JAMES W. PATTERSON, in his day a leading citizen of Franklin township, was born May 1, 1815, in Washington county, Penn. He attended the subscription schools of the home neighborhood, and early evinced an unusual aptitude for business. He began life with but little financial aid, and November 1, 1836, was married to Caroline Van Kirk, who was born July 1, 1817. Some time after their marriage the young couple moved to Athens county, Ohio, where they lived two years, and then came to Franklin township, Washington county, where he purchased an improved farm, upon which he erected fine buildings, and was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming a very prosperous business man, and dealing in stock and wool. Mrs. Patterson died March 11, 1862, leaving a family of eleven daughters, namely: Parmelia, wife of John N. Andrews; Mahala A., deceased; Sarah, wife of Hiram McClain; Evaline, married to Oliver L. Hart; Minerva, deceased wife of C.M. Minton; Mary P., wife of Joseph Hunter; Miranda V., married to B.C. Lindley; Emma, deceased; Ella C., wife of Dr. Cephas T. Dodd; Caroline L., wife of Joseph M. Clark, and Martha A., married to Clarence Manon. For his second wife Mr. Patterson was married, on August 15, 1865, to Mrs. Ann Elliott, who died October 20, 1885, having been preceded to the grave by her husband, May 24, 1884. Mr. Patterson was a member of the Democratic party. He was actively interested in religious matters, and contributed liberally to the support of the Master's cause; he was an elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the time of his death.

Text taken from page 109 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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