George W. Patterson

PATTERSON, PUDER, HERB, SHUMAKER, SHELTON, OPSTELTEN, ERVING, IRVING, GRIFFITH

Posted By: Valerie Ward (email)
Date: 3/27/2004 at 01:31:08

Note: Although obit is from Alton, Ill, deceased grew up in Keokuk.

Alton Evening Telegraph Thursday Sept 1, 1927
G. W Patterson dies at home in Upper Alton
Had been an invalid for a long time was well known as Railroad man in Alton
George Patterson passed away last evening at 7:05 o'clock at his residence 2210 Washington Avenue after an illness that started last December. About the first of the year all hope for his recovery was given up but since that time Mr. Patterson had improved somewhat and was able to ride out in an automobile for a short time. However the improvement was only temporary and for weeks his condition had been such that his death was expected most any time. In the last few days Mr. Patterson's strength gradually disappeared and all day yesterday he slept. Soon after the close of the day the sleep became a deeper one and at 7:05 last night the end came.
Mr Patterson was 51 years old. he was born at LePeer Mich and lived there until he was 11 years old when he went with his family to Keokuk, IA, to live and he grew up there. When 21 years old he finished learning the machinist trade and going to work for the Burlington railroad he stayed with the compnay four years. In 1907 Mr. Patterson came to Alton to take the place as master mechanic for the Illinois Terminal railroad, serving the railroad company here in that capacity until 1922 when he resigned to take a place with the Terminal Railroad Association at Brooklyn on the East Side. The Terminal Association was preparing to start building some railroad locomotives at Brooklyn and officials of the company who were acquainted with the ability of Mr. Patterson had induced him to take the place of erecting foreman. Going to work for the Terminal Association Mr. Patterson supervised the building of the first engine at Brooklyn. He continued with the company until he took sick. During the war he had suffered a severe attack of flu and each year since he had an attack of the same trouble. Last December he again became ill this time with a complication of troubles that were finally diagnosed as Bright's disease by his physicians. Just before the first of the year he was taken to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where he remained two weeks. His condition while there became so bad that the doctors gave him up and on the ninth day of January he was brought home. His improvement after that time was a surprise to his physician and members of his family but the improvement made did not prove to be lasting.
Mr. Patterosn was married on June 4, 1890 to Miss Anna E Puder of Keokuk, IA, who survives him. Three daughters, Mrs. W. J. Herb, Mrs. W W Shumaker, both of Upper Alton and Mrs. Edgar Shelton of Riverside Ill also survive him. He also leaves three sisters, MRs. John Opstellten, of Keokuk, IA, Mrs. R. B. Erving of Glendale, Calif. and Mrs. Addie Griffith of La Peer Mich, and also a brother John L Patterson of Keokuk. The latter was expected to arrive here today.
Mr Patterson was a member of Franklin Ldge, A F & A M for the last 14 years and he was also a member of the Twelfth Street Presbytarian Church. Plans for the funeral have not been made.

Sept 2, 1927
Funeral of G. W. Patterson
Funeral services for G. W. Patterson of 2210 Washington Avenue will be held Sunday at 2:30pm at the Twelfth Street Presbyterian church. Interment witll be in Oakwood cemetery. Services at the cemetery will be under the auspices of Franklin Lodge A. F. & A. M.