William Doran Patterson

BIRD, MAHANA, PATTERSON, WILEY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/8/2004 at 13:40:55

William D. Patterson, a representative and prosperous agriculturist of Madison county, owns and operates a well improved farm embracing three hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Scott township. His birth occurred in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of December, 1863, his parents being John D. and Amanda (Mahana) Patterson, who spent their entire lives in that county, the father always living on the same farm. The youngest brother of our subject represents the third generation on the old homestead farm in Greene county, Pennsylvania, which has been in possession of the family for more than a century. To John D. Patterson and his wife were born six children but only three came to Iowa; William D., of this review; Dr. L. S., who is a resident of Unionville, and Bradley M., of Des Moines, Iowa. Their great-great-grandfather served under General George Washington in the Revolutionary war.

William D. Patterson acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and subsequently pursued a course of study in the State Normal School at Edinboro, Pennsylvania. When not yet twenty-one years of age he came to Iowa and here worked as a farm hand for two years, on the expiration of which period he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing two hundred acres of land in Lee township, Madison county, and operating the place for fifteen years. The property had been improved to some extent when it came into his possession, but he remodeled the buildings, set out trees and an orchard and thus greatly enhanced its value. In 1901 he disposed of the place and purchased his present farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Scott township, where he has carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously. Success has attended his undertakings, for he embodies the most modern and practical methods in his farm work and annually gathers golden harvests which find a ready sale on the market.

In 1891, in Madison county, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Clyde Bird, a native of this county and a daughter of Butler Bird. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are the parents of two children, namely: Birdie, who gave her hand in marriage to Ralph Wiley, of Winterset, Iowa; and Bradley, at home.

Mr. Patterson is a progressive in politics and in 1914 was honored by his party with the nomination for state representative. He has been influential in the development of the Farmers' Institute, acting as chairman and serving on its various committees. This institute, which since 1913 has been known as the Farmers' Short Course, meets each year at Winterset and is an important factor in the agricultural development of the county. In 1913 Mr. Patterson was elected president and has served in that capacity since, being one of the active men in Madison county associated with this institution. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Church of Christ, to which his wife also belongs. They enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended them.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”