Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-03-15
The Late George c. Patterson.

The recent lamentable accidental death
by the cars, of Mr.. George G. Patterson calls
from myself more than transient notice.
The parents of Mr.. Patterson moved from
Hagerstown, Nd, to Montgomery county
about 1881, and located on an adjoining
farm. Approaching the acquisition to the
neighborhood by family of such acquire
ments in literature, society, and all that
| commands the respect of community,
availed myself Of the opportunity to Guilt
vate their acquaintance. And must here,
as have often done before, acknowledge
my obligations to the family for free access
to their library, the best at that time in the
county, believe, embracing law, medicine,
history, theology and general literature, in
all about two thousand volumes.
Mrs. Patterson was the best informed lady
on the political history OF the United States
government l ever conversed with. Her
BROTHER the late Matthew st. Clair Clarke,
was gentleman of superior requirements,
and was for years clerk of the House of
Representatives, his acquaintance being
sought by contemporary statesmen and ap-
preciated by all.
The father of the deceased, the late Thos
Patterson, was an eminent physician, and
also librarian of the House of Representa-
tives, and associated with the distinguished
statesmen of his day, Clay, Webster, etc
But the Doctors delight was to improve and
cultivate his beautiful farm. He was also
pioneer in pointing to the Importance OF
lime. Being In advance of the times, he was
called by those who could no. appreciate
him crank farmer, while fitty-eight years
have demonstrated the truth that the Doc
tor was fifty eight years in advance.
These antecedents and "reminiscences are
referred to to show the superior advantages
OF the social, intellectual and general asso-
Citations of the Doctors large family of chill
dren. 1t was under such favorable sur
roundings that the deceased grew up, re-
ceiving u classical education, graduating as
lawyer, appointed TO fill his fathers former
office, librarian to the House of Representa-.
tives, and representing Montgomery county
several times in the Legislature of Mary
land
But our late civil war came, and all know
too well the changes of ties, associations,
ETC., over which throw the veil of the past,
AS previously stated, my past associations
with the family OF the deceased causes me
to discharge duty by giving narrative of
one OF the many noble families that have
passed and are passing away.
On the morning of the lamentable acct
dent met Mr.. George g. Patterson at the
Gaithersburg depot. We entered into u
lengthy discourse on the family changes,
deaths, removals and general mutability of
all earthly associations, in our Vicinity since
the location of his father and family fifty
eight years previously in the county. He
was then returning from visit to the old
mansion of his father. We compared ages,
talked of the farm he formerly owned, on
which the Gaithersburg depot now stands,
and the experienced judgment of his father
in pointing out to us the unsurpassed natu
raj advantages in soil and climate of the vi
cinity. Both realized and spoke Of the short
time left us in this world before we, too,
must pass from earth rs our fathers had be
fore US, and leave time for eternity.
The interview now appears to me almost
prophetic. Standing on the verge of time
no topic could have been more appropriate,
as this was to be our last interview on earth.
Bidding each other farewell, with friend
he took his seat in the cars and within half
an hour passed from time to eternity.
Mr.. Patterson was too well known in the
county tor me to enter into details; but
feel 1t a mournful duty to narrate our last
interview and the sudden, deplorable catas
trophe that followed.
His two children survive him, and to them
tender my sincere coincidence in their al
Fiction, and ifthese lines can possibly light
en- their heavy burden | shall have the mel
ancholy pleasure of trying to alleviate their
sorrows.
JOHN T. DESELLUM.
Summit Hall, March II, 1889.