., March 21, 1891. Democrat. Automobile dealer; auctioneer; sheriff; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Hampshire County, 1935-36; member of West Virginia Democratic State Executive Committee, 1945-49; chair of Hampshire County Democratic Party, 1945. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Moose; Junior Order. Died in April, 1972 (age 81 years, 0 days). Burial location unknown.
  Bradford Sayre (b. 1912) — also known as Brad Sayre — of Ripley, Jackson County, W.Va.; Gay, Jackson County, W.Va. Born in Cottageville, Jackson County, W.Va., January 3, 1912. Son of Hugh J. Sayre and Lillie (Shinn) Sayre. Republican. Farmer; garage business; oil field worker; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Jackson County, 1945-50; candidate for West Virginia state auditor, 1952; member of West Virginia state senate 4th District, 1955-57, 1969-72; resigned 1957. Methodist. Member, Moose; Odd Fellows. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 17, 1952, to Blondis Neely.
  Lloyd E. Sayres (1907-1992) — of Grafton, Taylor County, W.Va. Born in Taylor County, W.Va., December 19, 1907. Republican. School teacher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Taylor County, 1957-58; defeated, 1958. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; National Education Association. Died January 21, 1992 (age 84 years, 33 days). Burial location unknown.
  Fred H. Scanes, Jr. (1906-1974) — of Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va. Born in Salem, Harrison County, W.Va., March 10, 1906. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Harrison County, 1949-56. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Elks; Odd Fellows; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Died in 1974 (age about 68 years). Burial location unknown.
  Owen S. Schaffer (b. 1908) — of Petersburg, Grant County, W.Va. Born in Bayard, Grant County, W.Va., March 31, 1908. Son of G. P. Schaffer and Zella (Duling) Schaffer. Republican. School teacher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Grant County, 1941-45; resigned 1945. Methodist. Member, Phi Delta Theta; Kiwanis; Sphinx. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Herbert Schupbach (1906-1965) — of New Martinsville, Wetzel County, W.Va. Born in New Martinsville, Wetzel County, W.Va., June 27, 1906. Son of George S. Schupbach and Della (Suegard) Schupbach. Democrat. School teacher; automobile salesman; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Wetzel County, 1939-50, 1953-65; defeated, 1950; died in office 1965. Methodist. Member, Moose; Eagles; Jaycees. Died in 1965 (age about 59 years). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, May 15, 1935, to Evelyn V. Morris.
  William R. Sharpe, Jr. (b. 1928) — also known as William R. Sharpe; Bill Sharpe — of Weston, Lewis County, W.Va. Born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va., October 28, 1928. Son of William R. Sharpe and Helen (Whitwam) Sharpe. Democrat. Electrical engineer; electrical contractor; member of West Virginia state senate 13th District, 1961-80, 1985-; delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 2000. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; Eagles; Moose; Odd Fellows; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Still living as of 2000.
  Relatives: Married, July 3, 1953, to Pauline Lester.
  Clement Lawrence Shaver (b. 1867) — also known as Clem L. Shaver — of Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va. Born in Marion County, W.Va., January 22, 1867. Democrat. West Virginia Democratic state chair, 1913-16, 1916-20; Chairman of Democratic National Committee, 1925, 1930; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from West Virginia, 1934. Methodist. Interment at Shaver Family Graveyard, Seven Pines, W.Va.
  Michael Shaw (b. 1943) — of Point Pleasant, Mason County, W.Va. Born in Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va., April 25, 1943. Son of Ralph E. Shaw and Rhoda (Carroll) Shaw. Republican. Lawyer; Mason County Prosecuting Attorney, 1969-72; member of West Virginia state house of delegates; elected 1972; defeated, 1974 (10th District); member of West Virginia state senate 4th District, 1979-82, 1985-88. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Kiwanis. Still living as of 1988.
  Relatives: Married to Irene Cooper.
  William B. Slonaker (b. 1921) — of Capon Bridge, Hampshire County, W.Va. Born in Capon Bridge, Hampshire County, W.Va., November 4, 1921. Democrat. Farmer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Hampshire County, 1959-66. Methodist. Member, Farm Bureau. Still living as of 1966.
