My Genealogy Hound

Joel D. Patterson has been familiar with farm work from his earliest youth, and is now ranked among the prosperous farmers of Izard County. He was born in North Carolina in 1826, and is a son of David and Mecca (Holder) Patterson, who were also born in the ‘‘Old North State.’’ In 1846 David Patterson removed to Kentucky, where he engaged in farming, having previously worked at house carpentering and cabinet making in his native State. He was also married there in 1825, and to him and wife were born eight children, five of whom are living: J. D., Caroline, wife of La Fayette Wright, of Kentucky; Susan, wife of M. V. Belma, of Kentucky; Francis M., a blacksmith, also residing in Kentucky, and Mary, wife of C. C. Ashworth, of Tennessee. Mr. Patterson volunteered, but did not serve in the War of 1812. He died on the 16th of May, 1855, at the age of sixty-six years, followed to his long home by his wife in 1883, her death occurring at the age of seventy-eight years. They were members of the Baptist Church, and were worthy and honored citizens. Joel D. Patterson attended the common schools of North Carolina, and, after his removal to Kentucky with his parents, he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of two years, when he worked in a wagon shop. In 1859 he moved to Izard County, Ark., and entered 160 acres of land near the town of Philadelphia, where he resided two years, then, upon the opening of the Civil War, he returned to Kentucky, where his attention was given to farming for four years. He then came back to his farm in Izard County, but about two years later traded it for another place, but also disposed of this at the end of two years. He then purchased and has since resided on his present farm (which amounts to 277 acres, with eighty acres improved, with good buildings and under cultivation), with the exception of about twenty months, when he resided in Fulton County. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Miranda Egbert, of Kentucky, and five of their eight children are now living: James R., who is now residing in Smithville, Ark., but expects soon to go to Texas; Joel B., residing in Indian Territory; Francis L., Marcus L. and Hiram E. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat politically, and is decidedly in favor of all movements which promise to benefit the community in which he resides.