Patton - Thomas F.
Source: Portrait
& Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana
(Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 509
Perhaps no
resident in Montgomery County, Indiana has a career that affords a more
striking example of industry, frugality and determination to conquer
circumstances than Mr. Patton, who early in life began his battle with the
world by entering the arena of business life. By perseverance and industrious
habits he has succeeded in accumulating a good property, while extensive
reading and close observation have attained his mental culture. Mr. Patton was
born near Mace, in the year 1844, and has therefore been a resident of
Montgomery County all his life. His father, Isaac Patton was a native of Ohio
and was numbered among the old pioneer settlers in this section of the state.
Our subject's mother was a Miss Jane HOEL and was also a native of Ohio and a
most estimable lady. She departed this life when the subject of the sketch was
but 9 days old. Thomas F. Patton, whose name heads this biography, was the
youngest of a family of 8 children, all of who grew to mature years. Caroline,
the eldest became the wife of James Kennedy; she died several years ago, leaving
a large family to mourn her loss; David, the oldest son, is a well-known
resident of Elmdale; John died several years ago; Lizzie was the wife of James
GRAHAM to whom she bore 7 children, all of whom survived her; Barney is a
resident of Dakota; William lives in this county; George W, the 7th child,
lives in Exeter, NB. Mr. Patton was reared by Abigail Davis, to whom he is
indebted for the care he received in his infant years, and who is still living
at the venerable age of 98. He received a good education in the common schools
of the county and when 21, married Miss Lucy, a daughter of Josiah and Jane
CARSON DAVIS, both of Kentucky. Previous to his marriage Mr. Patton had been
engaged in buying and shipping stock, but after his marriage he started on his
own responsibility at Ladoga, where he remained nearly two years. His next
enterprise was in Browns Valley, where he commenced the business with which he
is now so largely identified. Mr. Patton is recognized as a strong republican
in political circles, and in the year 1886 was elected as Township Trustee,
which office he held two years. His friends placed him on the ticket for County
Commissioner at a recent election but did not succeed in electing their
candidate. As the representative of large business interests and more than
ordinary ability in commercial circles, Mr. Patton stands with the leading
citizens of this community. He is the father of a family of 11, all of whom are
living and bid fair to swell the number of intelligent citizens in this community.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Patton are active members of the Baptist Church, and are
recognized in this body as earnest Christian workers always anxious to promote
the glory of their Redeemer and the welfare of their fellowmen. The family of
Mr. Patton form an attractive band, in the development of whose understanding,
and in whose training in courtesy and good principles, their parents take great
delight. Children blessed with intelligent, loving parents, whose daily care
for their welfare is bestowed without limit, have much to be thankful for, and
both our subject and his wife are highly respected members of society and fit
guardians of the family with which it has pleased God to bless them. -- transcribed by kbz.