  Earl H. Smith (1880-1941) — of Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va. Born March 27, 1880. Son of Clarence L. Smith and Margaret Virginia Smith. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; founder and editor, The Fairmont Times newspaper; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marion County, 1931-32; member of West Virginia state senate, 1933-41 (11th District 1933-38, 14th District 1939-41); died in office 1941. Methodist. Member, American Legion; Elks; Phi Kappa Sigma. Died May 28, 1941 (age 61 years, 62 days). Burial location unknown.
  Jacob David Smith (b. 1870) — also known as Jacob D. Smith — of Hamlin, Lincoln County, W.Va. Born in Scott Town, Lawrence County, Ohio, April 28, 1870. Republican. Lawyer; Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney, 1921-25; member of West Virginia state senate 5th District, 1929-32. Methodist. Member, Odd Fellows; Freemasons; Modern Woodmen of America; Knights of Pythias. Burial location unknown.
  Lyle A. Smith (1904-2001) — of Huntington, Cabell County, W.Va. Born in Lavalette, Wayne County, W.Va., April 6, 1904. Son of Ira J. Smith and Virginia M. (Wilkinson) Smith. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; president, Huntington Auto Supply Company; member of West Virginia state senate 5th District, 1955-70; defeated in primary, 1970; delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1960. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; Moose; American Legion; Forty and Eight; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Died May 24, 2001 (age 97 years, 48 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, July 7, 1929, to Helen Holsomback.
  Ralph W. Smith (b. 1930) — of West Hamlin, Lincoln County, W.Va. Born in West Hamlin, Lincoln County, W.Va., August 8, 1930. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Lincoln County, 1957-58. Methodist. Still living as of 1958.
  Sprigg Smith (1903-1984) — of Sistersville, Tyler County, W.Va. Born in Middlebourne, Tyler County, W.Va., December 18, 1903. Republican. Farmer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Tyler County, 1957-60. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Farm Bureau. Died in 1984 (age about 80 years). Burial location unknown.
  Violet Snedegar — also known as Violet Marie Cox; Mrs. Nunley B. Snedegar — of Elkins, Randolph County, W.Va. Democrat. Member of Democratic National Committee from West Virginia, 1956-60, 1964-68; associate chair of West Virginia Democratic Party, 1969; candidate for Presidential Elector for West Virginia, 1972. Female. Methodist. Member, American Association of University Women; Order of the Eastern Star. Still living as of 1972.
  Albert L. Sommerville, Jr. (b. 1933) — of Webster Springs, Webster County, W.Va. Born in Randolph County, W.Va., September 15, 1933. Son of Albert L. Sommerville and Ruth (Moore) Sommerville. Democrat. Lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates, 1967-70, 1973-77 (Webster County 1967-70, 1973-74, 22nd District 1975-77). Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Phi Alpha Delta. Still living as of 1977.
  Relatives: Married, August 10, 1958, to Barbara Taylor.
  Harley Orrin Staggers (1907-1991) — also known as Harley O. Staggers — of Keyser, Mineral County, W.Va. Born in Keyser, Mineral County, W.Va., August 3, 1907. Son of Jacob Kinsey Staggers and Frances Winona (Cumberledge) Staggers. Democrat. School teacher; athletic coach; Mineral County Sheriff, 1937-41; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; U.S. Representative from West Virginia 2nd District, 1949-81; delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1960, 1972. Methodist. Member, American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; Amvets; Farm Bureau; Moose; Lions; Elks; Knights of Pythias. Died August 20, 1991 (age 84 years, 17 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Son of Jacob Kinsey Staggers and Frances Winona (Cumberledge) Staggers; married, October 4, 1935, to Mary Veronica Casey; father of Harley Orrin Staggers, Jr.. See Staggers family of West Virginia.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier
  Earl H. Stalnaker (1920-2005) — of Elkins, Randolph County, W.Va. Born in Elkins, Randolph County, W.Va., June 22, 1920. Son of James Garfield Stalnaker (1881-1970) and Inez Marie (Duckworth) Stalnaker (1888-1974). Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; X-ray technician; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Randolph County, 1955-58, 1965-74. Methodist. Member, Elks; Moose; American Legion; Forty and Eight. Died May 28, 2005 (age 84 years, 340 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married 1941 to Vetla R. Perry.
