Patterson, Aaron 1840 – 1908

PATTERSON, HOWELLS, COWAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/9/2019 at 15:24:54

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Mar. 27, 1908, LP, C4,5,6

Obituary of Aaron Patterson.
Aaron Patterson died at his residence in West 7th St., Des Moines, Iowa, of creeping paralysis. He had been ill for two years and the end was expected by the immediate family. He was the son of Rev. William Patterson and Mary his wife; the former was Presiding Elder of Meadville District Pennsylvania Erie Conference and was stationed at Ashtabula, Ohio, when he resigned the pastorate and came West with his family, including his son-in-law Dr. A. W. Cowan and his wife Mary. They arrived at Galena, Ill., about April 1, 1857, crossed the river to Dubuque and took the main thoroughfare overland route from Dubuque to St. Paul which was a very much traveled route in those days. Arrived at the Howard County line on April 11, 1857, and settled on Section 16 Township 97 Range 14, in the Irish settlement. They remained in this part of the county about 3 years, father holding religious services and Dr. Cowan practicing medicine and teaching school until he was elected treasurer of the county when both families moved to New Oregon.
In the latter part of 1864, Aaron Patterson opened a general store at Ossian, Iowa, and did a prosperous business for over ten years, during which time he took the lead in building the Methodist church in that place. He sold his business in Ossian and moved to Des Moines and engaged in the mercantile business on the East side which he carried on until he became the general agent for Keers Thread Co. for which he traveled very extensively. He remained a traveling man until some four years before his death.
He passed away on February 28, 1908, at 2 o’clock a. m., at the age of 67 years. The funeral was held at the home on the following Sunday at 2 o’clock p. m. The services were beautiful and many kind and lovely things were said of him by an old Presbyterian minister who is a neighbor who visited him all through his sickness and by his pastor the Rev. Dr. Sluce, whose wife is a daughter of the former Flora Hunt, whom Wm. H. Patterson rescued from drowning; thus, the scripture is fulfilled: “Cast thy bread upon the water and it shall return to thee after many days.” There were many beautiful floral offerings which completely covered his resting place, and he sleeps in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery, Des Moines.
By his associates, he was called “the sunny traveling man," on account of his pleasant and cheerful disposition. He is survived by his wife, two sons Wm. A. and Dr. C. F. Patterson, and three daughters Mrs. Walter Howells, Nellie and Louise Patterson, and also by three brothers Wm. H., of Cresco, James, of Chicago, and Wilbur M., of Spokane, Washington.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born November 7, 1840.