The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-04
Death of James F. Patterson.

Death of James F. Patterson.
On Thursday evening last, JAS F. Patter
son, Esq, the venerable clerk of the city
council and hustings court, died at his home
in this city after brief illness of pneumonia
He was eighty -one years of age and for three
score years had been resident OF Staunton
coming to this place from Winchester, wher
it was but a village. In his. younger dayssht
was clerk in the store of Mr.. NJ Warder, and
subsequently became member of the drug
with the masonic fraternity, and became one
of the brightest and most devoted members OF
that order. For many years he had held the
position of secretary of the lodge. and Recor-
der of the Commandery. For thirty five
wears he was clerk of the Hastings Court, and
for long time had held the position of secrc-
tary to the Board of Directors of the D. d. &
B. Institution. He was fine penman, and
took great pride in the manner in which his
records were kept. Mr.. Patterson was man
of fine natural sense, strong character, and
many admirable qualities. He was always
attentive to his duties, and in their discharge
exhibited uniform courtesy. For years he
had been consistent member of the Presby-
terian church and one Of the trustees. The
deceased leaves five children: DR.. FL. NJ Pat
terson, of Highland; Howard, Prime and
Frank Patterson, of W. Va, and Miss Mary
Patterson of this city. DR.. Patterson had just
lett the dying bedside of his daughter, Mrs S.
F. Lindsey, when he was summoned to attend
that of the father to whom he was so affect
ionately devoted.
The funeral took place on Saturday and was
attended by large concourse. The Stone
wall Brigade Band, Masons, and city coun-
Gil attended in body. The pail bearers
were:
Masons.-A NJ. Simpson. E. W. Harman
II. M. McIlhany, w. l.. Lushbaugh.
Church Taustees.-Jos. A. Wadd, IL, VIM. B.
Kayser.
Councal-John W. Todd, F. B. Berkeley.
ACTION OF THE BAR.
On Saturday morning meeting of the men,
bers of the Stanton Bar was held in the court
ROOM VIM. j. Nelson, Esq, was called to
the chair, and VIM. Patrick, Esq, requested
to act as secretary The following committee
was appointed TO draft resolutions, viz: A.
C. Gordon, Edward Echols, G. NJ. Harrison.
The committees report was unanimously
adopted as follows:
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God in his wis
dom to remove from the scene of his long labors up
on earth our venerable and esteemed Clerk of the
Hastings Court for the City of Staunton, JAMES +.
PATTERSON; and whereas the Bar of this city desire
to testify their appreciation of his worth OFF,
Ger, faithful to his duty, and courteous and kind
in all his official and private dealings with its mem
beers and sense OF their loss in his death,-
THEREFORE,, BE 1T RESOLyED-1hat the members
of the Bar Of the City of Staunton hereby express
their unfeigned sorrow and regret at the death of
Mr. Patterson; and that they extend TO his family
their sincere coincidence and sympathy in this deep
afiiiction that has been visited upon them:
RESOLVED, That the court In his death, has lost
Jealous and faithful officer, ana the Bar kind and
courteous friend.
RESOLVED, that these resolutions be spread upon
the records OF the COURT and copy sent to the IA
mily Of the deceased and the newspapers of the
city.
ACTION OF THE COUNCIL.
At a special meeting of the city council held
on Thursday night, the following beautiful
tribute to the memory OF the deceased was pre-
pared and submitted by Maj. 7. c. Elder Ii
was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED, that the following minutes relative to
the death Of James F. Patterson, late Clerk of this
body, be spread ON the records OF the Council, and
that copy of the same be sent to the family of the
deceased.
The venerable James F. Patterson, for 81 years
clerk of this council having in the course Of nature
and under the dispensation of an all-wise Provi-
dence, been removed from EARTH this body deems
eminently due to his memory, and but Just to them
selves, to place on record some testimonial of the
long public service and sterling worth Of the de-
ceased.
James F. Patterson was more than an ordinary
He al tanned the age of nearly 81 years, and
The whole Of his long lie characterized by
affected modesty strict sobriety, unquestioned IN
tegrity unnaggtng industry, and devotion to duty
that surmounted all obstacles. For many years
member Of the church. his Christian life, SO far
his fellow man could Judge, appeared to be blame
less.
During the long period of his official connection
with this body, he was punctual, unremitting, OBJ
gng and efficient in the discharge of his duties-
Although he had attained to age In life at which
capacity for useful service by the few who reach
is supposed to be at an end yer, within few days
Of his decease and TO the day he striker with
the disease that terminated his earthly pilgrimage,
he at his place Of business in the efficient dis
charge of all Its duties. He seldom complained of
the hardships Of life of the exacting and some
times disagreeable duties of official station he
never pleaded advanced age or physical inf1rmty
an exemption from labor; his ambition, If he
could be called a man Of ambition, was, when the
last summons came, to be found at his proper place
in the discharge of the work which, in the allotment
of life's duties, had fallen to him.
Not very often Is 1t that we are called upon to
mourn the death Of such a man, and we honor our
selves by doing honorto his memory.
The council, as further respect to the memory
of the deceased, will attend his funeral in body