Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 237

R. H. PATTERSON, deceased, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of this county. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1817, and when nineteen years of age followed the tide of human emigration which was steadily flowing westward, and cast his lot with the early settlers of Muscatine County. The following year he secured work with Asa Craig, one of the pioneers of this great commonwealth, who was then residing in Moscow. From that date until his death, Dec. 30, 1863, he made his home in this region, cheerfully enduring the labor and hardships of frontier life in those earlier years, then slowly gained, by good management and enterprise, a competence, which enables his widow to rest secure from toil and labor in her declining years. During his residence here he won the love and respect of all with whom he came in contact, and in his death all felt that they had lost a friend.

On the 26th of February, 1845, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage with Laura L. Nye, daughter of Benjamin Nye, the first man who settled with his family in Muscatine County. He was born Nov. 3, 1796, Montpelier, Vt., and on emigrating to Iowa took up his location at the mouth of Pine Creek. He it was who established in those early days many of the most important industries of the county. He laid out the town now known as Montpelier, built a store, in which trade was carried on with the Indians, they giving furs in return for goods received. The nearest market place at that time was at St. Louis, and as Mr. Nye had no one to help him in the store it was very hard for him to leave the business. He also built three mills on Pine Creek, the only ones built in that region, in 1834. Many other important lines of business were established by him and carried on successfully, thus increasing the prosperity of the county. Although in limited circumstances on his arrival he overcame all difficulties by his indomitable energy, until at length fortune smiled upon his efforts, and he was soon able to build a fine flouring-mill at a cost of $10,000. After operating his first saw-mill, which received the patronage of the settlers for miles around. The mention of this old mill will no doubt recall to the minds of our readers many pleasant recollections of days gone by. It still stands on Pine Creek, a picturesque object in that beautiful landscape, and one of the few relics of pioneer days that remain. Mr. Nye was also the first Postmaster of Montpelier, and held that office until 1845.

The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson was begun upon a farm, and eight children were born to them in this county: Benjamin F. N., born Dec. 9, 1845, became the husband of Mary Keene, and is now living in Glendale, Colo.; George A., born April 9, 1848; Lemuel S., born Oct. 12, 1851, and Viola L., born March 3, 1854, are all now deceased; Laura B., born Sept. 13, 1856, is the wife of Charles Campbell, who is now engaged in farming in Audobon County, Iowa; Pina F., born Jan. 10, 1859, wedded Samuel Gardiner, also a resident farmer of Audubon County; Robert S., born March 20, 1861, is deceased, and Charles M.; born Sept 2, 1863, is the husband of Amanda Funk, and resides on the old homestead.

In his political sentiments Mr. Patterson was a Republican, and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. He was always in the advance in any movement of social, educational or moral reform, and Muscatine County owes him a debt of gratitude for his untiring efforts in promoting her best interests. The rising generation can hardly realize in what a wild and unsettled condition the country was a few short years ago, for the labors of its pioneers have made great and rapid changes, and placed it upon a par with any in the State. Mrs. Patterson has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for twenty-three years, and has always been actively interested in the work of the organization. To the ladies of the church is due almost the entire honor of having their house of worship erected, and for this end Mrs. Patterson was an almost indefatiguable worker. She is now residing at her pleasant home on section 36, Sweetland Township, where she owns a good farm of 140 acres. and is living a quiet and retired life, being the oldest living settler in Muscatine County. Accompanying this brief sketch of a worthy pioneer family, are given the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, who were truely pioneers.


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