The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-12-22
long residence

Sumner A. patten, son of Joseph aud
Joanna (Harlow) Patten, was born in
Skowhegan (theu Milburn), December
6, 1920. His grandfather, Samuel Pat
ten, was born in 1862, married Deborah
Moore, and they reared family of ten
children. His great-grandfather, who
also bore the Civ. .sstne samuel came
to this country from Ireland when he
was ii years old. His father, Joseph
PaIten. was Que of the earliest settlers
and merchants of Skowhegap, WAS for
many years chairman of the board OF
selectmen and represented the town one
term in the legislature, enjoying the
! confidence of his tOwnsmeu until his
death, which occurred January TO- 1858.
Sumner A. Patten was educated in the
common schools and Bloomfield Acad-
envy and Maine Wesleyan Seminary at
Kent's Hill. At different times for some
years he WAS clerk in his fathers store
and when not thus engaged was employ
ed as teacher in town schools, Somerset
and adjoining counties. Upon reaching
the age of % years he entered upon the
study of medicine and took his first
course of lectures ut Bowdoin college.
He further pursued his medical studies
at Harvard medical school, where he
graduated in March 194S, receiving a
diploma having The signatures of Gusta-
vus Charming, Jacob Bigelow, J. W.
Webster, J B. S. jackson. John Ware
and Oliver w. Holmes.
He entered upon the practice of his
profession in Monson, Piscataquis coun.
ty, where he remained, excepting a few
years absence during the war, until
! 1879, when he came to SkowhegaG,
which always had a warm place In his
heart, where he practiccd his profession
until physica ntirmaties prevented fur
ther laboIs.
In June 1862 DR.. Patten WAS commits
stoned assistant surgeon of the First
Maine Cavalry and served with the reg
iment until February 1863, when he was
honorahly discharged. After his return
to Maine he was appointed surgeon of
the board of enrolment of the 4th Con.
gressional district, with headquarters at
Bangor, faithfully performing the duties
of that position until the close of the
war. He was a member of Somerset
Medical Association and of the Maine
Medical Association. He also served on
the board of pension examiners in this
county for several years. He was much
interested in the Masonic fraternity,
being an honored member OF Somerset
Lodge, +. & A. M, Somerset X. A.
Chapter, and De Molay Commandery,
X. T. He served as Master Of Somerset
lodge and commander of De MOlav Com
mandery, and also as master of Doric
lodge at Monson. He was also mem
Der of Russell Post, g. A. X. and served
one year as commander of that post.
He was an active and Jealous Republican,
and served two terms in the State senate
for Piscataquis county, 1869 and 1870.
He also served on the board of trustees
of the State Normal schools. He was a
man of superior literary attainment, a
great reader, a close student, and a
graceful public speaker whose services
were always welcome and warmly APP
preciated, especially by the people of
our town where he was so thoroughly
known.
DR.. Patten was married October 81 q,
1S49, to Miss Nancy M. Bsrrows of
Blanchard, Maine, and they had two
children, Milton A. Patten, who met his
death nv drowning. July 4, 1882. and
Lizzie h, now Mrs. W. II. Pulen of
" ushington, ID. c. DR.. Patterns first
wife died October s, 1888, and he subse-
quently married Miss Emeline c. Taylor
of MOnson. Maine, who died March is,
1877. Roland T. Pstten. the son born
of this union, October 20, 1864. is now n
prominent citizen of our town and
treasurer of Somerset county.
The funeral service occurred AT his
home on Wednesday afternoon, and was
conducted by Rev. b. c. Wentworth in
the presence of a large number of