  Dayton R. Stemple (b. 1900) — of Philippi, Barbour County, W.Va. Born in Barbour County, W.Va., September 8, 1900. Son of James D. Stemple and Mary C. (Hershman) Stemple. Republican. Farmer; funeral director; lawyer; Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney, 1925-29, 1933-35; member of West Virginia state senate 15th District, 1947-62; candidate for judge of West Virginia supreme court of appeals, 1956, 1960; circuit judge in West Virginia for the 19th Judicial Circuit, 1963. Methodist. Member, Kiwanis; Farm Bureau; Elks. Interment at Cross Roads Cemetery, Barbour County, W.Va.
  Relatives: Married, August 30, 1922, to Ethel Virginia Park.
  Andrew Jackson Stewart (1872-1945) — of Bluefield, Mercer County, W.Va. Born near Louisa, Lawrence County, Ky., November 26, 1872. Son of Leander Cox Stewart and Ellen Frances (Savage) Stewart. Coal mine superintendent; mayor of Bluefield, W.Va., 1924-28. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Shriners; Kiwanis. Died, from asthma and a heart condition, in Bluefield, Mercer County, W.Va., June 12, 1945 (age 72 years, 198 days). Interment at Monte Vista Park Cemetery, Bluefield, W.Va.
  Presumably named for: Andrew Jackson
  Relatives: Married, October 1, 1896, to Lola Montry Boyd.
  Loutellus M. Stout (b. 1924) — of New Milton, Doddridge County, W.Va. Born in Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va., January 28, 1924. Republican. Farmer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Doddridge County, 1957-60; chair of Doddridge County Republican Party, 1961-62. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Order of the Eastern Star; Farm Bureau. Still living as of 1962.
  Andrew K. Syester (1828-1891) — of Washington County, Md. Born in Berkeley County, Va. (now W.Va.), March 11, 1828. Son of Daniel Syester and Sarah (Moudy) Syester. Member of Maryland state house of delegates, 1854, 1868; delegate to Maryland state constitutional convention, 1867; Maryland state attorney general, 1871-75; circuit judge in Maryland, 1882-89. Methodist. Died in Hagerstown, Washington County, Md., March 25, 1891 (age 63 years, 14 days). Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Hagerstown, Md.
  Relatives: Married to Catharine G. Harry.
  Hoyt H. Taylor (1908-1980) — of Kenna, Jackson County, W.Va. Born in Cicerone, Roane County, W.Va., April 15, 1908. Republican. School teacher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Jackson County, 1957-58. Methodist. Died in June, 1980 (age 72 years, 0 days). Burial location unknown.
  Randall Alford Taylor (b. 1928) — also known as Randall A. Taylor; Doc Taylor — of Point Pleasant, Mason County, W.Va. Born in Huntington, Cabell County, W.Va., October 17, 1928. Son of Thomas H. Taylor and Betty Elizabeth (Roby) Taylor. Democrat. Chiropractor; member of West Virginia state senate 4th District, 1965-68; defeated, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1984. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Odd Fellows. Still living as of 1984.
  Relatives: Married, October 17, 1952, to Reba Jane Ellis.
  Robert H. Tennant (b. 1911) — also known as Bob Tennant — of Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va. Born in Barrackville, Marion County, W.Va., September 2, 1911. Son of Edgar L. Tennant and Musa B. (Conaway) Tennant. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marion County, 1961-63. Methodist. Member, Elks; Moose; American Legion; Izaak Walton League. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, May 15, 1942, to Geraldine Davis.
  W. Guy Tetrick (b. 1883) — of Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va. Born in Enterprise, Harrison County, W.Va., January 3, 1883. Democrat. Newspaper publisher; coal operator; member of West Virginia Democratic State Executive Committee, 1917-53; Presidential Elector for West Virginia, 1932; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Harrison County, 1945-46, 1949-54; candidate for West Virginia state senate 13th District, 1946. Methodist. Member, Elks; Sons of the American Revolution. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married to Virginia Ann Heavner.
