Minetree Folkes

Minetree Folkes
Photo of Folkes, c. 1925
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the Henrico, Chesterfield and Colonial Heights district
In office
1954 – December 22, 1959
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from 's Richmond district
In office
1938–1942
Personal details
Born
Minetree Folkes Jr.

Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Died (aged 51)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Resting placeHollywood Cemetery
SpouseFrances Thornton
Alma materVirginia Military Institute (BS)
University of Richmond School of Law (LLB)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

Minetree Folkes Jr. (died December 22, 1959) was an American politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1938 to 1942 and from 1954 to his death in 1959.

Early life

Minetree Folkes Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Mary (née Wily) and Minetree Folkes. His father served as commonwealth's attorney in Richmond.[1] He attended public schools in Richmond and graduated from John Marshall High School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Richmond School of Law.[1][2][3]

Career

Folkes worked as a lawyer in Richmond.[1] He served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Richmond, from 1938 to 1942.[1] In 1942, he enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served with the 19th Marine Regiment and fought at the Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. He was wounded at Iwo Jima and attained the rank of major during his service. He retired in 1946.[1][4][5]

In 1946 and 1950, Folkes ran for the Virginia's 3rd congressional district seat, but lost to J. Vaughan Gary in both Democratic primary elections. In 1949, he was the 3rd district campaign manager for Francis Pickens Miller during his gubernatorial primary race. In the 1952 gubernatorial race, he supported Harry F. Byrd over Miller.[1] From 1954 to his death, Folkes served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Henrico, Chesterfield and Colonial Heights. In 1958, he was a member of the currency and commerce, privileges and elections, roads and internal navigation and the Chesepeake and its tributaries committees. At the time of his death, he was chairman and public representative on the Richmond Milk Board.[1]

Folkes was vice president of the board of visitors of the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind starting in 1938.[1][4]

Personal life

Folkes married Frances Thornton. He had a stepdaughter, Elizabeth.[1] He was a member of the Episcopal Church. He lived on College Road in Richmond.[1]

Folkes died from heart disease on December 22, 1959, aged 51, at a hospital in Richmond. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Minetree Folkes Jr., Delegate in State Assembly, Dies at 51". Richmond Times-Dispatch. December 23, 1959. p. 5. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  2. ^ "State Legislator Minetree Folkes Dies at Age 51". The Daily Progress. December 22, 1959. p. 14. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  3. ^ Catalogue of Richmond College, Richmond, VA., Session 1892–'93. J. L. Hill Printing Company. 1893. p. 31. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  4. ^ a b "Del. Folkes' Funeral Held at St. James's". Richmond News Leader. December 23, 1959. p. 5. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ Shaw Jr., Henry I.; Kane, Douglas T. (1963). Isolation of Rabaul: History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II. Vol. 2. p. 576. Retrieved September 27, 2024 – via Archive.org.Open access icon