Gov. Clarence W. Meadows

CLARENCE W. MEADOWS was born in Beckley, West Virginia. After attending Washington and Lee University, he received a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1927 and went on to practice law in both Alabama and West Virginia. He was then elected a member of the West Virginia State House of Delegates, Prosecuting Attorney of Raleigh County, West Virginia, and Attorney General of West Virginia. He was reelected Attorney General but resigned to accept appointment as Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, a position to which he was elected for a term ending December, 1944, after which he successfully campaigned for governor. During his tenure as governor, the office of state Insurance Commissioner, the West Virginia Turnpike Commission, and the Department of Motor Vehicles were established. After leaving office, Meadows returned to his law practice and engaged in the oil and gas business. He later moved to Florida, where he served as campaign manager for Claude Pepper, a long-term member of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He died in Clifton Force, Virginia.