Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 16. J. M. PATTERSON Although one of the venerable citizens of The Dalles, J. M. Patterson figures prominently in public affairs as county treasurer, an office which he has filled with ability for seven years, and he is also an honored veteran of the Civil war. Of Scotch and Irish lineage, he was born in Ohio, November 26, 1845, and his parents, John and Eliza (Glenn) Patterson, were natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in the Buckeye state, to which John Patterson migrated when a young man, and there engaged in farming for a short period after which he began merchandising in which he continued until 1862, when he started for Oregon, making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama. He located in Salem and assisted in building its first sawmill. For three years he was identified with the operation of the plant and in 1865 went to Iowa, becoming connected with the same line of business. In 1868 he disposed of his property in the Hawkeye state and returned to Oregon, purchasing an interest in the Salem sawmill, with which he had previously been identified. Mr. Patterson conducted the business successfully until his death in 1874 and his wife passed away about eight years later. Three of their children reached mature years, namely: J. M.; and Mrs. Angeline King and Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, who are now deceased. In the acquirement of an education J. M. Patterson attended the public schools of New Concord, Ohio, where he also learned telegraphy and afterward went to Des Moines, Iowa. On September 9, 1861, when a youth of sixteen, he joined Company A, of the Fifteenth Ohio Infantry. He served for sometime in the ranks afterwards being transferred to the United States signal corps in which he served until the close of the war. He was released from military duty September 9, 1864, at the end of his term of three years, and then reentered the service as a civilian remaining with the telegraph corps of the United States Army until May 1, 1865, when he returned to private life. After the close of the war he took a course in a business college at Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1869 came to Oregon. For three years he was assistant postmaster of Salem and in April, 1885, journeyed to eastern Oregon, becoming a clerk on the Warmspring Indian reservation. A year later he came to The Dalles as bookkeeper for the A. M. Williams Company, with which he spent eight years, and then entered the First National Bank. Mr. Patterson was elected cashier of the institution, which he represented in that capacity for three years, and from 1901 until 1905 was postmaster of The Dalles. He was secretary of the local Business Men's Association for three years and in 1908 purchased a fruit ranch near The Dalles. For sixteen years he was the owner of the farm, devoting his attention to the production of cherries with varying success, and in 1927 sold the property. Meanwhile he had been called to public office, becoming treasurer of Wasco county in 1921, and at the end of his term of two years was reelected for a period of four years. The work of his department is performed with system and efficiency and his retention in the office proves that his worth is appreciated. In 1872 Mr. Patterson married Miss Blanche Gray, whose parents, G. W. and Prudence Gray, are deceased. Mrs. Patterson was born in Iowa and passed away February 8, 1913. She had become the mother of four children, all of whom were born in Oregon. The son, Edward G., was married and at his death left two children, Dorothy and Prudence. Beulah, the second in order of birth, was educated in the local schools and for twenty-six years has been assistant postmistress of The Dalles. Her sister, Prudence, was educated in Salem.' During the World war she was acting secretary of The Dalles Chamber of Commerce and has been clerk of the school board since 1921. William Glenn, the second son, went to France with the American Expeditionary Force, serving in-the ordnance department of the army, and is now a traveling salesman for the Goodrich Tire & Rubber Company. He is married and resides in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Patterson belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is a past commander of J. W. Nesmith Post, No. 32. He is also connected with the Woodmen of the World and takes a keen interest in the affairs of these organizations. For more than four decades he has witnessed the panorama of progress in Wasco, county and rejoices in what has been accomplished. His life has been rightly lived and although eighty-two years of age he is alert and vigorous, deriving contentment and happiness from the performance of useful work. By nature he is genial, frank and sympathetic and enjoys the esteem of a host of friends, by whom he is affectionately termed "Jerry." ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.