My Genealogy Hound

JOSHUA PATTERSON, one of the representative citizens and prominent farmers of Johnson County, owns a tract of about two hundred and eight acres, located on section 1, township 46, range 29. He came to this section in 1859, from Yadkin County, N. C., and has since been identified with the interests of this portion of Missouri.

Joshua Patterson, Sr., the father of our subject, was a farmer in North Carolina, being a native of the eastern part of the state. When young he moved to Yadkin County, where he was one of the pioneers, and lived until his decease, which occurred when he was eighty-six years old. He married Polly Williams, a native of that state, who departed this life about ten years after his decease, being at that time also eighty-six years old.

The parental family included twelve children, of whom the eldest, Sallie, died when eight years old; William W. is engaged in farming and merchandising in East Bend, N. C.; Thomas A. is a farmer near Fulkerson, Johnson County, this state; John is living in his native state of North Carolina, where he owns a farm; Tyre I. departed this life while living in Cass County, Mo.; James D. died while a resident of Indiana; Sanford’s death occurred just north of Lone Jack, in Jackson County; Joshua, Jr., was the next-born and the eighth of the family; Mary Jane died in North Carolina; Jesse D. owns a farm in North Carolina; Isaac C., formerly a farmer, is now a merchant of Odessa; and Mahala, who was married in North Carolina, also died there.

The. subject of this sketch was born May 15, 1837, in Yadkin County, N. C., on his father’s farm. There his early life was passed, and there also he attended school for two or three months in each year, besides assisting in the farm work. One year after attaining his majority he left home and, determining to try his fortunes in this state, came hither, first stopping at Chapel Hill, near which place he hired out to work on a farm. He was unable to hold his position very long, for he was taken sick and one-half of his little hoard of $11 was paid out for doctor bills and medicine. When able to commence work again he necessarily had to begin at the very bottom round of the ladder, but being very courageous and hoping for better things, he farmed on shares and was so fortunate as to work for a man who, in addition to dividing the profits, gave him his board. It is unnecessary to say that he was industrious, improving every moment in some profitable way, and by saving each year a little of his earnings soon possessed $1,000. This he invested, in 1868, in eighty acres of land, one-half of which is now included in his present farm. The one thing necessary to make his home complete now was a wife and helpmate, and, returning to North Carolina, he was married to Miss Frances P. Norman, February 17, 1870. Together they returned to this state and have made it their home ever since. The old log house in which they first lived gave way to a more commodious and substantial structure in 1889, and this worthy couple now dispense hospitality to their many friends with a generous hand. Their children are eight in number, namely: Henry Hooker, who was a teacher for two terms, but is now a telegraph operator at Riverside, Ark.; Joshua Luther, attending school at Warrensburg; Virgil T., Mamie I., Wiley Wheeler, Bessie May, Sidney Albert and Frank Roy.

In politics Mr. Patterson is a Republican. During the late war he was loyal to Uncle Sam, attaching himself to the Home Guards, and aided in guarding the property of the residents of Missouri. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, with which denomination three of their children are also connected. He is well and favorably known throughout this section as one of its best residents and loyal citizens, and we are pleased to publish his biography in this volume.