Hulett C. Smith
Hulett Smith | |
---|---|
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27th Governor of West Virginia | |
In office January 18, 1965 – January 13, 1969 | |
Preceded by | Wally Barron |
Succeeded by | Arch Moore |
Personal details | |
Born | Beckley, West Virginia, U.S. | October 21, 1918
Died | January 15, 2012 Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | (aged 93)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Mary Alice Tieche Nancy Pat Smith |
Children | Paul Smith, Mark Smith, Hulett Smith, Jr, Carolyn Smith, Christy Smith, Suzaine Smith |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Hulett Carlson Smith (October 21, 1918 – January 15, 2012) was an American politician who served as the 27th Governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.
Biography
[edit]The son of West Virginia Congressman Joe L. Smith, Hulett C. Smith was born in Beckley, West Virginia. Smith attended public schools in Raleigh County, and graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance and Administration, where he majored in economics. Following his graduation from the Wharton School, Smith worked in the insurance business and at his family's radio station. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant, and ultimately became a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.[1]
Active in community service and civic affairs, he served as president of The West Virginia Junior Chamber of Commerce (1949–1950). He was the chairman of the West Virginia Democratic Party from 1956 to 1962. During this time Smith co-founded Bald Knob Ski Slopes, the predecessor to Winterplace Ski Resort.[2] He was elected governor in 1964 and served for one term. Due to term limits in place at that time, he was unable to run for a second term in 1968. After his term as governor, Smith served as a Presidential elector in 1992; he was also on the slate of George McGovern's electors in 1972.[3]
In 1968, Smith responded to the bombing of the gymnasium at Bluefield State College by offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to conviction of the culprits.
Smith died in Scottsdale, Arizona aged 93.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Former W.Va. Gov. Hulett C. Smith dies at 93". Associated Press. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ "DCSki Lost Ski Area Profile: Bald Knob Ski Slopes". dcski.com. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- ^ "The Political Graveyard: Hulett Carlson Smith". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- ^ "Former Gov. Hulett Smith dies in Scottsdale, AZ - Business, Government Legal News from throughout WV". Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
External links
[edit]- West Virginia & Regional History Center at West Virginia University, Hulett C. Smith, Governor, Papers
- Biography of Hulett C. Smith Archived September 25, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- Inaugural Address of Hulett C. Smith
- 1918 births
- 2012 deaths
- United States Navy personnel of World War II
- American Presbyterians
- Democratic Party governors of West Virginia
- Military personnel from Beckley, West Virginia
- Politicians from Beckley, West Virginia
- State political party chairs of West Virginia
- United States Navy officers
- United States Navy reservists
- Wharton School alumni
- 20th-century West Virginia politicians
- Businesspeople from Beckley, West Virginia
- Phi Delta Theta members
- West Virginia politician stubs