Today in Wheeling History: April 16--Arch Alfred Moore Jr., future governor of West Virginia, was born in Moundsville, where he would later represent Wheeling and surrounding region in the U.S. House of Representatives and play a significant role in local political campaigns and events (1923).
Arch Alfred Moore Jr. (1923–2015) was a prominent political figure from the Wheeling area, serving as the 28th and 30th governor of West Virginia. Born on April 16, 1923, in Moundsville, just outside Wheeling, he grew up in the industrial northern panhandle of the state. Moore excelled in basketball at Moundsville High School and briefly attended Lafayette College before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving as a sergeant in the 334th Infantry Regiment, he was severely wounded in Germany in 1944, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
After the war, Moore attended West Virginia University, where he earned a degree in political science and later a law degree. He began his political career in 1952 as a state legislator and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957 to 1969, representing West Virginia's 1st Congressional District, which includes Wheeling. Moore was actively involved in political campaigns and events in Wheeling, including Richard Nixon's campaign visit to the city in 1964, where Moore was among the Republican candidates supported. Moore was elected governor in 1968 and served two non-consecutive terms, focusing on infrastructure and economic development. Despite his achievements, his career ended in controversy due to corruption charges, leading to a prison sentence in the 1990s.
Moore passed away on January 7, 2015, in Charleston, West Virginia, leaving a complex legacy.
To learn more: Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/y3jy8j96), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3dz8pwz3)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, State of West Virginia, West Virginia & Regional History Center
Arch Alfred Moore Jr. (1923–2015) was a prominent political figure from the Wheeling area, serving as the 28th and 30th governor of West Virginia. Born on April 16, 1923, in Moundsville, just outside Wheeling, he grew up in the industrial northern panhandle of the state. Moore excelled in basketball at Moundsville High School and briefly attended Lafayette College before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving as a sergeant in the 334th Infantry Regiment, he was severely wounded in Germany in 1944, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
After the war, Moore attended West Virginia University, where he earned a degree in political science and later a law degree. He began his political career in 1952 as a state legislator and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957 to 1969, representing West Virginia's 1st Congressional District, which includes Wheeling. Moore was actively involved in political campaigns and events in Wheeling, including Richard Nixon's campaign visit to the city in 1964, where Moore was among the Republican candidates supported. Moore was elected governor in 1968 and served two non-consecutive terms, focusing on infrastructure and economic development. Despite his achievements, his career ended in controversy due to corruption charges, leading to a prison sentence in the 1990s.
Moore passed away on January 7, 2015, in Charleston, West Virginia, leaving a complex legacy.
To learn more: Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/y3jy8j96), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3dz8pwz3)
Photo credits: Find a Grave, State of West Virginia, West Virginia & Regional History Center
RSS Feed
