Biography

05/16/1808 - 02/12/1880

Findley Patterson (D23) Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield and Indiana Counties 1839-1841

Early Life:

Findley Patterson, born May 16, 1808, Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania; son of Thomas and Elizabeth Findley Patterson; flour manufacturer and dealer; elected, commissioner, Armstrong County, 1837-1838; elected, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1839-1840; not a candidate for reelection, 1841; appointed, state revenue commissioner, 1843; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1845-1846; elected, Speaker, 1845-1846; not a candidate for reelection, 1846; elected, public school director, eighteen years; six-time, delegate, State Democratic Conventions; presidential appointee, receiver, United States Land Office, Ogden, Kansas Territory, 1857-1861; land surveyor; elected, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives 1879-1880; married, Martha J. Bingham Patterson, children, Mary Patterson Vance, Thomas Patterson, Rosannah Patterson Riddle, Martha Jane Patterson, Margaret Patterson Hartford; died while in office, February 12, 1880, Burgettstown, Washington County, Pennsylvania; interment, Hillcrest Cemetery, Burgettstown, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, commissioner, Armstrong County, 1837-1838. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 23rd district, Armstrong, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield and Indiana Counties, 1839-1841; not a candidate for reelection, 1841.

Appointed, state revenue commissioner, 1843. 

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Armstrong County, 1845-1846; elected, 69th Speaker of the House, 1845-1846, not a candidate for reelection, 1846; creation, Pennsylvania first public mental hospital, Act 288 of 1845, establishment, Pennsylvania Railroad, Act 262 of 1846. 

Elected, public school director, eighteen years; six-time, delegate, State Democratic Conventions.

Presidential appointee, receiver, United States Land Office, Ogden, Kansas Territory, President James Buchanan, 1857-1861.

Elected, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Washington County, 1879-1880, died while in office.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Speaker Biography:

Findley Patterson - PA House of Representatives - PA House of Representatives (state.pa.us)

Legacy:

Father, Thomas Patterson, United States Congressman, 1817-1825. Bioguide Search (congress.gov)

Brother, William Patterson, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Speaker of the House, 1833-1834.

William Patterson - PA House of Representatives - PA House of Representatives (state.pa.us)

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members P". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Findley Patterson (1808-1880) - Find a Grave Memorial