West Virginia’s First Governor and Separation from Virginia
In 1863, Arthur Boreman was elected as West Virginia’s first governor, serving from 1863 to 1869 and winning three elections. Boreman then won election to the U.S. Senate, serving from 1869 to 1875.
Boreman referred to West Virginia as a “child of the rebellion” and believed it should have had a separate state existence considering the east-west divide in Virginia.
Inaugural Address and Qualifications for West Virginia Governor
In his inaugural address in Wheeling on June 20, 1863, Boreman served the most consecutive gubernatorial terms, resigning a week before his third term ended. The qualifications to be elected Governor of West Virginia include being a U.S. citizen, living in West Virginia for five years before the election, being qualified to vote in West Virginia, and being at least 30 years old.
West Virginia’s Admission to the Union
West Virginia was originally part of Virginia but became sharply divided over seceding from the Union. This separation was formalized when West Virginia was admitted to the Union as a new state in 1863.