Governor Herman Guy Kump

Born in Capon Springs, West Virginia, HERMAN GUY KUMP received an LL.B. degree from the University of Virginia in 1905 and began the practice of law in Elkins, West Virginia. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Randolph County, Virginia in 1908 and 1916. After serving as an Army Captain in World War I, he became Mayor of Elkins. He was also elected Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of West Virginia, serving from 1928 until 1932, when he ran for governor. Serving as governor during the Great Depression, he oversaw cuts in the salaries of all state public officials, granting of emergency powers to the commissioner of banking, the enactment of unemployment compensation, and passage of a tax limitation amendment. After leaving office, Kump returned to the practice of law. He died at his home in Elkins, West Virginia.