William Ellsworth Glasscock (December 13, 1862 – April 12, 1925) was an American politician who served as the 13th Governor of West Virginia as a Republican from 1909 to 1913.

William E. Glasscock
13th Governor of West Virginia
In office
March 4, 1909 – March 14, 1913
Preceded byWilliam M. O. Dawson
Succeeded byHenry D. Hatfield
Personal details
Born(1862-12-13)December 13, 1862
Monongalia County, Virginia
(now West Virginia)
DiedApril 12, 1925(1925-04-12) (aged 62)
Morgantown, West Virginia
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Miller Glasscock
ProfessionPolitician

Glasscock worked for several years as a teacher, becoming the superintendent of schools in 1887 before leaving education to become the clerk of the county circuit court in 1890.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1903 and began practicing law.[1] He worked as an attorney for Senator Stephen B. Elkins. At Elkins' recommendation, Glasscock was appointed as the internal revenue collection for the District of West Virginia in 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt.[1]

In 1908, Glasscock resigned from this position to run for governor. He ran as the Republican nominee for Governor of West Virginia in 1908, beating Louis Bennett Sr. by 12,133 votes.[1] In his last year as governor, he declared martial law three times, sending troops to quell violent Coal Wars. Glasscock then returned to practicing law.

Biography

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Glasscock was born on a farm near Arnettsville, Virginia, now part of Monongalia County, West Virginia on December 13, 1862.[2] He was educated in the local public school system and graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia.[1] In 1888, he married Mary Miller.[3]

He died in Morgantown, West Virginia and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Little, Glade. "William Ellsworth Glasscock". The West Virginia Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  2. ^ Tucker, Gary J. (2008). Governor William E. Glasscock and progressive politics in West Virginia. West Virginia University Press. p. 1. ISBN 9781935978152.
  3. ^ "West Virginia's First Ladies," West Virginia Division of Culture and History, June 2007.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of West Virginia
1908
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of West Virginia
1909–1913
Succeeded by