Frank Hatton (American politician)

Frank Hatton (April 28, 1846 – April 30, 1894) was an American politician and newspaperman. He was a Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, served as United States Postmaster General, and later edited The Washington Post.

For other people named Frank Hatton, see Frank Hatton (disambiguation).
Frank Hatton
32nd United States Postmaster General
In office
October 14, 1884 – March 4, 1885
PresidentChester A. Arthur
Preceded byWalter Q. Gresham
Succeeded byWilliam Vilas
18th First Assistant United States Postmaster General
In office
October 22, 1881 – October 13, 1884
Preceded byJames Noble Tyner
Succeeded byJohn Schuyler Crosby
Personal details
Born(1846-04-28)April 28, 1846
Cambridge, Ohio, U.S.
DiedApril 30, 1894(1894-04-30) (aged 48)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeRock Creek Cemetery
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Elizabeth J. Snyder
​
(m. 1867)​
Children1
ProfessionNewspaper editor and publisher
Military service
AllegianceUnited States (Union)
Branch/serviceUnion Army
Years of service1862–1865
RankFirst lieutenant
Unit98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment
184th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Early life

Hatton was born in Cambridge, Ohio on April 28, 1846, a son of Richard Hatton and Sarah (Green) Hatton.[1] He was raised and educated in Cadiz, Ohio and apprenticed to his father, who was a printer and newspaper publisher.[1]

Civil War

Though he was only 16 years old, in 1862 Hatton enlisted for the American Civil War as a private in Company C, 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.[2] His unit served primarily with the Army of the Cumberland, and Hatton took part in numerous engagements including the Battle of Atlanta.[2] In 1864, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant and he served with the 184th Ohio Infantry before being mustered out at the end of the war.[2]

After the war, Hatton was an original member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[3] In addition, he was also one of the organizers of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio.[4]

Early career

After the war, Hatton worked in the newspaper business in Mount Pleasant, Iowa and later in Burlington, Iowa.[1] A Republican who was active as a member of the Stalwart faction,[5] he served as Burlington's Postmaster,[2] and held several party positions, including Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party's Central Committee.[6]

Political career

In 1881, Hatton was a candidate for several federal appointments at the start of the James A. Garfield administration.[7] Garfield died that summer and in October, Hatton was appointed First Assistant Postmaster General during Chester A. Arthur's presidency.[7]

In 1884 he was promoted to Postmaster General when incumbent Walter Q. Gresham became Secretary of the Treasury.[8]

Hatton worked unsuccessfully to nominate President Arthur for a full term at the 1884 Republican National Convention.[9] The nomination was won by James G. Blaine, who went on to lose the general election to Democrat Grover Cleveland.[10] Hatton left office at the end of Arthur's term and returned to the newspaper business.[11]

Later career

Hatton was part-owner and editor of The Washington Post until April 24, 1894, when he was stricken with a massive stroke while working at his desk.[12] Hatton experienced complete paralysis, and was transported to a hospital, where his condition continued to decline.[12]

Death and burial

He died on April 30, 1894, a week after his stroke and two days after his 48th birthday.[13] He was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C.[14]

Family

In 1867, Hatton married Elizabeth J. Snyder (1844-1944) of Mount Pleasant Iowa.[1] They were the parents of a son, Richard Hatton (1872-1939).[1]

Legacy

The town of Hatton, North Dakota was founded in 1882, and is named for Frank Hatton.[15]

References
  1. Cutter, William Richard, ed. (1918). American Biography: A New Cyclopedia. New York, NY: The American Historical Society. pp. 89–90 – via Google Books.
  2. State Historical Society of Iowa (1896). The Iowa Historical Record. Vol. X–XII. Iowa City, IA: H. L. Throop & Co. pp. 142–143.
  3. Carroon, Dr. Robert Girrard; Niermeyer, Douglas Reed (2005). "Original Companions of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States". SUVCW.org. Harrisburg, PA: Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
  4. Grand Army of the Republic (1885). Journal of the National Encampment. Vol. 19. Toledo, OH: Montgomery and Vrooman. p. 19 – via Google Books.
  5. "The Week: President Arthur has now to appoint a new Postmaster-General". The Nation. Vol. XXXVI. New York, NY: The Evening Post Publishing Company. March 29, 1883. p. 263 – via Google Books.
  6. Jackson, Henry A.; Peck, John B., eds. (1879). New York Evening Express Almanac. New York, NY: New York Evening Express. p. 243 – via Google Books.
  7. "Cabinet Nominations: Judge Folger for the Treasury Department". Harrisburg Telegraph. Harrisburg, PA. October 27, 1881. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "First Assistant Hatton Appointed Postmaster General". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. October 15, 1884. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Concentration: Elkins Puts Blaine's Figures to 340 on the First Ballot". St. Paul Globe. Saint Paul, MN. May 30, 1884. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "A Great Party Rebuked: Grover Cleveland's Election to the Presidency". The New York Times. New York, NY. November 6, 1884. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "A New Organ: Frank Hatton to Give Chicago a New Republican Paper". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, MO. June 27, 1885. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Frank Hatton: The Washington Editor Attacked with Total Paralysis". The Times. Philadelphia, PA. April 25, 1894. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Frank Hatton's Life Ended: Dies at Washington After a Week of Unconsciousness" (PDF). The New York Times. New York, NY. May 1, 1894.
  14. "Frank Hatton's Funeral". The San Francisco Call. San Francisco, CA. May 4, 1894. p. 2 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  15. Profiles of America: Minnesota, North Dakota. Fremont CA: Toucan Valley Publications. 1995. p. 107. ISBN 9781884925214. Hatton was founded in 1882 and named for Frank Hatton who was Third Assistant Postmaster General at that time.
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