Robert M. Patton

Robert Patton

Robert Miller Patton (born July 10, 1809 in Russell County , Virginia , † February 28, 1885 in Huntsville , Alabama ) was an American politician and the 19th governor of Alabama . He was a member of the United States Whig Party and later the Republican Party .

Early years and political advancement

Robert Miller Patton was born in Virginia. His family then moved to Huntsville, Alabama in 1818, where he attended the Green Academy . Then he began to work as a small trader in Florence in 1829 . In 1832 he embarked on a political career and was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. He was also elected to a special parliament in 1837 that was convened in response to the financial panic and economic crisis of the year. Patton was a member of Alabama Parliament almost continuously between 1837 and 1861. He represented the state in 1860 at the Democratic National Convention in Charleston and at the Secession Convention in Montgomery . He was also a member of the governing bodies of the University of Alabama and Alabama Normal College. Patton also represented his county at the 1865 Constitutional Convention.

Governor of Alabama

Patton was elected the 20th governor of Alabama on November 6, 1865 . He was sworn in on December 13, 1865. He ran for governor as Whig, but later joined the Republican Party. During his tenure, Patton helped raise rations for needy families in the state. He was also successful in reducing the national debt.

In March 1867, the US Congress relieved Patton of his powers when Reconstruction ended with the passage of the Reconstruction Act . Major General John Pope was given command of the 3rd Defense Division and General Wager Swayne remained the commanding officer of Alabama. Patton was formally allowed to remain in office and received a salary, but he could no longer give General Swayne any instructions. His successor as governor was sworn in on July 13, 1868, and Patton resigned from his post on July 24, which also ended the provisional government.

Another résumé

After his political career ended, Patton was active in rebuilding the University of Alabama , which was burned by Union forces during the war. He has also been involved in a wide variety of companies creating and building railways in Alabama. Patton died on February 28, 1885 and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. He was married to Jane Locke Braham and they had nine children together.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Robert Patton in the National Governors Association (English)
• The Political Graveyard (English)
• Robert M. Patton in the database of Find a Grave (English)