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Joseph Patterson

(Photos of both Joseph and Mary are in the source book)

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has made a success of life and won the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such is the record of the well known farmer whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more whole-souled or popular man it would be difficult to find within the limits of the township where he has his home.

Joseph Patterson, whose fine farm is located in sections 19, 20 and 21, Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Hancock county, Ohio, on the 13th day of March, 1837, and is a son of John and Jane (GRAHAM) Patterson. John Patterson was born in Ireland and in young manhood accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. They first located in Ohio, where the father carried on farming until 1850, when he came to Clayton county, Iowa, and entered land, which he put in cultivation. He also entered land in Fayette county, it being that now occupied by the subject of this sketch. He lived in Clayton county until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy years old. He was an energetic and industrious man and was successful in his business affairs. In politics he was first a Whig, and later a Republican. His religious membership was with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he took an active interest.

While a resident of Ohio, John Patterson was married to Jane GRAHAM, who was a native of England, though of Irish parentage. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Sarah Atwood, Mrs. Katherine Thompson, Mrs. Martha Keys, Wesley, Aaron, Samuel, Joseph and Ezra.

Joseph Patterson was about twelve years old when the family moved from Ohio to Clayton county, Iowa, the long and tiresome trip being made in wagons, the subject driving a team the entire distance. The major part of his education was received in an old-fashioned log school house in Iowa, his opportunities for attending school being somewhat limited from the fact that his assistance was needed in the arduous task of clearing the land and getting it in shape for cultivation. The country was wild and the land covered with the primeval timber, so that toil of the most strenuous kind was required before the pioneer farmer could begin to realize any income from his land. Mr. Patterson has remained on the original Fayette county farm since he was twenty-one years old, and has here devoted himself assiduously to its cultivation, in which he has met with a very gratifying degree of success. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, including horses and Polled Angus cattle, in which also he has been successful. He maintains his property at the highest standard of excellence and is consider3ed one of the best farmers in his section of the county.

When twenty-one years old, Mr. Patterson married Margaret Bunkle, who was a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, who is now deceased. To this union were born four children: Arthur, Mrs. Lucy HITCH, Ida (deceased) and Grant. Subsequently Mr. Patterson married Mary Upton, who was born April 14, 1838, in Maryland, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Upton. Her father was a native of Ireland, but she knew little of her mother, who died when Mary was very young. She accompanied her father to Clayton county in her early life and her marriage to Joseph Patterson occurred in Fayette county. Her death occurred on December 24, 1909. To Joseph and Mary Patterson were born nine children, of whom five are living, namely: John, deceased; Edgar, of this county; William, deceased; Grace, a resident of Washington; Bertha, of Oklahoma; Sidney S., who remains at home; Mary and Martha Ann, twins, a twin to Grace that died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Patterson is a stanch Democrat, and, thought he keeps well posted on the current issued of the day, he takes no active part in local public affairs aside from the casting of an intelligent ballot. Religiously he is a member of the Christian church at Brainard. In every relation of life Mr. Patterson has performed his full part and because of his sterling qualities of character and his upright life, he has long enjoyed the unbounded respect of the entire community.

~transcribed  for the Fayette Co IA USGenWeb Project by Sharon Dorland