Robert H. Gittins Explained

Robert H. Gittins
State:New York
Term Start:March 4, 1913
Term End:March 3, 1915
Predecessor:District created
Successor:S. Wallace Dempsey
Office2:Member of the New York Senate
from the 47th district
Term Start2:1911
Term End2:1912
Predecessor2:James P. Mackenzie
Successor2:George F. Thompson
Birth Name:Robert Henry Gittins
Birth Date:14 December 1869
Birth Place:Oswego, New York, U.S.
Death Place:Tuxedo, New York, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:University of Michigan Law School

Robert Henry Gittins (December 14, 1869 – December 25, 1957) was an American lawyer, newspaper publisher and politician from New York. He served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1913 to 1915.

Life

Gittins was born in Oswego, New York and attended St. Paul's Academy there. He engaged in the lumber, grain, and coal business and graduated from University of Michigan Law School in 1900.

Early career

He was admitted to the bar in Michigan and New York the same year and commenced the practice of law at Niagara Falls, New York, in 1901.

Gittins was a member of the New York State Senate (47th D.) in 1911 and 1912; and a delegate to the 1912 Democratic National Convention.

Congress

Gittins was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1913, to March 3, 1915.

Later career and death

Gittins was owner and publisher of the Niagara Falls Journal from 1914 to 1918; and was Postmaster of Niagara Falls from October 16, 1916, to January 21, 1920. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law, and was appointed commissioner of the Niagara Falls State Park in 1918, serving until 1940.

Gittins moved to New York City in 1923 and continued the practice of law until 1956. He resided in Sloatsburg, New York, until his death at Tuxedo Memorial Hospital in Tuxedo Park on December 25, 1957.

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