Patterson Brothers, Jerry & William

PATTERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 10/13/2010 at 18:20:01

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Patterson Brothers, Jerry and William
By Max Flathers

The Pattersons were born in the Kankakee, Illinois, area, Jerry in 1888 and Bill in 1890. Their parents passed away at an early age leaving Jerry, Bill and a young sister. The sister passed away soon.

Jerry got work on an immigrant train going to Iroquois, South Dakota. He rode in the cattle car and took care of the livestock for his passage. Bill came at a later date to the same area. After a few years there was no work, due to the dry weather. George Flathers, living in the same area, knew there was need of men in the Pierson, Iowa, area. Jerry was sent by railroad to B L Flathers in the Pierson area where he spent many years. Later Bill came and worked many years. Later Bill came and worked many years for the W K Herbold family. They both worked for a number of the local families of Duncansons, Bohles, Rocks and others.

Jerry served in the U S Army during World War I and returned with an honorable discharge.

In the early thirties they started farming for themselves and continued on the same farm until they retired and moved to Correctionville in the early fifties. Neither of them married. Their last move was to the nursing home in Correctionville, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Both men were respected by their friends and neighbors and lived a good full life.

Jerry and Bill are buried in the Fairfield Cemetery at Rock Branch. They left a gift of $10,000 to be invested and the interest to be used toward the upkeep of the cemetery.

Jerry passed away in 1978 at the age of 90; Bill passed away in 1979 at the age of 89.