West Virginia Governor. He worked at a variety of jobs including farm hand and coal miner before becoming a school teacher and serving as the town of Parson's School Superintendent. He then attended West Virginia University, received a law degree in 1893, and became an attorney in Parsons, where he also founded and edited the Parsons Advocate newspaper. He served on the Parsons City Council from 1896 to 1899, and as Mayor from 1896 to 1897. In 1897 Conley became Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney, serving until 1905, and In 1903 he moved to Kingwood, where he served on the City Council from 1903 to 1905, and as Mayor from 1906 to 1908. In 1908 Conley was appointed state Attorney General, winning election to the office later the same year and serving until 1913. In 1912 he was the Republican nominee for a seat in the US House of Representatives, which he lost by 14 votes, afterwards practicing law in Charleston. In 1924 Conley was appointed to the State Board of Education, serving until 1929. In 1928 he was the successful Republican nominee for Governor and served the one term then allowed by law, 1929 to 1933. His term was marked be efforts to combat the effects of the Great Depression, including a budget deficit and a sustained drought. In 1932 he presided over the dedication of the new State Capitol, which was built to replace the one that burned in 1921. After his term Conley returned to practicing law in Charleston.
West Virginia Governor. He worked at a variety of jobs including farm hand and coal miner before becoming a school teacher and serving as the town of Parson's School Superintendent. He then attended West Virginia University, received a law degree in 1893, and became an attorney in Parsons, where he also founded and edited the Parsons Advocate newspaper. He served on the Parsons City Council from 1896 to 1899, and as Mayor from 1896 to 1897. In 1897 Conley became Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney, serving until 1905, and In 1903 he moved to Kingwood, where he served on the City Council from 1903 to 1905, and as Mayor from 1906 to 1908. In 1908 Conley was appointed state Attorney General, winning election to the office later the same year and serving until 1913. In 1912 he was the Republican nominee for a seat in the US House of Representatives, which he lost by 14 votes, afterwards practicing law in Charleston. In 1924 Conley was appointed to the State Board of Education, serving until 1929. In 1928 he was the successful Republican nominee for Governor and served the one term then allowed by law, 1929 to 1933. His term was marked be efforts to combat the effects of the Great Depression, including a budget deficit and a sustained drought. In 1932 he presided over the dedication of the new State Capitol, which was built to replace the one that burned in 1921. After his term Conley returned to practicing law in Charleston.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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