Trinkle, Elbert Lee

Description

Autograph ID: 6101
Condition: Very good, mail folds
Description: “(1876-1939) 49th Governor of Virginia served 1922-26. Wytheville, Virginia-born lawyer, he served as Democratic Party chairman and an elector in 1916. He served 2 terms in the state Senate before his election as governor. He was a state delegate to the 1924 & 1928 Democratic National Conventions. Trinkle Hall (formally known as Trinkle Library) on the campus of the University of Mary Washington and Trinkle Hall on the campus of the College of William and Mary are both named in his honor, as he helped secure funding to construct the buildings. Trinkle Hall on the Radford University campus is also named for him.

TLS on 11 x 8 1/2 official letterhead as Governor of Virginia, Richmond, March 16 1923, state seal and name printed at top left, to Mrs. John Skelton Williams, Richmond. Gov. Trinkle appoints Mrs. Williams as a delegate to represent the Commonwealth at the 11th Annual Convention of the United States Good Roads Association, meeting in So. Carolina in April. Even true today, Trinkle states: “In my opinion there is nothing of which Virginia stands in need more than better roads. A State or Nation progresses in accordance with her transportation facilities, and I know that we all wish to do our part in helping Virginia build up her highways.” He closes by noting that there are no funds to pay delegate expenses but hopes she will be able to attend and “…to bring back to Virginia much valuable and helpful information.”

JOHN SKELTON WILLIAMS (1865-1926) Comptroller of the Currency 1914-21 (Wilson) after serving as Asst. Secretary of the Treasury, 1st president of the Seaboard Air Line Railway (1900-03).”
Type: Letter