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Hulett C. Smith

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Hulett Smith
27th Governor of West Virginia
In office
January 18, 1965 – January 13, 1969
Preceded byWally Barron
Succeeded byArch Moore
Personal details
Born(1918-10-21)October 21, 1918
Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 15, 2012(2012-01-15) (aged 93)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Mary Alice Tieche
Nancy Pat Smith
ChildrenPaul Smith, Mark Smith, Hulett Smith, Jr, Carolyn Smith, Christy Smith, Suzaine Smith
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
RankLieutenant
Battles/warsWorld 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

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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

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  1. ^ "Former W.Va. Gov. Hulett C. Smith dies at 93". Associated Press. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "DCSki Lost Ski Area Profile: Bald Knob Ski Slopes". dcski.com. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  3. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Hulett Carlson Smith". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
  4. ^ "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.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of West Virginia
1964
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of West Virginia
1965–1969
Succeeded by