George E. Alter

George Elias Alter

c. 1922 photograph
Attorney General of Pennsylvania
In office
December 14, 1920 – January 16, 1923
Preceded by William I. Schaffer
Succeeded by George Washington Woodruff
Personal details
Born (1868-05-08)May 8, 1868
Springdale, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Died August 18, 1940(1940-08-18) (aged 71)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Diana J. Swanton
Children 4

George Elias Alter (May 8, 1868 – August 18, 1940) was a Pennsylvania lawyer and politician, who served a term as state Attorney General.

Life and career

Alter was born the son of Elias and Martha Ferson Alter. Elias was a carpenter, involved in local school politics. Elias's aunt, Susanna Alter, had been the wife of former Pennsylvania governor Joseph Ritner. Alter was educated at public schools, read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1893.[1]

In 1902, he married Diana J. Swanton.[2] They would have four children.[3]

Alter was involved in local school politics, and then he was elected to three terms in the state House of Representatives: 1908, 1910, 1912. He then served as Speaker of the House, 1913–14.[4]

Late in 1920, Attorney General William I. Schaffer was appointed to the state Supreme Court, and Alter was appointed in his place. In 1922, while Attorney General, Alter campaigned for Governor, and with the backing of the party, was expected to win the Republican nomination. Gifford Pinchot ran against him, and defeated Alter in a close election, partly with a strong showing among women voters, and went on to win the full election.[5][6]

From 1924 to 1925, Alter was president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. From 1927–32, he was a member of a commission on uniform State laws.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Jordan 1908, pp. 73–75.
  2. ↑ Jordan 1908, p. 75.
  3. 1 2 "George E. Alter, Leader of Bar, 72". The New York Times. August 19, 1940. p. 17.
  4. ↑ Smull 1922, p. 318pp.
  5. ↑ "Defeat of Pinchot by Machine Likely: Margin of 350,000 for Alter in Pennsylvania Predicted by Vare, Contractor-Politician". The New York Times. May 14, 1922. p. 5.
  6. ↑ "Pinchot's Majority 13,737". The New York Times. May 27, 1922. p. 2.

Further reading

Legal offices
Preceded by
William I. Schaffer		 Pennsylvania Attorney General
1920–1923 		Succeeded by
George Washington Woodruff
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