  James Kay Thomas (b. 1902) — also known as James K. Thomas — of Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va., February 23, 1902. Son of George E. Thomas and Jean (Kay) Thomas. Democrat. Lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Kanawha County, 1933-42; Speaker of the West Virginia State House of Delegates, 1937-40. Methodist. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; Moose. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 6, 1934, to Julia Lewis Roseberry.
  John L. Thomas (b. 1926) — of Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va., April 25, 1926. Son of Frank Andrew Thomas and Jo (Royer) Thomas. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Kanawha County; elected 1952; defeated, 1954; delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1960; member of West Virginia Republican State Executive Committee, 1967. Methodist. Member, Alpha Tau Omega. Still living as of 1967.
  William L. Thompson (b. 1890) — of Romney, Hampshire County, W.Va. Born in Three Churches, Hampshire County, W.Va., July 10, 1890. Democrat. School teacher and principal; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Hampshire County; elected unopposed 1950; elected 1952. Methodist. Member, Woodmen; Lions. Burial location unknown.
  J. Alex Tinsley (b. 1892) — of Montgomery, Fayette County, W.Va. Born in Ansted, Fayette County, W.Va., August 8, 1892. Democrat. Locomotive engineer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Fayette County; elected 1936, 1938, 1942, 1946, 1952. Methodist. Member, American Legion. Burial location unknown.
  Curtis B. Trent, Jr. (b. 1919) — of Logan, Logan County, W.Va.; Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Monclo, Logan County, W.Va., July 1, 1919. Son of Curtis B. Trent and Ova (Gore) Trent. Democrat. School teacher and principal; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Logan County, 1947-49; resigned 1949; executive assistant to Gov. William Wallace Barron, 1961; parliamentarian of West Virginia Democratic Party, 1964-67. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Kappa Delta Pi; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Civitan. Still living as of 1967.
  Relatives: Married 1936 to Ruth M. Howard.
  George Cleveland Trumbo (b. 1886) — also known as George C. Trumbo — of Milam, Hardy County, W.Va. Born in Fort Seybert, Pendleton County, W.Va., October 9, 1886. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Hardy County, 1943-48. Methodist. Member, Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Father of George Cleveland Trumbo, Jr..
  George Cleveland Trumbo, Jr. (b. 1913) — also known as George C. Trumbo — of Milam, Hardy County, W.Va. Born in Milam, Hardy County, W.Va., March 15, 1913. Son of George Cleveland Trumbo. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; school teacher; farmer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Hardy County, 1949-50. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; American Legion. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  H. T. Tucker (b. 1894) — also known as Tom Tucker — of Huntington, Wayne County, W.Va. Born in Fort Gay, Wayne County, W.Va., September 7, 1894. Democrat. Real estate and insurance business; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Wayne County, 1933, 1947-56; resigned 1933. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Elks; Junior Order. Burial location unknown.
  Larry A. Tucker (b. 1935) — of Summersville, Nicholas County, W.Va. Born in Fayette County, W.Va., November 11, 1935. Son of Thomas E. Tucker and Frances (Monday) Tucker. Democrat. Banker; member of West Virginia state house of delegates, 1971-82; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1972; member, board of trustees, Summersville Memorial Hospital; member of West Virginia state senate 12th District, 1983-89; resigned 1989; President of the West Virginia State Senate, 1989. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; American Legion; Rotary. Still living as of 1989.
  Relatives: Married, May 19, 1978, to Jean Copeland.
  Frank W. Tuckwiller (1884-1976) — also known as F. W. Tuckwiller — of Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, W.Va. Born April 5, 1884. Son of David Tuckwiller and Lucile Rachel (Watts) Tuckwiller. Democrat. Farmer; automobile dealer; member of West Virginia state senate 9th District, 1935-38. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Rotary. Died in 1976 (age about 92 years). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, November 5, 1908, to Mary Wilson Dotson.
