John M. Pattison is Born

Today in Masonic History John M. Pattison is born in 1847.

John M. Pattison was an American politician.

Pattison was born on June 13th, 1847 near Owensville, Ohio. At the age of 16 he joined the Union Army and fought during the American Civil War. After the war he attended Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1869. After that he attended and graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1872. He was admitted to the bar that same year.

Pattison served briefly in the Ohio State House of Representatives. After he served as President of Union Mutual Life Insurance Company.

By 1890, Pattison had served in the Ohio State Senate. In 1890 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served only one term when he lost his reelection bid.

In 1905, Pattison was elected as the 43rd Governor of Ohio. He was inaugurated on January 6th, 1906. He left his inauguration feeling ill. It was the last time he was in the executive office. He directed the government of Ohio from his bed for almost 6 months.

Pattison passed away on June 18th, 1906. He passed away from Bright's Disease, an inflammation of the kidneys.

Pattison was a member of Milford Lodge No. 54 in Milford, Ohio.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.