I. L. Patterson

Isaac Lee Patterson ( born September 17, 1859 Benton County, Oregon, † December 21, 1929 ) was an American politician and from 1927 to 1929 the 18th Governor of the State of Oregon.

Early years and political rise

Isaac Patterson grew up on his parents' farm and later attended the Christian College in Monmouth. After that, he was an employee and part-owner of a retail business. In the following years, Patterson was also active in other areas. He acted with sheep's wool and animal skins, he was a farmer and real estate agent.

Patterson was a member of the Republican Party. In 1898 he was elected for four years in the Senate of Oregon. At the same time, he was head of the Federal Customs Service in Portland. He held this office 1898-1906. Thereafter he devoted himself to his own business interests. Politically, he was in the years to 1918 only within his party active. In 1918 he was again elected to the State Senate. In the gubernatorial election of 1922, he could not prevail in the primaries of his party. Nevertheless, he was chairman of the 1924 Republican in Oregon. This year he was in Oregon also campaign manager for Calvin Coolidge's presidential campaign. In 1926 he was nominated by his party as a candidate for the gubernatorial election and was the Democratic incumbent Walter M. Pierce defeat in the elections.

Governor of Oregon

Patterson took up his new post on January 10, 1927. During his tenure, he ran a frugal budget policy. He saw through the construction of new schools to improve education. In addition, a committee was established to monitor the performance of the universities. Some authorities have been reformed and control of the prisons was transferred from the Governor to a specially designated committee ( State Board of Control). The governor also continued the already initiated by his predecessors expansion of the road network in Oregon.

Isaac Patterson died unexpectedly on December 21 in 1929 during his tenure with pneumonia. He was married to Mary E. Woodworth, with whom he had two children.