Obituary: Robert Alexander Patton, 
1902: Monitor, Monroe County, W.Va.

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Frances Bailey O'Brien
Email address, fobrien@charter.net


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Bios: Robert A. Patton descendants: Monroe County, W.Va.

Copyright (c) 2002 by Frances B. OBrien. This copy contributed for 
use in the USGenWeb Archives.  fobrien@charter.net


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                Obituary of Robert Alexander Patton


Robert Alexander Patton was born in Monroe county, W. Va. Dec. 
26, 1829.  His grandfather, an early settler in this valley and 
prominent elder in the Lebanon church in the teens of the last 
century, was Robert Patton.  A grandson of his, Robert Miller 
Patton, became the Governor of Alabama in 1865, and prominent 
in other respects in the State.   The father of this sketch, 
Tristram Patton, lived to over 90 years of age, and was a useful 
and generous citizen, temperate in his habits and deliberate in 
his disposition.  The subject of this sketch had fine advantages 
in early education, being designed for the ministry.  His 
preparatory studies were under the Rev. J. G. McLaughlin and 
in Lewisburg at the celebrated school, founded by Dr. 
McElhenny.  His early marriage with Miss' Emily Nickell, Oct. 
18, 1849, changed his plans.  For fifty years of his life he 
taught with only a few interruptions, serving the longest 
period, perhaps, in the county.  For the largest part of his 
mature life he was a prominent magistrate, and served in the 
magistrate's court.  His cool, deliberate judgment, his well 
balanced mind, his wide information and his extensive reading 
made him a valuable county official.  
     
On the 14th of March, 1860, he was married a second time to Mrs. 
Mary A Boyd.  Her grandfather, too, settled early, 1802, in this 
county and became an elder in Lebanon Associate Reformed 
Presbyterian Church. His name was Andrew Miller.  Her father, 
Thomas Miller, was two years old when he crossed the Atlantic 
with his parents, from Scotland.  Robert Alexander Patton was 
called to the elder ship in Lebanon Church, June 24th, 1866.  
He was not well during last winter but took his bed Feb. 1, 
1902.  His sickness was long and painful, often severe and 
excruciating.  During this time, his sons, Charley, McElwee 
and more, each, with him greatly to his comfort.  His eyes 
would fill with tears and his heart overflow with gratitude, 
as he spoke to the writer about them.
     
It was our privilege to talk and pray often at his bedside.  The 
same characteristics of calmness were his in view of death.  He 
was conscious (and often expressed it) that this would be his 
last sickness.  We have every reason to believe that this 
sickness ripened him for glory.  He who had taught so many was 
himself, now, under the tuition of the divine teacher.  Often 
we received comfort of this ripening, maturing the last words 
we heard him utter, "I will never be better till I cross over 
the river."
     
Early on Aug. 28, 1902, the silver cord was loosed.  The next 
day amid a great throng of sorrowing relatives and sympathizing 
friends, we laid away his mortal remains to await a glorious 
resurrection.
W. M. Hunter
Monitor, W. Va. Sept. 10, 1902.