DEATH OF JOHN PATTERSON.
An Old Man and an Old Citizen Quietly Passes Away.
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DIED--At his home in Leon, Iowa, on Thursday; September 27, l888, JOHN
PATTERSON.

MR. PATTERSON was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, January l7, l805.
He and his brothers and sisters were left orphans at an early age, the
subject of this sketch being but five years of age.   After the death of
his parents he was taken by a relative living in North Carolina to his
home, where he remained until he was nineteen years of age. He then
concluded to start out to seek his fortune in the great west.

Accordingly, in the year l824, he left the home of his relatives in
North Carolina and went to Indiana, making the whole journey on horse
back.  Here he remained for some years, but finally, being desirous of
once more visiting the scenes of his childhood days, he returned to his
former home in North Carolina.  He remained but a short time, however,
before he again turned his face westward, settling this time in Belmont
County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, which was that of harness
and saddle maker. While there, on the l8th day of November, l835, he was
married to MISS PAMELA DUKE, with whom he journeyed through life for
nearly fifty-three years, and who still survives him.

In l850 MR. PATTERSON concluded to move still further west and early in
that year he left Belmont County, for what was then the wilds of Iowa,
continuing west until he arrived in Decatur County on the 3rd day of
November of the same year.  He entered some land, near where Leon now
stands, and at once began preparations to remain.

Though winter was almost at hand, he immediately commenced to erect a
dwelling, which he completed that fall.  At that time he was far from
any town and to mill he was compelled to go more than forty miles.
Soon, however, the county began to settle up rapidly, and in l853 the
town of Leon was laid out.  Not long after, MR. PATTERSON moved to town
and embarked once more in the harness business, and he continued to
reside here until the day of his death.  Though for the past few years
he has been unable to transact business, as long as he was able, he
visited it every day.  He was always a hard worker and at one time had
acquired considerable property.

MR. and MRS. PATTERSON were not blessed with any children.  They,
however, adopted two, but both are dead, the last one LEVI CLARK, dying
less than a year ago.

MR. PATTERSON's parents were Quakers and he became a member of that
denomination at an early age.  He remained in that church until he was
3l years of age, when he joined the Methodist.  To the day of his death,
however, he continued to cherish a strong affection for the church of
his younger days.

He was always enthusiastic in the work of the church.  In l840, while
yet in Ohio, he was elected class leader.  The first class in Decatur
County was organized in Eden Township, in March, l85l, with ten members.
MR. PATTERSON was chosen leader, and for eight years the class met
principally at his residence.  He continued in his position as class
leader for nearly thirty-five years, until about three years ago, he was
compelled, by reason of the infirmities of advanced age to turn the work
over to younger hands.  He continued to attend church as long as he was
able to walk to the church.  It is only for the past few months that his
seat near the pulpit has been vacant.  His life as a Christian has
always been so content that even an enemy, if he had one, could find no
flaw in it.

MR. PATTERSON has been identified with Leon ever since its foundation
and as long as he was able, he was always willing and ready to do his
part in any good cause and, though for some years, by reason of advanced
age, he has not taken part in the business and social life of the place,
yet he will be missed by scores of friends.  His aged wife, who survives
him, has the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
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