Patch, Luther 1799-1886

PATCH, HATTER, MURDOCK

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/6/2004 at 21:15:52

WAUKON STANDARD -- Thursday, July 22, 1886

Death of One of the Early Settlers of Clayton County.

Elkader Register

On Saturday morning last, Luther Patch, father of Mrs. S. Murdock, was found dead in his bed, at the family residence on the east side. He has been quite feeble for many years and his death was not a surprise to those acquainted with him, although he was in his usual health on retiring. His death was caused by heart disease and old age.

Luther Patch was born in Chesterfield, Mass. Sept. 21st, 1799, and was therefore nearly 87 years of age. He resided at Chesterfield until he was 18 years of age, and received his education in the common schools of that place. From Chesterfield he went to Montgomery Co., New York, where he resided for four years, and where he was married in 1819 to Elizabeth Hatter, a native of that county. In 1829 he removed to Ontario Co., residing there four years, and thence to Niagara county where he took a claim and worked on the Erie canal. In 1837 the family came to Cassville, Wis., and in 1840 they removed to Prairie du Chien. In 1842 they came to Clayton county. Locating at McGregor he rented what was then known as the lower ferry. He afterwards lived at St. Anthony Falls, and at Crow Wing, Minn., and in 1848 went to California, where he remained for ten years, finally returning to Clayton county, and took up his residence with his son-in-law Judge Murdock, who was then running a farm near Garnavillo, and with them he continued to reside until the time of his heath. The family came to Elkader in 1876, and has resided here continuously. Mr. Patch was a very quiet unostentatious man, and had a large circle of friends, who will sincerely mourn his death.

Contributed by Evelyn Rudolf.