Thomas Bahnson Stanley

Thomas Bahnson Stanley

Thomas Bahnson Stanley (born July 16, 1890 in Spencer , Henry County , Virginia , †  July 10, 1970 in Martinsville , Virginia) was an American politician and governor of the state of Virginia from 1954 to 1958 . Between 1946 and 1953 he represented his state in the US House of Representatives .

Early years and political advancement

Thomas Stanley attended public schools in his home country and then, through 1912, Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie . He then worked in various professions until he founded a furniture factory in 1924. Soon he was also involved in other companies in this branch. He also got into the dairy business and raising cattle.

Stanley became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1930 and 1946 he was a member of the Virginia House of Representatives ; Since 1942 he was the successor of Ashton Dovell the Speaker of this chamber. After the resignation of Thomas G. Burch , who moved to the United States Senate , Stanley took over his seat in the US House of Representatives. After two re-elections, he was able to exercise this between November 5, 1946 and February 3, 1953. There he was chairman of the Committee on House Administration . After he had decided to run for governor of Virginia , Stanley resigned from Congress in February 1953 .

Governor of Virginia

After his election victory against the Republican Ted Dalton , Thomas Stanley was able to take up his four-year term as governor on January 11, 1954. As governor, he campaigned for an increase in the mineral oil tax and demanded federal subsidies for the maintenance of the motorways. He was also in favor of further improving his state's educational system. However, his efforts were overshadowed and partially slowed down by an internal party dispute over budgeting. The governor tried a gradual integration ( desegregation ) of Afro-Americans in schools. In doing so, he encountered resolute resistance from US Senator Harry F. Byrd .

Another résumé

After his tenure was over, Stanley returned to his business interests, with an emphasis on furniture manufacturing. He remained connected to this branch until his death. He was also a curator of Randolph-Macon College and President of the First National Bank of Bassett . Stanley also served as president of a tax revenue and expenditure control commission for the State of Virginia and its subordinate government agencies. He died in July 1970. He had three children with his wife, Anne Pocahontas Bassett. His two sons also got into the furniture business.

Web links

• Thomas Bahnson Stanley in the National Governors Association (English)
• Thomas Bahnson Stanley in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• Thomas Bahnson Stanley in the database of Find a Grave (English)