  Cecil Harland Underwood (1922-2008) — also known as Cecil H. Underwood — of Sistersville, Tyler County, W.Va.; Huntington, Cabell County, W.Va.; Wheeling, Ohio County, W.Va. Born in Josephs Mills, Tyler County, W.Va., November 5, 1922. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; minister; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Tyler County, 1945-56; Governor of West Virginia, 1957-61, 1997-2001; defeated, 1964, 1976, 2000; delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1960 (Temporary Chair), 1972, 2000; candidate for U.S. Senator from West Virginia, 1960; candidate for Presidential Elector for West Virginia, 1968. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Elks; Moose; Junior Order; Pi Kappa Delta; Farm Bureau. He was both the youngest (in 1957) and the oldest (in 2001) governor in West Virginia history. Died, following a series of strokes, in Memorial Hospital of the Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va., November 24, 2008 (age 86 years, 19 days). His body was donated to the School of Medicine at Marshall University. Cenotaph at Spring Hill Cemetery, Josephs Mills, W.Va.
  Relatives: Married, July 25, 1948, to Hovah Hall (1919-2004); father of Cecilia Underwood.
  Campaign slogan (1996): "Better Government, Not Bigger Government."
  Epitaph: "They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies in death to science."
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Donald Van Camp (b. 1912) — of Middlebourne, Tyler County, W.Va. Born in New Martinsville, Wetzel County, W.Va., April 5, 1912. Republican. Insurance business; member of West Virginia state senate 2nd District, 1947-50. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Elks; Eagles; Lions. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  J. Wamsley Vandall (b. 1901) — of Creston, Wirt County, W.Va. Born in Creston, Wirt County, W.Va., November 28, 1901. Republican. School teacher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Wirt County, 1935-36. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Arnold M. Vickers (b. 1908) — of Montgomery, Fayette County, W.Va. Born in Montgomery, Fayette County, W.Va., August 8, 1908. Son of Charles M. Vickers and Helen (Montgomery) Vickers. Democrat. Lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Fayette County, 1935-36; member of West Virginia state senate 11th District, 1941-48; President of the West Virginia State Senate, 1945. Methodist. Member, Lambda Chi Alpha; Phi Alpha Delta; Freemasons. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, December 22, 1932, to Nettie Margaret Hess.
  Harold W. Virden (b. 1907) — of Follansbee, Brooke County, W.Va. Born in Follansbee, Brooke County, W.Va., November 25, 1907. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Brooke County, 1957-58. Methodist. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  C. Paul Wanstreet (b. 1921) — of Clarksburg, Harrison County, W.Va. Born in Wolf Summit, Harrison County, W.Va., March 16, 1921. Son of George L. Wanstreet and Margaret (Greaver) Wanstreet. Democrat. Tire business; member of West Virginia state house of delegates, 1969-72, 1975-76 (Harrison County 1969-72, 25th District 1975-76); defeated, 1972. Methodist. Member, Elks; Eagles; Moose; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion. Still living as of 1976.
  Relatives: Married, June 13, 1952, to Mary Hurley.
  Mara L. Watson — of Wellsburg, Brooke County, W.Va. Democrat. Member of Democratic National Committee from West Virginia, 1991; delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1996. Female. Methodist. Still living as of 1996.
  Lester W. Watts (b. 1903) — also known as "Doc" — of East Rainelle, Greenbrier County, W.Va. Born in Richlands, Greenbrier County, W.Va., February 5, 1903. Democrat. Automobile dealer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Greenbrier County, 1951-54. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Moose; Rotary; Farm Bureau. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Homer Roy Waugh (1879-1945) — also known as H. Roy Waugh — of Buckhannon, Upshur County, W.Va. Born in Upshur County, W.Va., January 4, 1879. Son of Homer M. Waugh and Malissa (Jane) Waugh. Republican. Lawyer; Upshur County Prosecuting Attorney, 1905-08; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Upshur County, 1909-10; U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, 1910-14; circuit judge in West Virginia, 1921-28; delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1936; candidate for U.S. Representative from West Virginia 3rd District, 1938, 1940. Methodist. Member, Sigma Chi; Freemasons. Died in 1945 (age about 66 years). Original interment at Old Baptist Cemetery, Buckhannon, W.Va.; reinterment in 1979 at Heavner Cemetery, Buckhannon, W.Va.
