Hillsdale-Lenawee County MI Archives Biographies.....Patterson, Robert C. February 7, 1832 - 1895
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Rob Patterson pastorob@gmail.com November 9, 2005, 11:37 am

Author: Transcribed from Biographical Sketches Book

Robert C. Patterson is numbered among the intelligent 
and honorable men who compose the farming community of Hillsdale County, 
and is quietly pursuing his pleasant occupation on his farm on section 14, 
Allen Township. 


He is a son of Joseph and Katrina (Jagger) Patterson, who were natives 
respectively of Ireland and New York State. His father come to this country 
from his native land when twenty-one years of age. 

After marriage Robert and his wife began their wedded life in Orange County, 
N.Y.; whence they removed some years later to Wayne County, in the same State.

In 1848 they came to Michigan, and locating in the pretty township of 
Woodstock, remained valued and respected members of that place util death. They 
were worthy, industrious and true-hearted people. Eight children were born of 
their marriage, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth.

Mr. Patterson was born in Orange County, N.Y., February 7, 1832, and the years 
of his boyhood were spent in his native State, where he acquired a sound 
education. He was sixteen years old when he came with his parents to Lenawee 
County, and he continued to make his home in Woodstock, where they settled, for 
many years. After he came to Michigan he learned the carpenter’s trade, and 
prosperously pursued it while he remained a resident of Lenawee County. His 
life has been partly that of a student and thinker as well as of a worker, and 
for sixteen winters in that county he was engaged in the profession of teacher, 
and while thus imparting his knowledge, he did much good, instilling into the 
minds of his pupils a wholesome love of learning, and guiding their youthful 
minds in the right direction.

In the year 1880 he ceased to be a citizen of Woodstock, and on the 23rd of 
December, that year, he was united in marriage with Miss Lura M. White, in 
Jackson, Michigan.  She is a daughter of Lemuel and Lydia S. (Armstrong) White, 
who were natives of Livingstone County, N.Y., where they lived until 1859. In 
that year they came to this county, and settled in Allen Township, where Mr. 
White died August 7, 1887. To him and his wife, who survives him, were born 
five children, of whom Mrs. Patterson was the third in order of birth. She was 
born in Livingstone County, N.Y., March 17, 1851, and was a mere infants when 
her parents brought her to this State, therefore she has known no other home. 
She received from her mother a careful training, is intelligent and amiable, 
and has made an excellent wife and mother. To her and her husband was born a 
fine baby boy, August 23, 1887, whom they have named Robert White Patterson.

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Patterson came with his wife to Hillsdale County and 
settled in the township of Allen, where he bought his present farm. It 
comprises eighty acres of rich and highly productive soil, which, by his 
industry and careful management, he has placed in a good state of cultivation. 
He has erected a fine house and has suitable out-buildings, and other good 
improvements. The pleasant home of Mr. And Mrs. Patterson is made very 
attractive to many friends, whom they have gathered around them since coming to 
this township.

Our subject is a man of strong character, is mentally well endowed, earnest and 
sincere in his convictions, and is of unblemished reputation. In politics he 
affiliates with the Republican Party, and faithfully supports its measures when 
occasion offers. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.             


Additional Comments:
I also have this poem (below) written by this area school teacher. Is there a 
place to include this? 

Robert C. Patterson was around 29 when the Civil War began. He mentions 
Palestine and Sarssians.
 

The Deceived Warrior             
  by Robert C. Patterson

I’ll hang my harp on the willow tree

And I’ll off to the wars again

My youthful home is no charms for me

The battlefield no pain

The lady I love will soon be a bride

With a diadem on her brow

Oh why did she flutter my boyish pride

She is going to leave me now.


She took me from my wars like lord

And gave me a silken suit

I thought no more of my master’s sword

While I played on my mistress lute

She seemed to think me a boy above

Her pages of low degree

Oh had I but loved with a boyish love

It would have been better for me.


From my breast I’ll banish every selfish care

And I’ll flush my pale cheeks with wine

While smiles await the bridal pair

I’ll hasten to give them mine.


I’ll laugh and I’ll sing though my heart may bleed

I’ll walk in the past time train

And if I survive it I’ll mount my steed

And I’ll off to the wars again.
 


One golden lock of her hair I’ll twine

In my helmet’s sable plume

While on the plains of Palestine

I’ll hasten an early doom

And if by the Sarssians’ hand I fall

Mid the noble land the brave

One tear from my lady love is all I ask for a warrior’s grave.


By Robert C. Patterson


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