Community celebrates WV native accepting presidential nomination 100 years ago

CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) – On August 11, 1924, lawyer and politician John W. Davis came to Clarksburg to accept the Democratic presidential nomination.

At the time, he was living and working in New York as an attorney.

He ran against Calvin Coolidge, the Republican candidate.

Even though he didn’t win, he’s still the only person from West Virginia to be the nominee for a major political party.

To honor him and his accomplishments, a centennial commemoration program was held Sunday at the Waldomore.

Special guest Cyrus Vance Jr. was at the program.

Vance came to Clarksburg for the weekend with his wife to learn more about his father, Cyrus Vance Sr., and the relationship his dad had with Davis.

“I really was here just to help explain to the community here who’s interested in my father how much this community mattered to him and how important it was to him, and equally how important John W. Davis was to him, and I think the community can take real pride in these two men, ” said Vance.

Vance and his wife, Peg, visited the Clarksburg History Museum and the historic Amy Roberts Vance home on Main Street as well, where his grandmother used to live.

There was also a recreation of the night Davis accepted his nomination.

“It means everything to me,” said Davis. “I chose to be here, to accept the nomination among the people that I grew up with, my friends, my coworkers; it was of paramount importance for me to be here among the people of Clarksburg and West Virginia.”

It was great for Davis to be back in his hometown, and he wants the next generation of people in Harrison County to remember him in a positive light.

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