WILLIAM PATTERSON, a worthy representative of an old pioneer family, is a son of William Patterson, whose grandfather, James, was the first of the family to settle in America. Of the children of this James Patterson, William was born in 1733, and in 1758 was married to Rosanna Scott, of Cecil county, Md. She died April 5, 1769, and on April 10, 1770, he was married to Elizabeth Brown, who bore him ten children. In the spring of 1778 he and several of his sons secured 350 acres of land in Cross Creek township, this county, upon which he settled in the fall of same year, dying there in 1818. Thomas Patterson, a son of William and Rosanna (Scott) Patterson, was born October 1, 1764, and passed his boyhood on the home farm. In 1794 he bought some of his father's land, erecting a grist and flour mill upon it, and also purchased additional property from Mary Patterson. On October 6, 1795, he was married to Elizabeth Findley, daughter of Hon. William Findley, of Westmoreland county, Penn. The young people began housekeeping in a log cabin, which was formerly used as a store, and in this pioneer home eleven children were born: William, James, Samuel, John, Thomas, Findley, Moses and David, and Mary, Elizabeth and Rosanna. Thomas Patterson, Sr., was a major-general in the militia. He was a member of Congress from 1817 to 1825, and of the Electoral College in 1816. He died of apoplexy November 17, 1841. William Patterson, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Findley) Patterson, was born September 25, 1796, and at an early age was entrusted with the care of the farm and mills, during his father's absence on political business. In 1812 his father established a fulling mill, of which William took charge as soon as he was competent. In 1819 he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Hon. Aaron Lyle, a resident of Cross Creek township, this county. William Patterson was a prominent officer in the militia, and organized and commanded the Union Volunteer Battalion; was also major on the staff of the brigadier-general of militia. In 1828 he was elected to the State Legislature, serving four consecutive terms, and during the last term was Speaker of the House. He took a very active interest in all educational matters, secured the erection of an elegant schoolhouse near his home, contributing liberally to the expenses, and serving most efficiently as director. While in the Legislature he obtained $8,000 from the State to erect a new building for Jefferson College. In 1844 he became a member of the Electoral College, and in 1859, retiring from a brilliant public career, he passed his last days in quiet. The children born to William and Margaret Patterson were Lysander, Mary, James, Robert, Aaron Lyle, Caroline, William, Margaret, Thomas A., and Samuel Findley. The father died in April, 1879, the mother in March, 1883. William Patterson, son of William and Margaret (Lyle) Patterson, was born January 4, 1832, in Cross Creek township, this county, and received a common-school education, assisting at the same time, his father on the farm and in the mill. On January 8, 1856, he was wedded to Sarah Margaret Jackson, who was born December 22, 1838, in Jefferson county, Ohio, daughter of James Jackson. They have had the following children: Mary (Mrs. Eli Sheets, of Ashland county, Ohio), Sarah Ella (wife of Newton Simpson, of Hill Grove, Hardin Co., Ky.), James J. (deceased in youth), Margaret (a school teacher), Jennie, Lewis Cass, Annie, Robert Lee (deceased in youth), Elvira B. and William B. Mr. Patterson farmed in Independence township for some time after his marriage, then moved to Ashland county, Ohio, remaining there several years, but again came to this county. He afterward located near Springfield, Ohio, but in the fall of 1875 returned to his native home, settling about two and a half miles south of Independence, this county, adjoining the West Virginia line where he has since resided. He is engaged in farming, stock raising and in fruit and vegetable culture. He enjoys a reputation for integrity and veracity, as well as that of being an independent thinker, untrammeled by any creed, dogma, superstition, preconceived or inherited notion. He is not a member of any religious or secret organization, but claims the right to investigate all questions (both secular and religious) for himself, subject to no dictator except instructed reason. He believes that faith without knowledge is a delusion and a snare. His motto, expressed in the language of the poet, is: New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient creeds untruth; He must upward then and onward, Who would keep abreast of truth. Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis. (The times change, and we change with them.)

Text taken from page 1251 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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