ABSALOM [sic; should be 'ABSOLOM'] PATTERSON. A number of the large landowners of Sullivan Township, Moultrie County, who have passed through hard struggles and by their industry and perseverance have attained the point where they may rest from labor, are retiring from business and making their homes in Sullivan, than which no place is probably more delightful in which to seek comfort. Our subject, who is a retired farmer, came to the city from his farm in 1890, having been for many years a stock buyer and shipper and still owns eleven hundred and forty acres in Sullivan Township, most of which is improved, the remainder of it being well stocked and used as pasture land.

Mr. Patterson is a native of this township, being born her when it was known as a part of Shelby County, his natal day being September 28, 1836. All of his fine estate was prairie land when he took it and he has himself brought it to its present splendid condition and has been a successful man in every endeavor of his life.

David Patterson, the father of our subject, came to this part of Illinois in 1833 after having lived for a few years in Edgar County. Later in life he returned to his native home in Marshall County, Tenn., where he died in 1867 at the age of sixty years, being followed two years later by his wife. She was a native of Pennsylvania, Polly Harbaugh by name, and her parents belonged to that class known as Pennsylvania Dutch. They removed to Kentucky and later to what is now Moultrie County, becoming pioneers and living here to a green old age.

David Patterson and his wife were members of the Christian Church, and they were always successful in life. Mr. Patterson was a Democrat in his political views and at an early day under the old law he had been associate County Judge and also held other local offices. Our subject is the fifth in a family of seven children, four of whom are yet living, are married, and reside in this county. The first marriage of our subject united him with Naomi Henry, who died leaving him one child, Mary, who followed her to the spirit land within seven days. This young wife was a native of Shelby County and made her home in Illinois through life.

The second marriage of Mr. Patterson took place in Moultrie County and gave to him as a companion Miss Matilda Souther who was born in this county and who also died while young, leaving one child, Carrie, who grew to be an attractive and beautiful young woman and married Elias Woodruff. She, like her mother, died during her early wedded life, passing away in the summer of 1890, leaving one daughter -- Ethel by name. The present Mrs. Patterson was known in her maidenhood as Miss Susie Ireland. She is a native of Kentucky and came when a young woman to Illinois where she met and married Mr. Patterson. She is the mother of four children, namely: Wesley, who took to wife Miss Florney Wagoner, and lives upon a farm in Sullivan Township with his wife and two children--Montie and Ora; the three other children are still beneath the parental roof and bear the names of Gertie B., Levi L. and Louie G. Mrs. Patterson is a member of the Christian Church of Sullivan and is an active and earnest promoter of all Christian work. Mr. Patterson has been three terms the Supervisor of Sullivan Township and has held other local offices. He takes a genuine interest in political movements, being a decided Democrat in his convictions and an earnest worker for the prosperity of his county.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 273/274

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb