W. Gregory Hatcher

Werter Gregory Hatcher (September 7, 1876 – November 26, 1960) was an attorney and Texas State Treasurer from 1925–1931.

Early life

Hatcher was born on September 7, 1876 in Cumberland County, Virginia to John H. Hatcher and Lucy Gregory, the youngest of seven children. Hatcher moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and on November 29, 1900, he returned to his native Cumberland County to marry Mary Ellen Coleman.[1]

By 1910, the Hatchers had moved to Dallas, Texas where the 1910 Census records that Hatcher was an attorney. The Hatchers had one daughter, Ellen Frances.

Political career

In the 1924 Texas Democratic Primary, Charles V. Terrell was nominated for a non-consecutive term as Texas State Treasurer. After the primary, Walter Marshall William Splawn, the nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission was appointed President of the University of Texas and the Texas Democratic Central Committee appointed Terrell as the nominee for the Railroad Commission and turned to Hatcher to be the nominee for State Treasurer.[2] In November, Hatcher was elected over Republican candidate Mrs. J. H. Peters by an overwhelming margin.

Hatcher was reelected in 1926, having a spirited primary and runoff, defeating J.R. Ball by a margin of 60%-40%. He is reported during the campaign to have said, "Public office is a public trust and must not be used for private gain." [3]

In the 1928 Democratic Primary, Hatcher defeated Grover Cleveland Harris and went on to beat Republican C.P. Scales by a margin of nearly 2 to 1.[4] In 1930, Hatcher did not seek reelection and he was succeeded by Charley Lockhart.

Hatcher made one more run at political office when he challenged incumbent State Treasurer Jesse James in the 1942 Democratic Primary. James was renominated and easily reelected that year.

Death and burial

Hatcher died in Dallas on November 26, 1960 and was interred in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.[5]


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References
  1. Pretty Home Wedding. Mr. W. G. Hatcher Weds Miss Mary Ellen Coleman.Richmond Times, November 30, 1900 p.3.
  2. The 1928 Texas Almanac, p. 164
  3. A Good Platform. The Commerce (TX) Journal March 12, 1926, Page 4.
  4. The 1931 Texas Almanac, p. 261
  5. Former State Officer, W. G. Hatcher, Dies. Waco (TX) News-Tribune, November 28, 1960, p. 13.
Political offices
Preceded by
Sidney Lee Staples		 Texas State Treasurer
1925–1931		 Succeeded by
Charley Lockhart
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