Okey L. Patteson

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Okey L. Patteson

Okey Leonidas Patteson (born September 14, 1898 in Dingess , Mingo County , West Virginia , † July 3, 1989 in Beckley , West Virginia) was an American politician and from 1949 to 1953 the 23rd governor of the state of West Virginia.

Early years and political advancement

Okey Patteson attended West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Carnegie Institute of Technology . He then worked as a car salesman and real estate agent in Mount Hope . After a hunting accident in 1932, both legs below the knee had to be removed. Between 1935 and 1941 Patteson was employed by the Fayette County District Court . He then became the sheriff of that county until 1945 . In 1944 he was the campaign manager for Clarence W. Meadows . After his successful election as governor, he appointed Patteson as his personal assistant. Four years later, Patteson himself was elected as the Democratic Party candidate for governor of West Virginia, with 57:43 percent of the vote against Republican Herbert Stephenson Boreman .

West Virginia Governor

Patteson began his four-year term on January 17, 1949. During this time he was particularly committed to health policy. At that time the health committee, the so-called "Board of Health", was founded. The West Virginia University led a four-year medical degree programs. This also included dentistry and the training of nurses. However, the location of these faculties was controversial. Instead of placing them in the middle of the country, these institutes were moved to Morgantown, almost on the Pennsylvania border . During his tenure, the municipalities were allowed to raise their own sales taxes. In 1952 the Toll Commission was established in West Virginia.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended, Patteson initially worked in the Mount Hope real estate business. Then he was appointed general manager of the West Virginia Toll Company. He was later back in the real estate business in Charleston . He also became President of Raleigh County Bank . Okey Patteson died in 1989 at the age of 90. He was married to Viole Lee Hawse, with whom he had two children.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ ourcampaigns.com: West Virginia Governor Election, 1948
personal data
SURNAME Patteson, Okey L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Patteson, Okey Leonidas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician, governor of West Virginia
DATE OF BIRTH September 14, 1898
PLACE OF BIRTH Dingess , West Virginia
DATE OF DEATH 3rd July 1989
Place of death Beckley , West Virginia