George S. Patton | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:George_Smith_Patton_1856-1927.jpg) c. 1916 | |
| Mayor of San Marino, California | |
| In office October 11, 1922 – August 13, 1924 | |
| Preceded by | William L. Valentine |
| Succeeded by | Richard H. Lacy |
| In office April 15, 1913 – April 16, 1922 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | William L. Valentine |
| Los Angeles County District Attorney | |
| In office January 3, 1887 – April 4, 1887 | |
| Preceded by | George M. Holton |
| Succeeded by | J. R. Dupuy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George William Patton September 30, 1856 Charleston, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | June 10, 1927 (aged 70) San Marino, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Ruth Wilson (m. 1884) |
| Relations | Benjamin Davis Wilson (father-in-law) |
| Children | 2, including George S. Patton Jr. (1885–1945) |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | Virginia Military Institute |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | California National Guard |
| Years of service | c. 1880s |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 1st Brigade |
George Smith Patton (September 30, 1856 – June 10, 1927) was an American attorney, businessman and politician who served as Los Angeles County District Attorney and the first mayor of San Marino, California.
Patton was the son of Susan Thornton Glassell and George S. Patton Sr., a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War. His mother moved to California after his father was killed during the war, and Patton was educated in Los Angeles. He returned to Virginia to attend Virginia Military Institute, from which he graduated in 1877. After studying law at his uncle's firm, he was admitted to the bar and practiced in Los Angeles. He served in local offices including school board member. He was elected County District Attorney in 1887.
Patton married the daughter of Benjamin Davis Wilson, one of California's wealthiest men, and moved with his family to a San Gabriel estate called Lake Vineyard. He was active in politics as a Democrat and made unsuccessful races for Congress in 1894 and 1896. When San Marino was incorporated as a city separate from San Gabriel, he was elected San Marino's first mayor, a post he held from 1913 to 1922 and 1922 to 1924. In 1916 he was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator.
A longtime friend of Henry E. Huntington, in 1902 Patton became an executive in Huntington's real estate development company, and played a major role in developing the San Gabriel Valley and other areas of southern California. He died in San Marino in 1927, and was buried at San Gabriel Cemetery in San Gabriel. Patton was the father of two children, including General George S. Patton.