Cecil H. Underwood
Encyclopedia
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American
Republican Party
politician from West Virginia
, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise
. Underwood was both the youngest and the oldest person ever to serve as Governor of West Virginia, as well as the oldest serving governor in US history. He was also the first guest on the television game show To Tell the Truth
. He was a Methodist, and a former minister.
in 1922, and labored on farms during The Great Depression. He graduated from Tyler County High School in 1939.
After graduation, he became an Army reservist
during World War II
before enrolling in Salem College
in Harrison County
. He graduated in 1943, where he had been elected president of the student body. After college, he instructed high school students as a biology
teacher in St. Marys, West Virginia
in Pleasants County
from 1943 to 1946.
While at Salem College, he met his future wife, Hovah Hall Underwood
, through her two sisters when they were classmates. They were wed on July 25, 1948 at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.
Between 1946 to 1950, Underwood taught at Marietta College
in Marietta, Ohio
, and then served as President of Salem College from 1950 to 1956. He went on to receive a master's degree from West Virginia University
nine years later.
At the age of 22, Underwood entered politics by running as a Republican for the West Virginia House of Delegates
, winning six terms from 1944 to 1956. He served as House Minority Leader in 1949, 1951, 1953 and 1955.
Mayor John T. Copenhaver by only 7,200 votes in the primary, and had made a decisive victory against Democratic U.S. Representative
Robert Mollohan in the general election by 63,000 votes. Only a week prior to the election, it was discovered that Mollohan had received $20,000 and two cars from a coal operator on a strip mine at a male reformatory
in Pruntytown
while Mollohan was superintendent of the institution.
Following the lead of Governor William C. Marland
, the Democrat who preceded him in office, Underwood continued the desegregation
of West Virginia schools without violent confrontation at all levels and was a supporter of civil rights
legislation. When presented with an order to desegregate the state's school systems, Underwood simply stated that "West Virginia will obey the Law."
The previous governors since 1932 had all been Democrats
. His first act as governor was to go on the new medium of television
and inform every state employee that they were fired. He stated that this was the only way to destroy the corrupt "machine" system. He later advocated an organized civil service
and retirement
pension
system, and provided temporary employment relief for low-income families. Underwood was also instrumental in the creation of the West Virginia Mental Health Department, and oversaw creation of the interstate highway
in the state,
Underwood also oversaw the last three executions
in the state, all taking place in 1959.
prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms at that time, Underwood ran for the United States Senate
in 1960, but was defeated by incumbent Democrat Jennings Randolph
. He was nominated again for governor in 1964 but was defeated again, and then lost the Republican primary for governor to Arch Moore
in 1968. He was nominated again for governor in 1976, losing to Democrat Jay Rockefeller
by 250,000, which would become his largest defeat.
During the 1960s, he was named temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention
and was once considered for the office of Vice President
under Richard Nixon
. Two weeks after losing the senate race in 1960, Underwood went to work for the Island Creek Coal Company and Monsanto Chemical Company as well as forming his own land development company. He was associated as well with the Software Valley Corporation in Morgantown, West Virginia
. He continued his academic career by serving as President of Bethany College
and instructor of political science
at Marshall University
. He also served as president of the National Association of State Councils on Vocational Education.
, who had run a write-in campaign against then-governor Gaston Caperton
four years earlier, and had won a multi-candidate primary in this election cycle.
During his governorship, he enabled the Governor's Commission of Fair Taxation, which was a thorough review of the state's tax structure. The Commission made numerous recommendations for improvement. He also streamlined administrative costs from education and other government sectors.
In October 1999, Underwood was selected by the Governors of the Appalachian states to serve as West Virginia's co-chairman for the Appalachian Regional Commission
for 2000.
Underwood was the only sitting Republican governor defeated for re-election in 2000, narrowly losing to Democrat Bob Wise
.
, died on September 24, 2004 from complications of a stroke
.
Cecil Underwood suffered a minor stroke in March 2006 and was hospitalized several times after that.
In early 2008, Underwood suffered a major stroke
and lost the ability to formulate
speech; he later had a severe blood infection. In June, he was admitted to a nursing facility before returning to his Charleston residence, where he received round-the-clock care.
Underwood was admitted to the Charleston Area Medical Center's Memorial Hospital on November 23, 2008 for chest congestion, and doctors found some slight bleeding in the brain. He died the following day, and is survived by one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. His body was donated to Marshall University
's Joan C. Edwards
School of Medicine.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician from West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise
Bob Wise
Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:...
