Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-08-08
GEN. ROBERT PATTERSON.
Death of An Old and Tried Soldier.

| suffering for two weeks from Bright's dis
ease of the kidneys and fatty degeneration
| of the heart, died at $50 last evening, at
his residence in Philadelphia. aged 80. He
was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, on the
twelfth of January, 1892. While a mere
youth, he came to the United States, aud
was placed in care of merchant, and
after good education had u military ex-
perience by service in the war of 1Sl, ;,
which he left with the rank of captain.
Returning to commercial life at the close
of the war, he became in time, largely in
| terested in manufacturing business, which
he carried ON successfully for many years,
| and at the time of his death was owner of
three cotton mills, in which over 900 ope
ratives are employed. He took great in
terest in militia organization in his city and
state, and became the major general of the
First division in 1924, which rank he held
for forty years. In the violent political
disturbances which took place in Decem.
Der. 1885, General Patterson, in obedience
| to requisitiOn from the governor, repair
ed to Harrisburg with his division, and by
his prompt, energetic anil sOldierly de-
pertinent allayed the unhappy excitement
which then prevailed at the capital, and
| which, but fog his fOrbearance and good
| cOa'NNo, AA'sSo pIOuuCC0l LuC MOSC
disastrous consequences. In 1914 he ren-
dered important military service in SUD-
pressing the disgraccfnl riot Of that date.
He took a high position in the Mexican
war and at the outbreak of the late war
was at once commissioned by Gov. Curtin
as major general, and assigned to the COM
mand OF the Pennsylvania three months
volunteers ordered by the Federal gov-
crnnent to the command of a military de-
partment composed of the states of Penn
sylvania, Delaware and Maryland and the
| District OF Columbia assumed command
OF the troops at Chambcrsburg, Pa, and
moved into Maryland, finally crossing the
| r0tomac at WilllamspOrt; pursued Jack
soa to Hainesville, and held his forces at
Winchester during the battle of Bull Run.
In early life he was decided Democrat,
and took an active part in politics, es-
pecially i'll support Of his dear old friend
General Jackson, hut never held political
office. "When left my fathers house."
he said one day, "abOut seventy Years
ago, determined not to take an Office Of
profit, but to rely on my own energy and
industry to support myself and my family
If ever had one. have adhered to this
purpose, and have not allowed either of
my sons to take an Office Of profit. have
voted at every presidential election since
the war of 1912, was on intimate and
friendly terms with Monroe, Adams,
jackson, Van Buren,, Harrison, Polk, Tay-
lOr, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln and Gran: ::
have cined with nearly all Of them at the
| White House, and most of them have
dlncd at my house. had the honor of
Intimate and friendly relations with Henry
Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Benton, Hugh
L. White, Tazewell, Grundy, Dallas,
Pn'ndexter, Lincoln, OF Massachusetts,.
Siias Wright, Marcy, Bayard, Reverdy
johnson and most of the intellectual giants
OF the Senate and House of Representa-
tives in bygone days.
| When the civil war broke out, some Of
the local politicians took it into their heads
that lie was disloyal, because he was 4
democrat. and they committed the folly
o! sending :; crowd to his house to force
him to put out the flag. A number OF gen
tIemen heard OF the proceeding, and rallied
to the generals house, and placed them
selves inside for his defense. The multi
| tude came, and the venerable citizen
: stepped to the front of his residence and
boldly faced them. He told them he had
heard of their visit, and that he was ready
for them. 4" have fought for my country
and for the cid flag in two great wars,
and shall do as much against the present
rebellion. But do not apologize to YOU.
on Will be Sorry for this wrong to one OF
my years but, before I 60, want to give
You little advice. Go to the front your
selves, and when you have shown the right
k'hd OF patriotism, you can come and
teach it to me-" Needless to say that the
party retired a good deal crestfailen,
General PattersOn's public emDlOvmcnts
have been chiefly confined to the military
service OF the country. He has, however,
occupied several civil stations of promin-
ence. lie was tho first president of the
Philadelphia & Wilmington railroad COM
pany. When the state of Pennsylvania
resolved to commence system of internal
improvements, and authorized the appoint.
ment of board of canal commissioners,
to consist Of nine persons, General Patter-
son was appointed by Governor Shultz,
in 1927 one of the board. After serving
about two years he resigned. He was
presidential electOr, and presided over the
electoral college in 1887. He was for
many years president of the board of in
| spectors of the eastern penitentiary. and
as early us 1917 elected by the Legislature
director of the Philadelphia bank, con-
tinued until the war with Mexico, when
| this appointment, and others Of civil
character which he held, were vacated by
HIM in consequence Of his appointment as
major general in the army Of the United
states. For many years he has been
president of the Hibcrnian society.
STATE ITEMS.