Frank Hatton (April 28, 1846 – April 30, 1894) was an American politician and newspaperman. He was a Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, served as United States Postmaster General, and later edited The Washington Post.

Hatton was born in Cambridge, Ohio on April 28, 1846, a son of Richard Hatton and Sarah (Green) Hatton.^[1] He was raised and educated in Cadiz, Ohio and apprenticed to his father, who was a printer and newspaper publisher.^[1]

Though he was only 16 years old, in 1862 Hatton enlisted for the American Civil War as a private in Company C, 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.^[2] His unit served primarily with the Army of the Cumberland, and Hatton took part in numerous engagements including the Battle of Atlanta.^[2] In 1864, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant and he served with the 184th Ohio Infantry before being mustered out at the end of the war.^[2]

After the war, Hatton was an original member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.^[3] In addition, he was also one of the organizers of the Grand Army of the Republic in Ohio.^[4]

After the war, Hatton worked in the newspaper business in Mount Pleasant, Iowa and later in Burlington, Iowa.^[1] A Republican who was active as a member of the Stalwart faction,^[5] he served as Burlington's Postmaster,^[2] and held several party positions, including Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party's Central Committee.^[6]

In 1881, Hatton was a candidate for several federal appointments at the start of the James A. Garfield administration.^[7] Garfield died that summer and in October, Hatton was appointed First Assistant Postmaster General during Chester A. Arthur's presidency.^[7]

In 1884 he was promoted to Postmaster General when incumbent Walter Q. Gresham became Secretary of the Treasury.^[8]

Hatton worked unsuccessfully to nominate President Arthur for a full term at the 1884 Republican National Convention.^[9] The nomination was won by James G. Blaine, who went on to lose the general election to Democrat Grover Cleveland.^[10] Hatton left office at the end of Arthur's term and returned to the newspaper business.^[11]

Hatton was part-owner and editor of The Washington Post until April 24, 1894, when he was stricken with a massive stroke while working at his desk.^[12] Hatton experienced complete paralysis, and was transported to a hospital, where his condition continued to decline.^[12]

He died on April 30, 1894, a week after his stroke and two days after his 48th birthday.^[13] He was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C.^[14]

In 1867, Hatton married Elizabeth J. Snyder (1844-1944) of Mount Pleasant Iowa.^[1] They were the parents of a son, Richard Hatton (1872-1939).^[1]

The town of Hatton, North Dakota was founded in 1882, and is named for Frank Hatton.^[15]