US Congressman. This native of York, Pennsylvania moved to Bridgeport, Ohio in 1830 where he began a career as a machinist and wheelwright. The Republican was elected to represent his district in the Thirty-Sixth Congress from 1859 to 1861. He lost his bid for re-election but remained in Washington DC when he was appointed to a seat on the US Patent Office's Board of Appeals. On August 15, 1865 he was appointed commissioner of the US Patent office. In his new position the former Congressman faced several post -Civil War issues, including how to deal with the large numbers of new patent requests that flooded the office. Theaker also had to address the issue of what to do with requests from "citizens of the states in the rebellion". After consultation, President Andrew Johnson decided that each "former Confederate" applicant must present an authenticated copy of their amnesty oath to the patent office and that those who were of the "excluded class" must present evidence of a pardon. Under his leadership the number of patents applied for increased by up to forty per cent annually and new larger work spaces were gained for the fast growing Patent Office. He resigned and left this position in January of 1868.
US Congressman. This native of York, Pennsylvania moved to Bridgeport, Ohio in 1830 where he began a career as a machinist and wheelwright. The Republican was elected to represent his district in the Thirty-Sixth Congress from 1859 to 1861. He lost his bid for re-election but remained in Washington DC when he was appointed to a seat on the US Patent Office's Board of Appeals. On August 15, 1865 he was appointed commissioner of the US Patent office. In his new position the former Congressman faced several post -Civil War issues, including how to deal with the large numbers of new patent requests that flooded the office. Theaker also had to address the issue of what to do with requests from "citizens of the states in the rebellion". After consultation, President Andrew Johnson decided that each "former Confederate" applicant must present an authenticated copy of their amnesty oath to the patent office and that those who were of the "excluded class" must present evidence of a pardon. Under his leadership the number of patents applied for increased by up to forty per cent annually and new larger work spaces were gained for the fast growing Patent Office. He resigned and left this position in January of 1868.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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