Hon. William Patterson
This name has been a familiar one in Shelby county
for much more than a half century, for Mr. Patterson has become generally known, not only through his business
connections, but also through his public service in the State Legislature. His is a life that has been well spent
and as he approaches his advanced years he can look back upon a busy, well directed career, spent in such a way
as to bring pleasant reflections, as well as ample provisions for the material comforts and necessities of life.
This gentleman was born in Jackson township, Shelby
county, February 11, 1827, and was the son of David L. and Ann (Shaw) Patterson. The former
was born in the state of Ohio, in 1804, and came to Shelby county, Indiana, when eighteen years of age. Ann
Shaw was also born in Ohio, hear the town of Lebanon, in 1805, and came to Indiana with her parents when still
quite young. She became the mother of nine children, viz: George, Harriett, Joel, Martha,
James, John, Frank, Julia and William. Of these the surviving
members are William, Julia, Harriett, John and James.
William was reared on the farm, near Marietta, in Jackson
township, and obtained a somewhat meager education, owing to the lack of educational facilities. He was a
wide reader, however, and, through self-effort, managed to broaden himself and acquire a good all-round preparation
for life. In 1846 Mr. Patterson was joined in marriage to Charlotte Eberhart, a woman of excellent
character, who bore him three children, viz: John, Willis and George, the
last named being the only one that survives. Mrs. Patterson died on July 27, 1854, and later Mr. Patterson
married Lauretta Eberhart, to whom was born one child, Amanda Patterson, who later became the wife
of Gilbert Phillips. On March 3, 1882, Amanda [I think this should read "Lauretta"] Patterson
was also called hence, and in the course of time Mr. Patterson chose for his third wife Eliza Mayes, who
also is not only an estimable character, but a helpful and congenial companion. Throughout his eventful life
Mr. Patterson has ever kept before him a high ideal and has resolutely bent every effort to bring to consummation
his plans and undertakings. When starting out for himself, he had nothing but the ordinary necessities of
life as far as material equipments were concerned, but he did have a generous portion of self-confidence, pluck
and determination to succeed. As a result of his indomitable spirit, we find him classed with the successful
and prominent men of the county. Many a hard days' labor in his earlier years was performed for fifty cents
per day, and it was no uncommon thing for Mr. Patterson to split rails for twenty-five cents per hundred. His
first investment was made in land partly cleared. To this he has made frequent additions until now he controls
much valuable land, and is reckoned among the wealthy men of the county. His success has won for him not
only the esteem and good will of his friends and neighbors, but has aroused supreme confidence in his ability and
integrity. During the session of 1875 he represented his county in the Lower House of the Assembly, which
was presided over by the Hon. David Turpie, the governor's chair being filled at that time by the Hon. Thomas A.
Hendricks.
Mr. Patterson has achieved success also as a stock
raiser, and with his son has had interests in the elevators in Shelbyville. In all of these varied business
relations he has maintained the uniform regard and confidence of all of his friends and business associates.
Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Edward H. Chadwick, B. F. & Bowen Co, Indianapolis, Indiana,
pg 815-816.
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HON. WILLIAM PATTERSON, a farmer of Jackson Township,
was born there February 11, 1827. His parents were David L. and Ann (Shaw) Patterson,
natives of Ohio, the latter of whom is yet living and has arrived at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Mr.
Patterson began life on his own responsibility, at the age of twenty, and on December 10, 1846, he was united in
marriage with Miss Charlotte Eberhart, the daughter of John, Willis and
George, of whom Willis is deceased. Mrs. Patterson was called away in 1854, and Mr. Patterson was
married to Loretta Eberhart, a sister to his first wife. Their union was blessed with one child,
Amanda. He owns a fine farm of 480 acres, all of which he has made by adopting a straight forward
course in life. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a staunch Democrat.
In 1874, he was elected to the State Legislature, which position he filled with credit. Loretta, the
second wife of Mr. Patterson, was called away, March 2, 1881, and January 1, 1884, he was married to Miss
Eliza F. Mayes, daughter of M. W. and Nancy Mayes, prominent residents of Jackson Township.
The History of Shelby County, Indiana, "Jackson Sketches", Brant & Fuller, 1877, pg 677.
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