Joseph Emile Harley

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Joseph Emile Harley (born September 14, 1880 in Williston , Barnwell County , South Carolina , † February 27, 1942 in Columbia , South Carolina) was an American politician and governor of the state of South Carolina from 1941 to 1942 .

Early years and political advancement

Joseph Harley graduated from the University of South Carolina . He took part in the Spanish-American War of 1898 and later made it to the Colonel in the South Carolina National Guard . In addition to his practice as a lawyer, he was President of the First National Bank of Barnwell for several years . Between 1905 and 1906 and again from 1927 to 1930 he was a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina . In the meantime, he was Mayor of Barnwell City from 1912 to 1922, and then Supreme Court Justice of South Carolina. During the tenure of Governor Thomas Gordon McLeod from 1923 to 1927 he was a member of his staff and from 1935 to 1941 he was Vice Governor of his state.

Governor of south carolina

After the resignation of Governor Burnet R. Maybank , who moved to the US Senate in November 1941 , Harley fell to the office of governor. By then, Harley was seriously ill with throat cancer . Soon he lost his voice and he could only communicate in writing with his surroundings. Nevertheless, he faced the challenges of the office as best he could. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent entry into the war by the USA , he began in South Carolina with the conversion of the economy to war needs. He was also responsible for mobilization. At the same time, he led an investigation into the state-owned penal institution, the administration of which had come under suspicion of corruption. After the suspicion was confirmed, the director was suspended and sentenced. Finally, on February 7, 1942, Harley succumbed to his illness. He was married to Sarah Agnes Richardson, with whom he had three children.

literature

  • Robert Sobel, John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4. Meckler Books, Westport, CT, 1978. 4 volumes.
  • The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 12. James T. White & Company, New York

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Harley, Joseph Emile
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH September 14, 1880
PLACE OF BIRTH Williston , South Carolina
DATE OF DEATH February 27, 1942
Place of death Columbia , South Carolina