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Personal papers of James M. Guiher, Jr. (1927- ), Editor and Head of Textbook Division of Prentice-Hall books, and son of James M. Guiher, Sr. (1897-1965), a prominent lawyer, politician, and community leader from Clarksburg, West Virginia. Includes autobiographical material, correspondence, publications, photographs, and other material regarding growing up in Clarksburg, attending Washington Irving High School (Clarksburg, WV), serving in the U.S. Army during WWII, attending Princeton and Harvard Universities, his career at Prentice-Hall, as well as his writings (including essays and plays). The writings regard an evolving view of life influenced by art, existentialism, and experiences in Italy and Greece. There are publications regarding the history of, and places and events in Clarksburg and Harrison County (including booklets, pamphlets, programs, maps, clippings, and post cards; ca. 1953-1999). There is also a group portrait photograph of his father James M. Guiher, Sr. as a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, West Virginia University, 1917. There is a book of historical autographs collected by Guiher, Jr., including those of George Washington and Martha Custis Washington, John and Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, among others. There are also addendums including five portrait photographs (2014-02-24); papers relating to the Guiher, Davis, and Hart families, and related subjects; James M. Guiher Sr.'s service in WWI; four paintings and two artworks (2014-08-29); and three paintings (2015-08-17).

Papers of James M. Guiher, Sr. (1897-1965), a lawyer, politician, and community leader from Clarksburg, West Virginia. The collection includes biographical information, obituaries, letters of condolence, passports, publications, and photographs; there are records relating to Louis A. Johnson, the 316th Infantry Association, Sigma Nu fraternity (including six photographs), and West Virginia University. There is genealogy information regarding the Hart and Brownfield families. Also includes two student drawings and print by artist James Davis (n.d.), and article regarding the WVU permanent art collection (1972). Born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, James M. Guiher earned an A.B. degree from West Virginia University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He was a veteran of World War I, serving as a first lieutenant in the 316th Infantry, 79th Division, and was seriously wounded in action near Verdun, France. A noted trial lawyer, Guiher became a senior member of the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson at their Clarksburg office. Guiher was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates from Harrison County, 1927-1928, and was a director of the Union National Bank, the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion. He was a dynamic community leader in Clarksburg and participated actively in several fraternal organizations. Guiher also served as the president of the West Virginia University Foundation and was awarded WVU's Order of Vandalia. He was a close friend of fellow attorney, Louis A. Johnson, who was 2nd Secretary of Defense from 1949-1950.