Herman G. Kump

Herman Guy Kump (born October 31, 1877 in Capon Springs , Hampshire County , West Virginia , † February 14, 1962 in Elkins , West Virginia) was an American politician and from 1933 to 1937 the 19th governor of the state of West Virginia.

Early years and political advancement

Herman Kump attended the University of Virginia until 1905 . After graduating from law school and admitted to the bar, he opened a law firm in Elkins, Randolph County . He subsequently became a district attorney. During the First World War he served as a captain in the US Army. After the war he became mayor of Elkins. Between 1928 and 1932 he was a judge in the 20th District of West Virginia. In 1932 he was elected as the Democratic Party candidate for the new governor of West Virginia.

West Virginia Governor

Kumps four-year term began on March 4, 1933 and was the world economic crisis marked. The budget deficit was about $ 4 million. To relieve the citizens, the tax laws were changed and job creation measures were initiated. In this context, the expansion of the road network in West Virginia was advanced. Some district roads were subordinated to the state after an administrative reform. In 1936, a law was passed to assist the unemployed. Over the years, the economic situation improved again, which was also a result of the New Deal policy of the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt . In 1937, West Virginia was in this area in a national comparison about the average of all US states. The school system was also reformed under Governor Kump. At that time, all schools were subordinated to the districts to enable better administration.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended, Kump returned to the Elkins bar. He was also President of the Citizens National Bank of Elkins (1924–1952). In 1940 and 1942, Kump applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the US Senate . He died in 1962. Herman Kump was married to Edna Scott, with whom he had six children, including the son Cyrus Kump, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party's nomination for governor in 1952.

Web links

• Herman G. Kump in the database of the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of West Virginia (English)
• Herman G. Kump in the database of Find a Grave (English)