R. Gregg Cherry
Encyclopedia
Robert Gregg Cherry was the 61st Governor
of the state of North Carolina
from 1945 to 1949.
, Cherry grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina
with relatives after the death of his parents. He earned bachelor's and law degrees at Trinity College (now Duke University
). He organized and led a volunteer artillery company during World War I
.
Cherry served as mayor
of Gastonia, as a member and speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
, as chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party
(1937–1940), and as a member of the North Carolina Senate
. In Gastonia, it was joked that he was the best lawyer in town when sober, and the second-best lawyer in town when drunk.
In 1944, Cherry was elected governor as the last in a series of governors affiliated with the political machine of former Gov. O. Max Gardner. Gov. Cherry inherited an economy facing material and labor shortages as a result of the ongoing Second World War. One of his primary focuses during his term was the improvement of mental health care at state-run facilities. Cherry Hospital
in Goldsboro, North Carolina
, is named for him.
Unlike other Southern Democratic governors, Cherry supported Harry S. Truman
for re-election in 1948
. Cherry retired from politics and returned to the practice of law after his one term as governor (the maximum then allowed by the state constitution).
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
of the state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
from 1945 to 1949.
Biography
Born in South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, Cherry grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
with relatives after the death of his parents. He earned bachelor's and law degrees at Trinity College (now Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
). He organized and led a volunteer artillery company during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Cherry served as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Gastonia, as a member and speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
, as chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina Democratic Party
The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...
(1937–1940), and as a member of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
. In Gastonia, it was joked that he was the best lawyer in town when sober, and the second-best lawyer in town when drunk.
In 1944, Cherry was elected governor as the last in a series of governors affiliated with the political machine of former Gov. O. Max Gardner. Gov. Cherry inherited an economy facing material and labor shortages as a result of the ongoing Second World War. One of his primary focuses during his term was the improvement of mental health care at state-run facilities. Cherry Hospital
Cherry Hospital
Cherry Hospital is a 274-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It serves the citizens of 33 Eastern North Carolina counties. It is operated by the state of North Carolina and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Cherry Hospital has 6 major...
in Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
, is named for him.
Unlike other Southern Democratic governors, Cherry supported Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
for re-election in 1948
United States presidential election, 1948
The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most historians as the greatest election upset in American history. Virtually every prediction indicated that incumbent President Harry S. Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas E. Dewey. Truman won, overcoming a three-way...
. Cherry retired from politics and returned to the practice of law after his one term as governor (the maximum then allowed by the state constitution).