Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Patterson, Robert 1844 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 12:55 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

ROBERT PATTERSON, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Du Page Township, 
owning and managing a choice farm on section 7, is one of the native-born 
citizens of this State, who, since attaining manhood, has been closely 
connected with its growth and progress, materially, socially and morally. Our 
subject was born in Du Page County, November 18, 1844, and is a son of Mungo 
and Agnes (Clow) Patterson. The father is, and has long been, a prominent 
resident of Wheatland Township. Both he and his wife came from Scotland in the 
year 1837, and lived for several years in New York. In 1844 they came to Du 
Page County, this State, and in 1845 removed to Will County and were among the 
early settlers of Wheatland Township. The father purchased a tract of raw 
prairie land on which a squatter had previously settled and had attempted some 
improvement, plowing a small patch of the land. Mr. Patterson located thereon 
and immediately entered upon the hard task of redeeming the land from a state 
of nature, and in the years that followed he evolved a farm that is considered 
one of the finest in that vicinity, and here he now, in his seventy-fifth 
year, makes his home, surrounded by all the comforts of life. When he came to 
this country he was a poor man, and it is only by years of toil well directed 
and by the shrewd management of his affairs that he has placed himself in good 
circumstances. In the early days of the settlement of the country he suffered 
the privations and hardships common to the pioneer settlers of the State. The 
country, in a wild condition, had no good roads at first, and he used to draw 
his grain to the market in Chicago over the wild prairies where there were no 
highways of travel. He has never cared for public office although he has 
served on the School Board and has always interested himself in politics, 
being a sturdy supporter of the Republican party. He is in his religious 
belief a firm believer in the doctrine of Presbyterianism, and has for many 
years been identified with the church of that faith in Du Page Township, as 
one of its most zealous members. In the death of his amiable wife, in 1890, he 
sustained a severe loss, as she had ever been a helpmate in the truest sense 
of the word. By their marriage they became the parents of seven children, of 
whom the following five survive: John, a resident of Benton County, Ind.; 
Robert; William, living in Du Page Township; Sarah, wife of Robert Wightman, 
of Wheatland Township; and Adam, also a resident of Wheatland Township. The 
names of those deceased are Agnes and Helen. Robert Patterson, of this 
biography, was reared to man's estate in Will County, and was a witness of 
much of its pioneer growth. His early education was conducted in the district 
school of Wheatland Township. He did not enjoy the advantages that the youth 
of to-day have, but by reading and observation has become a well-informed man. 
He has for many years actively engaged in farming and stock-raising on his 
present beautiful farm. This comprises one hundred and forty acres of land, 
finely tilled and under excellent improvement in every respect, its buildings 
being of a neat and substantial order, and the machinery for carrying on 
agricultural operations of the most approved kind. In his marriage with 
Elizabeth Sinton, March 31, 1866, he secured the choice blessing of a good 
wife, who contributes to his comfort and has been a factor in the attainment 
of his prosperity. She is a native of Scotland and a daughter of Robert and 
Mary (Dickson) Linton. By their union they have six children: Isabelle, the 
widow of Joseph G. Emery; Robert, Ruth, Mungo, William and Ida. Since taking 
up his abode in Du Page Township our subject has placed himself among its most 
prominent citizens and has thoroughly identified himself with its highest 
interests, cordially supporting all feasible schemes for its advancement. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for five years, making a good record in that 
office. He is identified with the Presbyterian Church as one of its leading 
members, and officiates as Elder, and also serves as Treasurer of the church. 
A strong temperance man, he favors the Prohibition party in politics. As a 
farmer, he has shown good ability in the management of his affairs; as a 
citizen, he is animated with true public spirit; as a neighbor, he is friendly 
and helpful; as a husband, he is thoughtful and attentive; and as a father he 
is wise and loving, and is, in all respects, a manly, straightforward, upright 
man.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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