Henry
S. Patterson, M.D., who resides in Elkader, is a
native son of Clayton County, and is one of her
enterprising and progressive citizens. He has made an
earnest study of his profession and has not allowed his
studies to cease as so many physicians do on leaving
their Alma Mater. Instead he keeps in touch with the most
advanced thought of the medical profession, takes the
best journals, and in every way keeps abreast with the
times.
Our subject was born in 1851, being a son of Wesley and
Lucy A. (Shuman) Patterson. The father was a native of
Ohio, his birth having occurred in Wyandotte County, and
the year before the birth of his son, Henry, he concluded
to try his fortunes in the west, accordingly settling in
Clayton County in 1850. His father, John Patterson, was a
native of Ireland, who settled in the Buckeye State in
the early part of this century. Our subject's mother was
born in Pennsylvania, where she grew to womanhood, later
removing to Ohio. Both parents are still living though
now well along in years, their residence being in North
Dakota.
The boyhood of Dr. Patterson was passed in the county of
his nativity, and his early education was afforded by the
public schools. While still quite young he determined to
adopt the medical profession, and accordingly read and
studied under the tutelage of Dr. Bass, of Elkader, who
was one of the pioneer physicians of this locality. In
1885 Dr. Patterson entered the Hahnemann Medical College
at Chicago, from which he graduated after completing the
entire course of study, in 1888. On beginning his
practice he located at Toledo, Iowa, where he remained
for two years pursuing his professional duties in Grundy
Center for about a year and a-half and for about eight
months practicing in Waukon, Allamakee County.
It was in April, 1892, that the Doctor came to Elkader,
where he has since conducted a large general practice. He
is a physician of the Homeopathic school, which he
believes to be the best and most in accord with advanced
knowledge. With the State Homeopathic Society he holds
membership, as well as with the American Institute of
homeopathy. He uses his influence and ballot in favor of
the principles of the Republican party and is a true
patriot and citizen, who holds it a high privilege to do
everything in his power to further the well-being of the
people of this fair land.
In December, 1872, Dr. Patterson was married to Miss Sara
E., daughter of J.B. Shelhamer, who was one of the early
settlers of Clayton County. Two daughters came to bless
this union, Alice, and Susie, who has passed from this
life. The Doctor and his estimable wife are faithful
members and workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church and
Sunday-school of this place, and their pleasant home is
always hospitably open to welcome their many friends. Dr.
Patterson well merits the high esteem in which he is held
by the people of this section, for he is a man of
sterling worth, truth and justice, whose life is devoted
to healing, uplifting and blessing those with whom he
comes in contact.
~source: Portrait
and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton
Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 386
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall
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