Robert E. Pattison

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Robert Emory Pattison
Robert Emory Pattison

Robert Emory Pattison (8 December 1850 - 1 August 1904) was governor of Pennsylvania from 1883 to 1887 and 1891 to 1895. Born at Quantico in Somerset County, Maryland, Pattison's family moved to Philadelphia when he was five. He practiced law from 1872 to 1877 and was elected Controller of the city of Philadelphia in 1880. He was the Democratic candidate for governor at the young age of 32, and, with little experience in public office, took the governor's office back from a succession of Republican administrations. Under the constitution of 1874, Pennsylvania governors, now serving a 4-year term, were prevented from seeking two consecutive terms. Pattison's opponent in the 1882 election, James Addams Beaver, held the post for a term before Pattison sought the office once again in 1890. During his second term, he ordered state militia to halt the Homestead Strike.


Preceded by
Henry Martin Hoyt
Governor of Pennsylvania
18831887
Succeeded by
James Addams Beaver
Preceded by
James Addams Beaver
Governor of Pennsylvania
18911895
Succeeded by
Daniel Hartman Hastings