BIO: John D. PATTERSON, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 319-320.
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  PATTERSON, JOHN D., mayor of Harrisburg, was born at Williamsburg, 
Blair county, Pa., November 1, 1842.  His parents were of that sturdy 
stock, Scotch-Irish, the representatives of which are so numerous and 
prominent in the leadership of American society.  The education and 
training of children are regarded by this worthy class of citizens as 
ships of priority and prominence in promoting the public intelligence 
and virtue.  The parents of Mayor Patterson gave their son the 
advantages which the public schools afford, and supplemented these by a 
course of study at the academy.  At the same time they were careful 
that some systematic and continuous industrial occupation should fill 
up the vacations and intervals between school terms.  The result was a 
studious and industrious youth, with some knowledge and training and a 
desire for more.  His first employment on his own account was farm 
work, in the summer months, and teaching school in the winter months.  
Busied at these occupations, he constantly grew and strengthened in 
body and mind.  The war came on and opened to him a new field of 
action.  He enlisted in the army in August, 1862, and thus became a 
soldier before he became a voter.  Before he had been a month in the 
service, on September 17, 1862, he was baptized in the blood of battle, 
on the battlefield of Antietam, where he received serious injury.  For 
meritorious action, and conduct which displayed the tactics and heroism 
of the true soldier, he was promoted on the field, and made orderly to 
General Kane, and also to General Knipe.  At the end of his term of 
service he re-enlisted and served to the end of the war.  Upon his 
final discharge from the army, July 1, 1865, he came immediately to 
Harrisburg, and entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company.  He remained with that company until December 1, 1874, when he 
resigned his position for the very best of reasons, namely:  His 
elevation to the highest office within the gift of his fellow-citizens 
of Harrisburg, the mayoralty of the city.  The acknowledgment by the 
public of the success of his administration as the chief executive of 
the city was his re-election to the office in 1876, and the repetition 
of this endorsement by his election to a third term of the office, in 
1878.  In these elections Mr. Patterson was the candidate of the 
Republican party.
  In 1881 he was elected resident clerk of the House of 
Representatives.  The compliment in this election was the greater 
because the majority in the House was Democratic, and his successor in 
this office was a member of that party, showing that he was chosen on 
the grounds of personal worth and ability, and not on party preference.  
He was elected sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives in 
1885, 1887 and 1889.  In December, 1889, he was appointed auditing 
clerk of the commissioners of the Soldiers' Orphans' Schools.  This 
position he was called to give up because of the rare honor conferred 
upon him of election in February, 1896, to a fourth term of the office 
of mayor.
  For many years Mr. Patterson has been a member of Post No. 58, G. A. 
R.  He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.  The family 
are members of the Zion Lutheran church, on Fourth street, Harrisburg.  
Mr. Patterson was married in 1866, to Clara Morris, daughter of Israel 
Morris, of Reading, Pa.  They had three children:  Mary Emily, Jennie 
E., and Alice D.  Mrs. Patterson died in 1889.