. Underwood was both the youngest and the oldest person ever to serve as Governor of West Virginia, as well as the oldest serving governor in US history. He was also the first guest on the television game show To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth is an American television panel game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired in various forms since 1956 both on networks and in syndication...
. He was a Methodist, and a former minister.
Early life
Underwood was born in Josephs Mills, West VirginiaJosephs Mills, West Virginia
Josephs Mills is an unincorporated community in Tyler County, West Virginia, United States. It was the birthplace for Cecil H. Underwood, who was the Governor of West Virginia from 1957 to 1961, and from 1997 to 2001....
in 1922, and labored on farms during The Great Depression. He graduated from Tyler County High School in 1939.
After graduation, he became an Army reservist
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
before enrolling in Salem College
Salem International University
Salem International University is an American private university located in Salem, West Virginia, in the United States...
in Harrison County
Harrison County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,652 people, 27,867 households, and 19,088 families residing in the county. The population density was 165 people per square mile . There were 31,112 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile...
. He graduated in 1943, where he had been elected president of the student body. After college, he instructed high school students as a biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
teacher in St. Marys, West Virginia
St. Marys, West Virginia
St. Marys is a city in Pleasants County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pleasants County. St. Marys was established in 1849 by Alexander Creel, who is said to have had a vision of Mary while passing the townsite by boat...
in Pleasants County
Pleasants County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,514 people, 2,887 households, and 2,136 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile . There were 3,214 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
from 1943 to 1946.
While at Salem College, he met his future wife, Hovah Hall Underwood
Hovah Hall Underwood
Hovah Hall Underwood was an American from West Virginia. She was a Methodist. She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood and served as that state's First Lady 1957-1961 and 1997-2001....
, through her two sisters when they were classmates. They were wed on July 25, 1948 at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.
Between 1946 to 1950, Underwood taught at Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
in Marietta, Ohio
Marietta, Ohio
Marietta is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Ohio, United States. During 1788, pioneers to the Ohio Country established Marietta as the first permanent American settlement of the new United States in the Northwest Territory. Marietta is located in southeastern Ohio at the mouth...
, and then served as President of Salem College from 1950 to 1956. He went on to receive a master's degree from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
nine years later.
At the age of 22, Underwood entered politics by running as a Republican for the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
, winning six terms from 1944 to 1956. He served as House Minority Leader in 1949, 1951, 1953 and 1955.
Governor of West Virginia
Underwood's 1956 election as Governor of West Virginia marked the first election of a Republican to the office since 1928. He had defeated CharlestonCharleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
Mayor John T. Copenhaver by only 7,200 votes in the primary, and had made a decisive victory against Democratic U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Robert Mollohan in the general election by 63,000 votes. Only a week prior to the election, it was discovered that Mollohan had received $20,000 and two cars from a coal operator on a strip mine at a male reformatory
Pruntytown Correctional Center
Pruntytown Correctional Center is a state prison for West Virginia, located at Pruntytown near Grafton, West Virginia, USA.The premises were previously used for a juvenile detention center known as the West Virginia Industrial Home for Boys, which closed in 1983...
in Pruntytown
Pruntytown, West Virginia
Pruntytown is an unincorporated town at the junction of the Northwestern Turnpike and U.S. Route 250 in Taylor County, West Virginia. It is the site of the Pruntytown Correctional Center, formerly known as the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys.- External links :**...
while Mollohan was superintendent of the institution.
Following the lead of Governor William C. Marland
William C. Marland
William Casey Marland , a Democrat, was the 24th Governor of West Virginia from 1953 to 1957. He is best known for his early attempts to tax companies that depleted the state's natural resources, especially coal, as well as overseeing the generally non-violent implementation of school...
, the Democrat who preceded him in office, Underwood continued the desegregation
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
of West Virginia schools without violent confrontation at all levels and was a supporter of civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
legislation. When presented with an order to desegregate the state's school systems, Underwood simply stated that "West Virginia will obey the Law."
The previous governors since 1932 had all been Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. His first act as governor was to go on the new medium of television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and inform every state employee that they were fired. He stated that this was the only way to destroy the corrupt "machine" system. He later advocated an organized civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
and retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
system, and provided temporary employment relief for low-income families. Underwood was also instrumental in the creation of the West Virginia Mental Health Department, and oversaw creation of the interstate highway
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
in the state,
Underwood also oversaw the last three executions
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
in the state, all taking place in 1959.
