Clarence Watson Meadows | |
|---|---|
 Meadows fromThe Monticola, 1948 | |
| 22nd Governor of West Virginia | |
| In office January 15, 1945 – January 17, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew M. Neely |
| Succeeded by | Okey Patteson |
| Attorney General of West Virginia | |
| In office January 18, 1937 – May 25, 1942 | |
| Governor | Homer A. Holt Matthew M. Neely |
| Preceded by | Homer A. Holt |
| Succeeded by | William S. Wysong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1904-02-11)February 11, 1904 Beckley,West Virginia,U.S. |
| Died | September 12, 1961(1961-09-12) (aged 57) Clifton Forge,Virginia,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nancy Massie Meadows |
Clarence Watson Meadows (February 11, 1904 – September 12, 1961) was the 22ndgovernor of West Virginia from 1945 to 1949. He was the first governor of West Virginia to be born in the 20th century.
Meadows was born and raised inBeckley. As a youth, he showed a passion for public speaking, and his parents attempted to direct him toward a career as aBaptist minister. However, Meadows was instead drawn toward the stage and, after receiving a degree fromWashington and Lee University, he became active in his hometown's theater troupe. Meadows received a law degree from theUniversity 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 theWest Virginia House of Delegates for a single term. He chose not to run for reelection, but instead successfully earned a position asRaleigh County District Attorney. In 1936, Meadows entered state politics, with the first of his two terms asWest Virginia Attorney General. Because of his candor 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 inClifton Forge, Virginia.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forWest Virginia Attorney General 1936, 1940 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of West Virginia 1944 | Succeeded by |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by | Attorney General of West Virginia 1937–1942 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of West Virginia 1945–1949 | Succeeded by |
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