Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-04-06
A. Patterson, Deceased.

A.. J. Patterson, died at his home
in this town, of gastric fever, about
o'clock on the morning OF the 1st
of April, aged 81 years, 4 months
and q days. He was born on his
fathers farm in Spruce Hill town
ship, November 2lst, 1887, was edu-
Gated in the common schools, Tusca
rora Academy and Jefferson College;
read law in Mifiintown and was ad-
mitted to practice in 1861. He
opened an officein Curwinsviiie, Clear
field county and practiced law there
two years. The accumulation of
large fortunes in numbering in that
county attracted hIs attention and
he came to his native eQunty-Juni-
alta, and engaged actively in the lum-
Der trade, after which he in company
with the late Dr.. David Wilson con
Quoted Airy View Academy till in
1874 when he moved to Aitfiintown,
to resume the practice of his pro-
fession, where he built up and en-
ioyed large practice to the time of
the illness, that removed him from
our midst. He was district attorney
three years, was the choice of the
Democracy of Juniata for the presi-
dent judgeship In the 4lst Judicial
district but gave way for the nomi-
nation of Hon. Chss A Barnett.
Ran for Congress in 1884, but the
tide of his party was ebbing at that
time and he was defeated in the out
ward flow. he was offered the Cover
nership Of one of the territories of
the United States by President
Cleveland, but declined the ap-
pointment. In 1891, he was again
the choice of Juniata for the Judge
ship of the 41st judicial district, but
as In 1884 the flow of the political
tide was against the Democracy and
he was defeated in the quadrangular
judicial contest of that year. He was
religious man and while teaching
in Airy View Academy was elected
an elder of the Port Royal Presby-
terian church and held that position
when he came to Mifflintown. Here
he held the office of Superintendent
of the Presbyterian Sabbath school
a number OF years and was elected
an elder Of the Westminster Presby.
terian congregation, but Rev. l.. Y.
Hayes, who was then pastor Of the
congregation, perpstrated the out
raSeous indignity OF refusing to Install
him Under that indiguity Nr. Pat
terson exhibited the highest christian
virtue, and without contention. he
quietly withdrew from the Presby-
terian church and united himself with
the Lutheran congregation. He had
the greatness of spirit TO look over the
iealousies and contention of weaker
men, and had it been dscrced for
him to have cast his lot in a populous
district he would have achieved for
tune and fame, for he was a clear
and forceful writsr and an eloquent
public speaker, bat he was content
in his native valley To him the
things of time ana sense wars a
feetIng show, wealth an empty
baub.e, and fame puff of Idle human
breath. He was q man of literary
tastes, student of man and events
of both the past and present, a good
citizen in every senss of the term.
He was an Odd Fellow, devoted
husband, kind and indulgent faith
er, pleasant neighbor.
Our recollection of Mr.. Patterson
will over be pleasant and cannot be
effacod On number of occasions
We spoke from the same platform to
large harvest home meetings In
Tuscarora Valley, and once with him
made common cause before the
Teachers Institute of Juniata county
for the establishment of an uniform
ity of text. books for the common
schools in Juniata and from that
day to this the barter of school books
has been driven into secret caucuses
instead OF exhibiting its shameless
face in the presence of teachers ln'
stitutes. We remember the first time
We saw him. 1t was during the flag
raising excitement q day after the
stars and stripes over Fort Sumptel
had been fire upon. He was then 6
student at law with Hon. Andrew
Parker and had cana to town fol
recitation. A crowd wild with ex
citement had assembled on Maine
street opposite the Court House
how he came to be in it we never
learned, Just as We passed by he was
hurrahed for a speech, but he wai
too much excited to speak.
The last time we saw him was only
day or two before he was taker
ssriously i'll He had just been read
ing of Martin Luther and the refor
nation, and he was deeply impressed
with the stupendous influence tina
the Elector of SaXony exercised owe,
the verdict that was shaped in tn,
Diet of Worms "It was the inhuenc,
of the Elsctor of Saxony," he sale
"that saved Luther from the fate o
the stake and burning fagot ant
made the reformation success anC
laid the foundations for the republic
of the United States OF America.
Such was A. j. Patterson, as W
knew him as student and thinker
How can we we ever forget him.
The bar held meeting, at whic'
speeches appropriate to the life, worl
and memory Of the deceased wer
made, and series of resolution
passed The funeral services wer
conducted by Rev. III. @. Hollowa,
D. D, Of the Lutheran church, assis
ted by Rev. J. r. Henderson of tn
Pref byteriap church. A long prC
cession of Odd Fellows, and loni
concourse of people attended the re
mains 10 its lsst resting place in th