Roscoe Conkling Patterson (September 15, 1876 – October 22, 1954) was an American lawyer from Missouri. He was most notable for his service as a United States representative (1921–1923) and a U.S. Senator (1929–1935).
From 1903 to 1907, Patterson served as prosecuting attorney of Greene County.[1] In 1912, Patterson was appointed to the Missouri Republican State Committee, and he served until 1920.[1]
Patterson was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1920 and served in the 67th Congress, March 4, 1921 to March 3, 1923.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1922 and resumed the practice of law in Springfield.[1] He was a presidential electorin 1924.[2]
From 1925 to 1929, Patterson resided in Kansas City, Missouri and was United States district attorney for the western district of Missouri.[1] He resigned in February 1929 in preparation to assume the seat in the United States Senate to which he was elected in November 1928.[1]
U.S. Senate
Patterson won the general election in November 1928.[1] He took his Senate seat the following year and served one term, March 4, 1929, to January 3, 1935.[1] While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Mines and Mining (72nd Congress).[3] His chief legislative accomplishment was sponsorship of the Lindbergh Law, which enabled federal authorities to investigate kidnappings if the victims were transported across state lines.[1]
Patterson served during the Great Depression, which was largely blamed on Republican economic policies.[1] He consistently opposed the New Deal remedies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which made him unpopular in Missouri.[1] As a result, Patterson was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in the 1934 election, losing the general election to the Democratic nominee, Harry S. Truman.[1]
Later career
After leaving the Senate, Patterson resumed the practice of law in Springfield.[4] For several years, Patterson was a member of the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission.[5]
Death and burial
Patterson suffered a stroke in July 1954.[4] His health deteriorated and he died in Springfield on October 22, 1954.[4] He was buried at Maple Park Cemetery in Springfield.[6]
Family
Patterson was married to Ada Holman of Springfield (1877–1957).[7] They were the parents of two children, Paul (1902–1924)[8] and Hadley (1908–1958).[9]
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