The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg.62

SAMUEL W. PATTERSON was one of the first officials on the
ground in the development of the coal property of the Bottom
Creek Coal & Coke Company at Vivian in McDowell County. He has
lived there since December, 1891, and has become a successful
and widely known coal operator in that section of the state.

Mr. Patterson was born in Elk County, Pennsylvania, September
24, 1863, son of Thomas N. and Rachel (Spencer) Patterson. The
Pattersons were a family of Irish, Scotch and English origin,
while the Spencers were English. Mr. Patterson comes of several
branches of substantial New England stock, including the Howland
and Denison families. He is a member of the John Howland Society.
His parents were both born in Pennsylvania, his father at Mauch-Chunk.
Thomas N. Patterson took up the profession of medicine, but soon
abandoned it to engage in coal mining, and later became manager
for J. C. Haydon at Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania,
then one of the largest operators in Carbon County, Pennsylvania.

Samuel W. Patterson graduated from high school in Schuylkill County,
Pennsylvania, and at the age of sixteen entered his father's office.
There he acquired a thorough knowledge of the coal industry, being
afforded every opportunity to familiarize himself with the business
and technical branches of the business. His uncle, William Spencer,
had acquired an interest in coal lands in West Virginia. With this
interest as the basis there was organized in 1891 at Pottsville
Pennsylvania, the Bottom Creek Coal & Coke Company. The company
selected and sent as its practical representatives to the field
William Spencer and Samuel W. Patterson, the latter as secretary
and treasurer of the company. Later he became president and general
manager. The Norfolk & Western Railroad was then constructing its
main line west into this section, but at the time Mr. Patterson had
to walk from what is now Kyle to Vivian, the location of the Bottom
Creek Company's property. He has been here ever since and has had
active supervision of all phases of the development of the property.
He is still at his post of duty as mine manager. With his brother,
George S., he organized the Sycamore Coal Company of Cinderella,
Mingo County, West Virginia, and is president of that company, and
is also vice president of the Majestic Collieries Company, Majestic,
Kentucky.

In 1903 at Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Patterson married Miss Mary
Cleveland, daughter of Charles W. and M. Isabel (Torrey) Cleveland,
both representing old families of Pennsylvania and New York State.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have one son, Thomas Cleveland.