Hamilton E. Patterson, 28 Jun 1834 - 24 Feb 1909

PATTERSON, JOHNSTON, NIGGLI, WETMORE, BOSLEY

Posted By: Lila Garner (email)
Date: 3/10/2010 at 18:37:30

Marengo [Iowa] Republican, 4 March 1909:

OBITUARY

Hamilton E. Patterson was born in Ballygawly, County Tyrone, Ireland June 28, 1834.

His father was George Patterson, his mother Rachel Johnston of Scotch descent.

He came to America in 1851, at the age of 17. After a short time in New York City, he came to Cleveland and thence to Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Here he was a student in Asbury Seminary. He was married at Cleveland in 1856 to Caroline Niggli, who was born and raised in Switzerland. They immediately came to Iowa, where Mr. Patterson engaged in the pursuit of farming and stock raising until 1859, in which year he took up various work in Marengo.

In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B of the 28th Iowa Infantry, being mustered in a t Iowa City. He participated in some important engagements, among which were Cold Harbor, Oakland, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Red River Expedition, and the siege of Vicksburg. In an engagement a Sabine Cross roads he was wounded in the left leg. Later he was transferred to the veteran reserve crops, during which service he met Abraham Lincoln and was one of his personal escort upon the occasion of his second inauguration. He was also on duty at the house of Secretary Seward at the time of the attempted assassination of Mr. Seward. On Mr. Patterson’s 31st birthday he was honorably discharged from the army of the U. S. bearing the rank of Corporal.

Returning to Marengo he entered the employ of the Ketcham Lumber Company, with which he remained until his retirement. He died at his home in Marengo Feb 24, 1909, aged 74 years, 8 mos., and 27 days. He was a charter member and past commander of local post G. A. R., No. 233. Politically he was a republican. In religion he was a Methodist. His family consisted of his wife and six children, one of whom is dead--William Tell. There remain of his children John George, Alice Mary Wetmore of Wichita, Kas., Ida C. Bosley of Ladora, Charles Edward, Anna E. of Marengo.

The funeral was held at the residence Friday at 2:30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. C. H. Myers. It was largely attended. About 20 of his comrades of the union army were there, and many neighbors and friends. Burial was in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery.

[note: birth date calculation, using age, is off by one month]