Thomas B. Stanley
| Thomas Stanley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
|
In office June 24, 1956 – June 23, 1957 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur B. Langlie |
| Succeeded by | William Stratton |
| 57th Governor of Virginia | |
|
In office January 20, 1954 – January 11, 1958 | |
| Lieutenant | Allie Edward Stakes Stephens |
| Preceded by | John S. Battle |
| Succeeded by | Lindsay Almond |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district | |
|
In office November 5, 1946 – February 3, 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas G. Burch |
| Succeeded by | William M. Tuck |
| 47th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
|
In office January 14, 1942 – November 5, 1946 | |
| Preceded by | Ashton Dovell |
| Succeeded by | G. Alvin Massenburg |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry and Martinsville | |
|
In office January 13, 1932 – November 5, 1946 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Willey R. Broaddus |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry | |
|
In office January 8, 1930 – January 13, 1932 | |
| Preceded by | Sallie C. Booker |
| Succeeded by | Constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Bahnson Stanley July 16, 1890 Spencer, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died |
July 10, 1970 (aged 79) Stanleytown, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Bassett |
| Education | Eastman Business College (BA) |
Thomas Bahnson Stanley (July 16, 1890 – July 10, 1970) was an American politician, manufacturer and Holstein cattle breeder.[1] He served in a number of different political positions in Virginia, including serving as the 57th Governor of the state.
Early life
He was born to Crockett Stanley (January 8, 1838 – March 12, 1915) and Susan Matilda Walker (August 17, 1845 – April 9, 1922) on a farm near Spencer, Henry County, Virginia, youngest of seven children. He married Anne Pocahontas Bassett (November 28, 1898 – October 20, 1979) on October 24, 1918 in Bassett, Virginia. Anne was the daughter of John David Bassett (July 14, 1866 – February 26, 1965), a founder of Bassett Furniture, and Nancy Pocahontas Hundley (November 21, 1862 – January 11, 1953). Stanley graduated from Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1912.
Business
Stanley worked for his father-in-law's company, Bassett Furniture, as an executive, until 1924, when he left and founded Stanley Furniture,[2] a leading Virginia furniture maker, in what would become Stanleytown, Virginia. His sons Thomas Bahnson Stanley, Jr. and John David Stanley joined him at Stanley Furniture.
Politics
As the Democratic candidate he defeated Republican Theodore Roosevelt Dalton and Independent Howard Carwile in the general election for Governor of Virginia in 1953. He served as the Governor of Virginia from 1954 to 1958. Before becoming governor, Stanley was the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and a U.S. Representative in Congress from November 5, 1946, filling vacancy created when Thomas G. Burch resigned to assume U. S. Senate seat, until Stanley resigned on February 3, 1953 to run for Virginia's governor. As governor Stanley improved the administration of state hospitals and increased funding to mental hospitals and public schools.
While governor Stanley became embroiled in conflict. The budget fight between the Old Guard and the Young Turks over budget surpluses in the 1954 legislative session colored relations in the Democratic Party for a generation. Brown v. Board of Education was decided during his term, and his initial efforts to preserve segregation through legislative means were hamstrung by U.S. Senator Harry Byrd, Sr., and his Massive Resistance campaign.
Electoral history
- 1946; Stanley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and concurrently won a general election to the seat with 75.4% and 73.52% respectively in both races, defeating Republican William Creasy in both races.
- 1948; Stanley was re-elected with 99.53% of the vote, defeating Independent Gene Graybeal.
- 1950; Stanley was re-elected unopposed.
- 1952; Stanley was re-elected unopposed.
- 1953; Stanley was elected Governor of Virginia with 54.76% of the vote, defeating Republican Theodore R. Dalton and Independent Howard Hearness Carwile.
Death
He died in Martinsville, Virginia on July 10, 1970 and is buried in Roselawn Burial Park. His home Stoneleigh was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[3]
References
- ↑ Eskridge, Sarah K. "Thomas B. Stanley (1890–1970)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Company History for Stanley Furniture Company, Inc". Answer.com. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
- ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
External links
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas G. Burch |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th congressional district 1946–1953 |
Succeeded by William M. Tuck |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by John S. Battle |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia 1953 |
Succeeded by Lindsay Almond |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by John S. Battle |
Governor of Virginia 1954–1958 |
Succeeded by Lindsay Almond |
| Preceded by Arthur B. Langlie |
Chair of the National Governors Association 1956–1957 |
Succeeded by William Stratton |
 | ||