Patton, Joshua D. – 1810-1883

BISHOP, PATTON, WOOD

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

Gone To His Reward – In Newton, on Wednesday last, Oct. 17, 1883, there passed to his reward one of our citizens, who for hears past has occupied quite a prominent place in Jasper county, and in early life was honored by public office and honor as has been but few men.
Joshua D. Patton was born in Steubenville, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1810, afterwards removing to Carroll county, where he remained several years, and published the Carroll Free Press, the first paper ever published in that county, and also filling the offices of County Treasurer, Recorder, Clerk of the Court, and other offices. Removing to Davenport in 1851, he established himself with Mr. Chas. Lesslie, as his assistant in the dry goods store then conducted by that gentleman. Elected Justice of the Peace, he so well attested his aptness for public life that he was in 1855 elected County Clerk, a position he held two terms with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people generally. While in Davenport he was admitted to the bar, practicing as a lawyer for several years. The opening of the war transferred his labors to Cumberland, Md., where for nearly three years he was an Assistant Quartermaster. At the close of that service he removed to Newton, where his daughter was already residing.
During 1868-9 he published the Newton Free Press, and was afterwards engaged in the Furniture and Insurance business. Failing in health and losing money, he became discouraged, and for the past few has been a patient sufferer. He was baptized by Alexander Campbell into the fellowship of the Disciple Church when 17 years old, and was 78 years and 3 days old, at his death.
His funeral was conducted by Rev. Carnine, pastor of the M.E. Church, at his late home, on Thursday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of his friends and neighbors. At his request his remains were sent to Davenport for interment. The Davenport Gazette of Saturday says:
At Oakdale Cemetery yesterday was witnessed a scene so peculiarly touching that even in that grief-bedewed enclosure of terminated earthly aspirations and careers its counterpart is only rarely signalized. The remains of one who a quarter of a century ago filled a large place in Davenport, were there laid to rest, the last sad rites of burial being attended only by the sorrowing daughters and a select few of old-time friends. Joshua D. Patton, than whom no citizen of Davenport was better known during the decade closing with 1860, had been the animating spirit of the tired and worn body thus placed in the bed of its last repose. Many there are yet in this city and county who will recall the genial countenance, the genuine good humor, the hearty greetings, the effervescences or enthusiasm for cherished opinion and for chosen associates, with which they ever came in contact when they met, in office, or store, or on the street corner, or in the public assemblage, of that former resident now silent or dead.
In his political affiliations Mr. Patton was first a Whig, and then ardently a Republican. He was in all relations much esteemed. He leaves no son, but three daughters – Mrs. Bishop, now of Chicago, Mrs. Wood of Ohio, and Miss Mary Patton, who was his faithful attendant during his last illness, as ever before.
Source: Newton Journal; October 24, 1883, page 3