Biographical Sketch of

James Patterson

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 365 - 366. 
Page 364 has a portrait of James and Maria Patterson.

James Patterson, who is engaged in farming in Brooklyn Township, Green 
Lake County, upon section 8, is a native of New York. He was born in 
Scholarlie County, April 9, 1819, and is a son of John and Gusta (Howe) 
Patterson. His father was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in the year 1788, 
and chose milling as the pursuit with which he wished to make his life 
work. He followed the business for some twenty years, but though naturally
a strong man, it completely wrecked his constitution and he was forced to 
abandon it. He was twice married and by his first union nine children, 
six sons and three daughters, were born. His first wife passed to her
final rest in New York in 1823, after which he married a widow with a 
family of children. In 1845, they accompanied our subject to Walworth 
County, Wisconsin, where his death occurred the following year. 
Politically he was a Democrat and religiously a Lutheran, as was also 
the mother of our subject. 

James Patterson, whose name heads this sketch was the eighth child of 
his father's family. He received but limited educational advantages and 
when about fourteen years of age began life for himself, going to live 
with a farmer with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age, 
receiving as compensation for his services his board, clothing and $100 
in money. With that sum he made his first purchase of land, it being 
situated in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Not long afterward he chose for 
himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Maria Fryer, who was born 
October 4, 1817 in Schenectady County, New York. Her parents, Reuben and 
Catherine (Van Dyke) Fryer, were also natives of the Empire State, the 
former being born June 20, 1795, the latter August 20, 1796. They were 
married in New York where a family of fourteen children was born to them.
In 1847, they emigrated to Walworth County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Fryer 
died at the ripe old age of eighty-three years, his wife dying at the 
age of fifty-eight years. He was a Democrat in politics, a farmer by 
occupation, and had served his country in the War of 1812.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have been residents of Green Lake County since 
1849, at which time he entered eighty acres of land on section 9, in 
the town of Brooklyn. The changes which have taken place since that 
time are very great. He had no neighbors within a distance of several 
miles and the entire county was almost an unbroken prairie. He has, 
however, nobly borne his share in its development and has made one of 
the best farms in the town, he now owning 170 acres of highly improved 
land. His home with its entire surroundings indicates the thrift and 
industry of the owner, the stock which he raises is of the best grade 
and his many improvements, including one of the finest and largest 
barns in the county, are all that are necessary to a model farm. During 
the forty years of their residence in this community, Mr. and Mrs. 
Patterson, by their upright lives, have won the confidence and high 
regard of all with whom they have come in contact, and it is with great 
pleasure that we record the sketch of these worthy people in the history 
of their adopted county. They hold membership in the Congregational 
church and Mr. Patterson is a supporter of the Prohibition party. In 
early life he affiliated with the Democracy, but when slavery became 
the leading issue before the people he joined the political organization 
which pronounced itself for freedom, continuing to cast his ballot in 
its support within the past few years, when he has been identified with 
the Prohibition party.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have but one child now living. A daughter, 
Catherine, died at the age of twenty years.

Lorenzo D., their son, was born on the old homestead farm April 13, 1852, 
and in the town of Brooklyn was reared to manhood. On the 20th day of 
January, 1880, he led to the marriage altar Miss Clara M. Van Wagenen, 
who was born in Green Lake County, April 18, 1858. They have one son and 
two daughters, as follows: Emeline M., Willie D., and Katie I. Lorenzo 
Patterson, like his father, is one of the prominent farmers of the town 
of Brooklyn, and is one of its large land owners, his possessions 
aggregating 512 acres. He was educated in the common schools and at 
Ripon College, and since leaving the school room has given his entire 
attention to agricultural pursuits. He has never sought or desired public
office,, but much against his will and without his knowledge was twice 
nominated Chairman of the town board, on the Prohibition ticket. On 
another page (p364) will be seen the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson.






Back to the Marquette Pages Menu