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James M. Guiher Sr., Lawyer and Politician, Papers

 Collection
Collection Number: A&M 3464

Overview

Papers of James M. Guiher, Sr. (1897-1965), a lawyer, politician, and community leader from Clarksburg, West Virginia. The collection includes biographical information, obituaries, letters of condolence, passports, publications, and photographs; there are records relating to Louis A. Johnson, the 316th Infantry Association, Sigma Nu fraternity (including six photographs), and West Virginia University. There is genealogy information regarding the Hart and Brownfield families. Also includes two student drawings and print by artist James Davis (n.d.), and article regarding the WVU permanent art collection (1972). Born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, James M. Guiher earned an A.B. degree from West Virginia University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He was a veteran of World War I, serving as a first lieutenant in the 316th Infantry, 79th Division, and was seriously wounded in action near Verdun, France. A noted trial lawyer, Guiher became a senior member of the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson at their Clarksburg office. Guiher was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates from Harrison County, 1927-1928, and was a director of the Union National Bank, the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion. He was a dynamic community leader in Clarksburg and participated actively in several fraternal organizations. Guiher also served as the president of the West Virginia University Foundation and was awarded WVU's Order of Vandalia. He was a close friend of fellow attorney, Louis A. Johnson, who was 2nd Secretary of Defense from 1949-1950.

Dates

  • Creation: 1915-1983

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Biographical / Historical

Born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, James M. Guiher earned an A.B. degree from West Virginia University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He was a veteran of World War I, serving as a first lieutenant in the 316th Infantry, 79th Division, and was seriously wounded in action near Verdun, France. A noted trial lawyer, Guiher became a senior member of the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson at their Clarksburg office. Guiher was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates from Harrison County, 1927-1928, and was a director of the Union National Bank, the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion. He was a dynamic community leader in Clarksburg and participated actively in several fraternal organizations. Guiher also served as the president of the West Virginia University Foundation and was awarded WVU's Order of Vandalia. He was a close friend of fellow attorney, Louis A. Johnson, who was 2nd Secretary of Defense from 1949-1950.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet (Summary: 8 1/2 in. (1 document case, 5 in.); (1 small flat storage box, 3 1/2 in.))

Physical Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Title
James M. Guiher Sr., Lawyer and Politician, Papers, 1915-1983
Author
Staff of the West Virginia & Regional History Center
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository

Contact:
1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown WV 26506-6069 US
304-293-3536