Activities in between terms as governor
Because West Virginia's state ConstitutionConstitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms at that time, Underwood ran for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1960, but was defeated by incumbent Democrat Jennings Randolph
Jennings Randolph
Jennings Randolph was an American politician from West Virginia. He was a member of the Democratic Party and was the last surviving member of the United States Congress to have served during the first 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration.-Early life and career:Randolph was born in...
. He was nominated again for governor in 1964 but was defeated again, and then lost the Republican primary for governor to Arch Moore
Arch Moore
Arch Moore is the name of:*Archie Moore , light heavyweight world boxing champion*Archie Moore , former Major League Baseball player*Arch A. Moore, Jr. , Governor of West Virginia...
in 1968. He was nominated again for governor in 1976, losing to Democrat Jay Rockefeller
Jay Rockefeller
John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984, while in office as Governor of West Virginia, a position he held from 1977 to 1985...
by 250,000, which would become his largest defeat.
During the 1960s, he was named temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
and was once considered for the office of Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
under Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Two weeks after losing the senate race in 1960, Underwood went to work for the Island Creek Coal Company and Monsanto Chemical Company as well as forming his own land development company. He was associated as well with the Software Valley Corporation in Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
. He continued his academic career by serving as President of Bethany College
Bethany College (West Virginia)
Bethany College is a private liberal arts college located in Bethany, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1840, Bethany is the oldest institution of Higher Education in West Virginia.-Location:...
and instructor of political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
. He also served as president of the National Association of State Councils on Vocational Education.
Second term as governor
Underwood was elected again to the office of Governor of West Virginia in 1996 under the banner "Better Government, not Bigger Government", carrying 38 of the state's 55 counties. His main support in this election came from a group of conservative Democrats known as "Democrats for Underwood" who opposed Charlotte PrittCharlotte Pritt
Charlotte Pritt is an educator, businesswoman, and politician in the U.S. state of West Virginia. From 1984 to 1988, she served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. From 1988 to 1996, she served in the West Virginia State Senate...
, who had run a write-in campaign against then-governor Gaston Caperton
Gaston Caperton
William Gaston Caperton III was the 31st Governor of the U.S. state of West Virginia from 1989 until 1997. He is currently the president of the College Board, which administers the nationally recognized SAT and AP tests. Caperton announced his intention to step down as president of the College...
four years earlier, and had won a multi-candidate primary in this election cycle.
During his governorship, he enabled the Governor's Commission of Fair Taxation, which was a thorough review of the state's tax structure. The Commission made numerous recommendations for improvement. He also streamlined administrative costs from education and other government sectors.
In October 1999, Underwood was selected by the Governors of the Appalachian states to serve as West Virginia's co-chairman for the Appalachian Regional Commission
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life...
for 2000.
Underwood was the only sitting Republican governor defeated for re-election in 2000, narrowly losing to Democrat Bob Wise
Bob Wise
Robert Ellsworth "Bob" Wise, Jr. is an American politician. A Democrat, Wise served as the 33rd Governor of West Virginia from January 2001 to January 2005.-Early life:...
.
Post-political career
His wife, former first lady Hovah Hall UnderwoodHovah Hall Underwood
Hovah Hall Underwood was an American from West Virginia. She was a Methodist. She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood and served as that state's First Lady 1957-1961 and 1997-2001....
, died on September 24, 2004 from complications of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
.
Cecil Underwood suffered a minor stroke in March 2006 and was hospitalized several times after that.
In early 2008, Underwood suffered a major stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and lost the ability to formulate
Expressive aphasia
Expressive aphasia , also known as Broca's aphasia in clinical neuropsychology and agrammatic aphasia in cognitive neuropsychology, is caused by damage to or developmental issues in anterior regions of the brain, including the left posterior inferior frontal gyrus known as Broca's area...
speech; he later had a severe blood infection. In June, he was admitted to a nursing facility before returning to his Charleston residence, where he received round-the-clock care.
Underwood was admitted to the Charleston Area Medical Center's Memorial Hospital on November 23, 2008 for chest congestion, and doctors found some slight bleeding in the brain. He died the following day, and is survived by one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. His body was donated to Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
's Joan C. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards was a New Orleans jazz singer and well-known West Virginia-based philanthropist.- Biography :Born Joan Cavill in London, England, she moved to New Orleans at the age of four...
School of Medicine.