Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-14

4
Hon. Joseph W. Paterson. one of An
gussa's oldest and best known citizens, died
a. his residence corner Of Hospital and
Myrtle streets, East Side, this city, at 4
o'clock Mondsy morning, March Is Al
though in somewhat feeble health for the
past few months, he kept about until q
week or two ago, and was not confined to
his bed but a few days. Hi. death va.
quiet and painless and vas the result of the
gradual breaking ap Of his system. He
vas 50 years and months sld
| Mr. Patterson was born in wi.cassst, july
I'd, 1863, and was son of Capt. Samuel
| Patterson of that town. who moye,! to Aa-
gusta in the year 1924. COM
ing here to occupy his share of the real
estate left to him. He afserward lived in
the old monitor rooted house on Arsenal
street, now occupied BY Mrs. Gannets His
grandfather was Capt. James Patterson.
master mariner who sailed in the employ
ment Of the Howards and who married Mar
garet. daughter of Capt. James Howard,
-afterward Judge-the original ami only
commander of Fort Western. first perma-
nent settler and trader above Frankfort.
and foremost promoter of the settlement.
He bought the Fort tract Of land and was
private owner of the old Fort itself, erected
saw mill and built the frs, frame house.
known as the Great House" where Bene-
dict Arnold was entertained by him on his
way to Quebec 10 HIS This mar
marriage took place in 1853, and was, says
Mr.. North in his history of Augusta, ''the
first marriage sosemnized a, Cushnoc." His
great grandfather was Deacon David Pat
terson, who was one of the first settlers at
st. Georges rlver on the Waldo Patent in
1850 that Mr.. Patterson's ancestors
were among the early settlers of this sec
ton of Name and contemporaries with the
Hosards and Norths--the leading families
Of thu day and owners Of mos, of the land
in this town on the east side of the river.
In early life Mr.. Patterson went to New
York, but soon returned to Halloweli here
he vas engaged AS clerk in store, but in
iHs2 engaged in trade in the gro
cery business. on the east side of
the river, in which he continued
for many years accumulating handsome
property. He owned two or three farms in
this town and also several houses, and dur
ing the past fifteen or twenty years has had
no active business other than the care of
his farms, rents and other property.
Previous to Augustas becoming city Mr..
Patterson was for four years one of the
selectmen, and after the city charter was
obtained he was for several years one of
the assessors. He was mayor of the city in
lsj5 and again in 1865 and 1867. From 1857
lie also served in the board of aldermen
five years. and for number of years was
street engineer. During these different
terms of service in the various public capac
tiles named. Mr.. Patterson proved most
able and efficient officer, bringing to the
discharge of his public duties the same
thorough care and minuteness that he gave
to his private affairs, and always looking after
the interests of the city in the most consci
entious and careful manner. lie was an au
hority upon all matters of local interest. es-
pecially in relation to the history of the old
families division of lots location of streets
and similar matters. His knowlclg, of
our old families, and the people who lived
in or had gone from Augusta, was more
correct and extensive than of any other
person among us: and he delighted III WIS.,
ting old residents. obtaining facts bout
them, their recollections of the town IN s
early days, etc. all of which was not
down for his future use. Hence he was
called upon to perform q great deal of
business before the probate courts, an | his
services were much sought iii settling es-
tates and in acting as referee in important
cases. He was a great reader and man
was always familiar AMI pleasant, agreeable
to all and held in universal esteem AMI re-
spect. He was Unitarian in rel. gious
faith.
Mr.. Patterson married. Oct. 80, 1884 Miss
Mary ]. daughter of Isaac Sawyer of iiallo-
well by whom he had six children, four OF
whom are now living viz George and Joseph
T now residing in Augusta Edward T. form
ery in the book selling business in this city
now editor and publisher of paper in
Ozark, Missouri, and Hannah s., now Mrs.
c. c. Peck of Middlebury, VI, who is ex-
peeted to arrive in the city today. Mrs.
Patterson died about twelve years ago. The
funeral will be private, on "Wednesday, the
hour not yet having been decided upon