- JUDGE HENRY A. PATTERSON, of the municipal court of Rock
County, was born in the town
- of Lindley, Steuben County, N.Y., on the 8th day of June,
1829, and is a son of Samuel and Grace (UPHAM) PATTERSON. His
father was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in 1792, and was descended
from Scotch-Irish ancestors, while his mother, who was of New
England origin, was a native of Otsego County, N.Y. Our subject
was reared to manhood in his native town, and received his primary
education in the public schools. He continued his studies at
the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, of Lima, after which he attended
the law school of Ballston, Saratoga County, and was admitted
to practice in 1854. The following year he came to the west where
a broader field was afforded, and settling at Janesville, formed
a law partnership with David NOGGLE and Charles G. WILLIAMS,
under the firm name of NOGGLE, WILLIAMS & PATTERSON. Judge
NOGGLE, the senior partner, was later called to the bench, and
became a distinguished jurist of the State. Subsequently, he
was elected to the honorable position of Chief Justice of Idaho,
and his death occurred in 1879. Charles G. WILLIAMS, the second
member of the firm, served several years in Congress, attained
considerable prominence as a statesman, and is now a resident
of Dakota. Mr. PATTERSON continued his connection with the firm
until 1857, when he was elected Justice of the Peace, which position
he filled for five years. He was then elected District Attorney
for Rock County, was re-elected, and after serving four years
resumed practice, which he continued without interruption until
1873, when he was elected to the Legislature. In 1875, on the
termination of his legislative duties, he was appointed Postmaster
of Janesville by President Grant, was re-appointed by President
Hayes and served eight years. Once more he resumed practice,
pursuing his professional business until April, 1887, when he
was elected judge of the municipal court, which position he still
holds.
- On the 10th day of March, 1850, a marriage ceremony performed
at Painted Post, N.Y., united
- the destinies of Judge PATTERSON and Miss Harriet C. PATTERSON,
a very distant relative, who was born at Painted Post, and is
a daughter of John M. and Mary PATTERSON. Two children blessed
their union: Charles H., who was born at Hornellsville, N.Y.,
married Miss Kate SMITH, daughter of A. Hyatt SMITH, and now
resides at Englewood, a suburb of Chicago, where he is in the
employ of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Company.
May E. was born at Janesville, and with her mother is a member
of the Congregational Church of that city.
- In addition to his law practice and official duties, Judge
PATETERSON has always taken a warm
- interest in matters pertaining to the welfare and prosperity
of the city. At present he is a stock-holder in the Janesville
Machine Company, one of its most extensive, prosperous manufacturing
institutions. He has now been identified with the history of
Rock County as a member of the bar or in official positions for
more than thirty-three years, and in every position to which
he has been called has proven capable, prompt and faithful to
every duty. As a lawyer he is distinguished for superior natural
ability and judicial talent, and while District Attorney was
eminently successful. During his term of office it happened that
he was called upon to prosecute in several important criminal
cases in each of which he was successful in landing the offender
behind the bars of the penitentiary. His administration of the
post-office was marked by efficient and faithful discharge of
duty and the general satisfaction of the public. During his term
in the State Legislature, he was true to the interest of his
constituents and the general welfare of the commonwealth of the
State; and while serving as justice and judge of the municipal
court, his course has been marked by fair and impartial rulings
and just and correct decisions.
- Judge PATTERSON is an uncompromising Republican in political
sentiment, has served his party
- faithfully since its organization, and as a citizen is highly
esteemed and universally respected.
-
- Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock
County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 196-197.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|