The morning call., 1892-11-08

jefferson participated have become so rare
that perhaps in the length ana breadth of
the lard We could count their number on
our fingers ends,
In wonder we contemplate a life which
is coextensive. almost with that of the re-
public and which h ad its beginmng far back
in the days when Washington was still
alive.
R. Foster Patten was at the time of his
death but few years younger than the
national constitution and had lived under all
the Presidents.
He wes the first American settler on the
other side of San Francisco Bay.
He had resided at 1920 Seventh avenue,
Oakland, for over forty years.
He was born in Maine in February, 1897.
His father was a tanner By trade and early
10 life Instructed his sons in the same
vocation.
In 1912, while the war with England was
still at its height the family removed to
Nova Scotia where they remained until
Robert was 81.
Later they returned to Maine and in 1849
Robert, with his two brothers, determined
TO try their fortunes in the far West.
William was The first to go, but was soon
followed by Robert, who embarked in tie
ship Sweden at Boston. Mass. sailing by
way of Cape Horn and reaching San Fran
cisco. August 4. Here he joined his
brother
After a few weeks delay In the neigbor-
hood of this city they determined to cross
the bay and visit the giant redwoods Of San
Antonio. They set out for the Contra
Costa in a small WhaiebOat and landed
| where the railroad bridge is now standing.
The luxuriant growth of vegetation that
covered the plains about there st once in-
pressed the brothers with the value OF the
land for aiming paTpose5.
They leased $40 acres from Antonio Maria
Peralta. who was then living in Areadlan
simplicity at Fruityale. Ii was at this time
that Edward died. The other two continued
their farming with the most fattering re-
suits.
On the site of that part of Oakland known
as Clinton they cut fifty tons OF hay the first
| year. The market price OF hay was then
| S80 but the brothers only netted $40. as the
transportation TO San Francisco was SO a
| ton.
| In the course of their rambles about the
! coast they came across Moses Chase. who
was lying i'll in tent about where the foot
| OF Broadway now is.
The brothers nurscd the sick man back to
| strength and induced him TO lease a tract Of
| land adjoining their farm.
In 1852 they built the first residence in
| Oakland. A portion Of the cottage still
| remains. They had previously lived in n
tent. but that was not only inconveninet. but
| dangerous, on account of the herds of wild
cattle that roamed the country.
1t was in this same year, 1852. that the
/ first ferry was run between San Francisco
and the embarcadero OF San Antonio. The
| craft was a plunger, called the Pirouette,
and piled across the bay to accommodate
/ the developing lumber trade of the redwoods
| district.
1t was in 1854 that $50 acres of Patten's
| best land was plated to make tOwnste.
| Many families had now settled on that side
/ of the bay, and they resolved TO form the
| nucleus of town. In the interior Of Ala
| media County modern ideas had not rs yet
| found their way. and bullhghts and like
| institutions were considered quite the thing.
| Through all the vicisstudes of fortune
| that have attended Oakland the Patten
| brothers were prominent contributors 10 It's
| civil and material prosperity.
Though II was many years ago that the
| late Mr.. Patten retired from active business
| his interest in everything affecting the city
in no way abated. When he became Infirm
and was unable to walk down 10 the poll:
on election days his friends never failed Il
send carriage that the old gentleman
| might 60 downtown and east his ballot. Al
the last Republican primary his last vote
| was cast for Guy Earl for the State Senate
Mr., Patten's habits i'm life were mos
prudent and careful. He inherited rugged
| constitution, but never took advantage o.
! the fact 10 abuse il. He was always care
| ful Of what he ate and how be was clothed
| His generosity is said to have been alm0s
unlimited and lie never could withstand al
| appeal for aid. To his inherited strength
and the care he took OF 1T his remarkable
| longevity can be attributed.
| His last illness was OF most serious
nature and was aided by the weakness IL
separabie from age. Toward the end he
was free from violent pain, his life seeming
to ebb gently away.