John C. B. Ehringhaus

John Christoph Blucher Ehringhaus (5 February 1882ndash 31 July 1949) was the Democratic governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1933 to 1937.

Gov. O. Max Gardner coaxed Ehringhaus, a former state legislator and attorney, out of political retirement as his hand-picked successor. He narrowly defeated Lt. Gov. Richard T. Fountain in a Democratic primary runoff. Fountain claimed Ehringhaus was the tool of business interests. [Christensen, Rob. "The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics." 2008: UNC Press. p. 77.]

Serving the state during the Depression, Ehringhaus encouraged the North Carolina General Assembly to create a state agency that would help rural areas of the state receive electricity services in order to revive the lagging economy. [ [http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/HS/HBStudyGuide06.pdf North Carolina Historic Sites] ] He also cut state spending, successfully pushed for a three-cent sales tax, extended the school year and kept the schools open and solvent. [Christensen. p. 89.]

Asked how to say his name, he told "The Literary Digest" "My name is pronounced as if spelled "ear'en-house"." [Charles Earle Funk, "What's the Name, Please?", Funk & Wagnalls, 1936.]

A dormitory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ehringhaus' alma mater (class of 1902) is named in his honor.

The second longest bridge in the state of North Carolina, a 3.5 mile stretch over the Albemarle Sound, is named in honor of this former governor. [ [http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/collateral/articles/s05.who.did.that.sign.say.pdf North Carolina Museum of History] ]

Ehringhaus' grave is located in the historic Episcopal Cemetery in his hometown of Elizabeth City in Northeastern North Carolina, and the city's main thoroughfare, Ehringhaus Street, is named in his honor.

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External links

* [http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/183/entry North Carolina History Project]
* [http://preview.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=735a078c94102110VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Governors Association]