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1907 Past and Present Biographies

D. A. Paterson

D. A. Paterson is the senior partner of the firm of Paterson & Stribling at Paton and the history of the community would be incomplete without mention of him because of the extent and importance of his commercial interests, constituting a leading element in the busmess activity and progress of this locality. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 3d of January, 1866. His father, Robert Paterson, was a native of Liverpool, England, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed, and when twenty years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling first at Middletown, Connecticut, whence he afterward removed to Janesville, Wisconsin. In 1865 he took up his abode in Keokuk county, Iowa, where he lived for about sixteen years and in 1881 he came to Greene county. He always followed farming as a life work and improved a good tract of land in Paton township, whereon he lived until he retired from active business life about three years ago. He then removed to Des Moines, where he has since made his home. He was one of the organizers of the Mutual Insurance Company and bécame a well-to-do man. In politics he has long voted with the republican party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Agnes Mitchell, was born in Scotland and is still living.

D. A. Paterson was reared in the county of his nativity until he had reached the age of fifteen years, when he came with the family to Greene county. After he had completed his education his time was largely occupied with the work of the home farm and when he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account, following that pursuit in Paton township until three years ago, when he formed a partnership with A. J. Jones, of Paton, under the firm style of Jones & Paterson. They purchased the business which they are now conducting, although in September, 1906, the firm became Paterson & Stribling. They carry a line of hardware, furniture and farm implements, having a very extensive stock, much larger than is usually found in towns of this size. Both partners are men of enterprise, business ability, push and determination and in consequence are meeting with success which enables them to conduct one of the largest commercial interests of Greene county. They seldom lose a patron except through removal or some such circumstance and their trade is constantly growing.

In June, 1905, Mr. Paterson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel A. Oxley, of Dana, a daughter of E. T. Oxley, a farmer living in Junction township near Dana. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, December 22, 1852, and was a son of James M. Oxley, a native of Indiana, who came to Iowa when a young man, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Linn county. Upon the old homestead there Everett T. Oxley was reared to agricultural pursuits, while in the public schools be acquainted himself with the common branches of English learning. The month of March, 1876, witnessed his arrival in Greene county, at which time he settled on the farm in Junction township upon which he now resides. It is a well developed property, good buildings standing in the midst of an eighty acre tract of rich and productive land. He was married in November, 1875, to Elizabeth Cornell, a daughter of James D. Cornell, and they have five children: Edgar F., Nellie L., Mabel A., Herman and Florence R. The father has filled a number of local offices and is accounted one of the representative agriculturists of his community.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Paterson are faithful members of the Presbyterian church and his political support is given to the republican party. He is not a politician in the sense of oflice seeking but has served as township trustee for two terms and is now secretary of the Paton school board. His interest in the public welfare will not allow him to refuse to serve in public oflice when the general interests of the community demand it and at all times he gives active co-operation to movements for the public good. He prefers not to hold oflice, however, but to give his time and energies to his business affairs, which he is now capably conducting with the result that he is prospering in his undertakings.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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