Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Greenland Thompson Federer (1888-1961)

From the 1926 West Virginia Blue Book.

  The Strangest Names in American Political History makes its first stop in West Virginia for 2023 with a profile on Greenland Thompson Federer, a one-term member of the state house of delegates. A native of Pennsylvania, Greenland "Green" Federer was born in Washington County on July 29, 1888, the son of the Rev. George Andrew and Dora (McKenna) Federer. 
  Removing to West Virginia with his family in 1897, the Federers settled on a farm in Preston County, and Greenland later graduated from the Fairmount State Normal School. As a resident of Gladesville, Federer established a meat market in that area, using a horse and wagon to deliver his product. A veteran of WWI, Greenland Federer served with the Army's 80th Infantry Division in France and was honorably discharged following the close of the hostilities.
  After returning to West Virginia Federer married Thora L. Robinson (1899-1993) in 1920, to who he was wed for forty years. The couple had two daughters, Eleanor (1921-2015) and Eloise. Residing in Morgantown, Federer announced his candidacy for the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1924 from Monongalia County. Running on the Republican ticket, Federer was elected that November, polling 6,818 votes. Taking his seat in January 1925, Federer served one term and was a member of the committees on Prohibition and Temperance, Redistricting, State Boundaries, and Taxation and Finance.
  "Green" Federer continued residence in Morgantown following his term and is recorded as operating several meat markets in that area. He continued in his vocation until WWII and afterwards worked as a real estate broker. Little is known of the remainder of his life, except notice of his death in Morgantown on October 8, 1961, aged 73. He was survived by his wife and daughters and was interred at the East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.

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