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 rise

Herman Kump attended until 1905, the University of Virginia. After studying law and admitted to the bar he opened in Elkins in Randolph County, a law firm. As a result, he was the district attorney in this county. During the First World War he served as captain ( Captain ) in the U.S. Army. After the war he became mayor of Elkins. Between 1928 and 1932 he was a judge in the 20th Judicial District of West Virginia. In 1932 he was elected as a candidate of the Democratic Party as the new governor of West Virginia.

Governor of West Virginia

Kumps four-year term began on March 4, 1933 and was marked by the global economic crisis. The budget deficit amounted to about $ 4,000,000. To relieve the citizens of the tax laws were changed and led job creation measures in the way. In this context, the expansion of the road network in West Virginia has been driven. Some county roads were subordinated to the State by an administrative reform. In 1936 a law was adopted to support the unemployed. Over the years, the economic situation improved again, which was also a result of the New Deal policies of the federal government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1937, West Virginia was on the field at a national level as the average of all U.S. states. Under Governor Kump also the school system was reformed. At that time all schools were placed under the circles to allow better management.

Further CV

After the end of his term was re Kump lawyer in Elkins. He was also president of the Citizens National Bank of Elkins ( 1924-1952 ). In the years 1940 and 1942, respectively Kump applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. He died in 1962. Herman Kump was married to Edna Scott, with whom he had six children, including the son of Cyrus Kump, who unsuccessfully sought the 1952 nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of governor.