RALEIGH — A law and business partner of Jim Holshouser says the former North Carolina governor did not attend the inaugural ceremonies over the weekend after being treated for pneumonia.

Ernie Pearson said Monday that Holshouser got out of the hospital late last week but was advised by doctors to stay at home rather than attending the public swearing-in of fellow Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and other Council of State members.

Pearson said staff members of the 78-year-old Holshouser told him the ex-governor was expected at work Monday. Holshouser did not immediately respond to an email Monday. A phone message at his law firm was not immediately returned.

Holshouser was the first GOP governor of the 20th century in North Carolina, serving from 1973 to 1977.