Clarence W. Meadows

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Clarence Watson Meadows

Meadows from The Monticola, 1948
22nd Governor of West Virginia
In office January 15, 1945 – January 17, 1949
Preceded by	Matthew M. Neely
Succeeded by	Okey L. Patteson
Personal details
Born	(1904-02-11)February 11, 1904 Beckley, West Virginia
Died	September 12, 1961(1961-09-12) (aged 57) Clifton Forge, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Nancy Massie Meadows
Profession	Politician
Religion	Baptist

Clarence Watson Meadows (February 11, 1904 – September 12, 1961) was the 22nd Governor of West Virginia from 1945 to 1949.

Meadows was born and raised in Beckley. As a youth, he showed a passion for public speaking, and his parents attempted to direct him toward a career as a Baptist minister. However, Meadows was instead drawn toward the stage and, after receiving a degree from Washington and Lee University, he became active in his hometown's theater troupe. Meadows received a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1927 and subsequently entered into an active career in politics.

In 1930, Meadows won in his first run for elective office, as he entered the West Virginia House of Delegates for a single term. He chose not to run for reelection, but instead successfully earned a position as Raleigh County District Attorney. In 1936, Meadows entered state politics, as he one his first of two terms as West Virginia Attorney General. Because of his cantor and honest disposition, Meadows became one of the most respected politicians in the state. In 1942, he accepted an appointment as a judge for the state's Tenth Judicial Circuit.

Using a then-modern campaign that featured an array of radio appearances, Meadows was easily elected governor in 1944. As governor, his priorities included ameliorating labor strife in the coal industry, increasing access to quality education, and improving transportation to the geographically isolated state.

At the conclusion of his term, Meadows returned to his law practice. In 1957, he retired to Florida and assisted Democrats in his new state with campaigning. He died in 1961 while visiting relatives in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

External links

Legal offices
Preceded by Homer A. Holt	Attorney General of West Virginia 1937–1942	Succeeded by William S. Wysong
Political offices
Preceded by Matthew M. Neely	Governor of West Virginia 1945–1949	Succeeded by Okey L. Patteson

v t e Governors of West Virginia

Boreman Farnsworth Stevenson Jacob Mathews Jackson Wilson Fleming MacCorkle Atkinson White Dawson Glasscock Hatfield Cornwell Morgan Gore Conley Kump Holt Neely Meadows Patteson Marland Underwood Barron Smith Moore Rockefeller Moore Caperton Underwood Wise Manchin Tomblin

Persondata
Name	Meadows, Clarence Watson
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	February 11, 1904
Place of birth	Beckley, West Virginia
Date of death	September 12, 1961
Place of death	Clifton Forge, Virginia

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