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.

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages

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