  Relatives: Married, October 17, 1905, to Eliza P. Newlon.
  Thomas E. Welch (b. 1930) — of McMechen, Marshall County, W.Va. Born in McMechen, Marshall County, W.Va., January 2, 1930. Republican. School teacher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marshall County, 1955-58; defeated, 1958. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Odd Fellows; Moose; National Education Association. Still living as of 1958.
  George H. Whaley (b. 1919) — of Parkersburg, Wood County, W.Va. Born in Parkersburg, Wood County, W.Va., April 30, 1919. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Wood County, 1955-58; defeated, 1958. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; American Legion. Still living as of 1958.
  Richard Whetsell (b. 1905) — of Kingwood, Preston County, W.Va. Born in Kingwood, Preston County, W.Va., June 26, 1905. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; newspaper publisher; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Preston County, 1949-60; alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1952. Methodist. Member, Elks; Knights of Pythias; Moose; Eagles; Sigma Chi; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Everett Edison White (b. 1881) — also known as Everett E. White — of Madison, Boone County, W.Va. Born in Gordon, Boone County, W.Va., September 28, 1881. Democrat. Banker; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Boone County, 1929-33, 1936-39, 1947-58; appointed 1936. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Odd Fellows; Rotary. Burial location unknown.
  Henry F. White (b. 1883) — of Huntington, Cabell County, W.Va. Born in Hamlin, Lincoln County, W.Va., November 21, 1883. Democrat. School teacher; superintendent of schools; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Cabell County, 1941-52. Methodist. Member, Junior Order. Burial location unknown.
  Mont Z. White (b. 1872) — of Williamson, Mingo County, W.Va. Born in Deep Valley, Greene County, Pa., September 6, 1872. Republican. Banker; mayor of Williamson, W.Va.; member of West Virginia state senate 6th District, 1911-14, 1923-34; President of the West Virginia State Senate, 1925-32; warden, West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville, 1914-18; ended corporal punishment in the prison; West Virginia Republican state chair, 1920-24. Methodist. Member, Elks; Odd Fellows; Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Image source: West Virginia Blue Book 1917
  Sam White (b. 1927) — of St. Marys, Pleasants County, W.Va. Born in Mercer County, W.Va., May 21, 1927. Son of Dr. S. Ray White and Ora (Ward) White. Republican. Lawyer; Pleasants County Prosecuting Attorney; member of West Virginia state house of delegates 7th District, 1977-80; member of West Virginia state senate 3rd District, 1981-85; resigned 1985. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Delta Tau Delta; Phi Delta Phi; American Bar Association. Still living as of 1985.
  Relatives: Married, April 18, 1954, to Dottie Harper.
  Robert L. Wiedebusch (1936-1997) — also known as Larry Wiedebusch — of Glen Dale, Marshall County, W.Va. Born in Marshall County, W.Va., March 6, 1936. Son of Robert Wiedebusch and Clara (Bunner) Wiedebusch. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates 4th District, 1975-86; member of West Virginia state senate 2nd District, 1989-97; died in office 1997. Methodist. Member, Moose; American Legion; Lions; Elks; Civitan; Knights of Pythias. Died October 25, 1997 (age 61 years, 233 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, February 26, 1959, to Mary Archer.
  Charles L. Williams (b. 1904) — of Man, Logan County, W.Va. Born in Greenbrier, Faulkner County, Ark., July 20, 1904. Democrat. Merchant; automobile dealer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Logan County; elected 1952, 1954. Methodist. Member, Moose. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Harlan Wilson, Jr. (b. 1930) — also known as Skip Wilson — of Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Charleston, Kanawha County, W.Va., May 2, 1930. Son of Harlan Yates Wilson, Sr. and Glenna (Poling) Wilson. Republican. Funeral director; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Kanawha County, 1969-70; candidate for West Virginia state senate 8th District, 1972. Methodist. Member, Kiwanis. Still living as of 1972.
  Relatives: Married, June 25, 1960, to Betty Lou Phillips.
  W. R. Wilson (b. 1913) — also known as "Squibb" — of Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va. Born in Fairview, Marion County, W.Va., October 6, 1913. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marion County, 1957-58, 1961-64, 1967-68; defeated, 1972; delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1972. Methodist. Member, Elks; Rotary; National Education Association; American Legion; Forty and Eight. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Emmett O. Wiseman (1903-1989) — of Fayetteville, Fayette County, W.Va. Born in Fayetteville, Fayette County, W.Va., April 9, 1903. Son of W. E. Wiseman and Lena Wiseman. Democrat. Pharmacist; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Fayette County, 1935-36; member of West Virginia state senate, 1937-40 (9th District 1937-38, 11th District 1939-40). Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Phi Delta Phi. Died in Beckley, Raleigh County, W.Va., September 21, 1989 (age 86 years, 165 days). Interment at Huse Memorial Park, Fayetteville, W.Va.
  Relatives: Married, August 9, 1928, to W. Clarissa Winslow.
  Perry N. Wiseman (b. 1869) — of Summersville, Nicholas County, W.Va. Born in Nicholas County, W.Va., July 8, 1869. Son of Nicholas Wiseman and Nancy (McCutchon) Wiseman. Democrat. Banker; member of West Virginia state senate 9th District, 1929-36. Southern Methodist. Member, Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias; Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, November 4, 1886, to Mary M. Hedges.
  Howard E. Woodward (b. 1892) — of Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va. Born in Taylor County, W.Va., June 1, 1892. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Marion County, 1935-36. Southern Methodist. Member, American Legion; Moose; Odd Fellows; Woodmen. Burial location unknown.
  Paul W. Workman (b. 1894) — also known as Pop Workman — of Clendenin, Kanawha County, W.Va. Born in Lavalette, Wayne County, W.Va., February 21, 1894. Son of Jefferson Bowen Workman (born 1868) and Grace (Wellman) Workman (born 1873). Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; school teacher; athletic coach; tire dealer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Kanawha County, 1963. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Lions; American Legion. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, September 1, 1920, to Violet Christene Snow (born 1899).
  H. Dennis Wright (b. 1897) — of Montcalm, Mercer County, W.Va. Born in Rock, Mercer County, W.Va., November 25, 1897. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Mercer County, 1935-38. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; United Mine Workers. Burial location unknown.
  Lacy Wright, Jr. (b. 1946) — of Bradshaw, McDowell County, W.Va. Born in McDowell County, W.Va., August 18, 1946. Son of Lacy Wright and Lou E. (Mullens) Wright. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates, 1975-80, 1997-; member of West Virginia state senate 6th District, 1981-84. Methodist. Member, Lions. Still living as of 1997.
  William S. Wysong (1876-1963) — of Webster Springs, Webster County, W.Va. Born in Hamlin, Lincoln County, W.Va., February 13, 1876. Son of William M. Wysong and Bettie Mayo (Holt) Wysong. Democrat. Lawyer; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Webster County, 1911-14, 1929-30, 1935-36, 1951-52; chair of Webster County Democratic Party, 1940-42; Presidential Elector for West Virginia, 1940. Southern Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Lions. Died in April, 1963 (age 87 years, 0 days). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, April 18, 1900, to Mattie L. Wysong.
  Don Yoak (b. 1921) — of Grantsville, Calhoun County, W.Va. Born in Grantsville, Calhoun County, W.Va., September 19, 1921. Democrat. Member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Calhoun County, 1953-54. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Order of the Eastern Star; Shriners; Knights of Pythias; Rotary; Farm Bureau. Still living as of 1954.
  Richard L. Young (b. 1923) — also known as Dick Young — of Buckhannon, Upshur County, W.Va. Born in Grafton, Taylor County, W.Va., March 26, 1923. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; school teacher; restaurant owner; member of West Virginia state house of delegates from Upshur County, 1953-58; resigned 1958. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Elks; National Education Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Moose. Still living as of 1958.

 

 


 
   
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