The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-09-17
Samuel L. Patterson.
State Sustains Distinct Loss in
the Death of Hon. Samuel
l.. Patterson, Commissioner
of Agriculture, Who Has
lust Passed Away.

Hon. Samuel L. Patterson, Commits
sioner of Agriculture of North Caro-
lima. died at his home in Happy Val
lev. near Lenoir, Caldwell county,
Monday morning, aged 50 years. His
death was not unexpected. He had
been in failing health for several
years. victim of Bright's disease.
OF Mr.. Patterson's business and
political career and his services to
the State. the News and Observer
gives the following brief sketch:
Samuel Legerwood Patterson was
born the 9th of March, 1850, his father,
Gen. Samuel Finley Patterson, being at
one time president of the Raleigh and
CASTOR Railroad. He entered the State
University at the age of II, remaining
there till 1868, when the University was
closed. He spent one year in the Uni
versitv of Virginia Mr.. Patterson be-
gan bis business life as clerk and book
keeper at Winston-Salem.
Mr.. Patterson's early political affilia-
lions were with the Republican party;
but his character won for him the high
regard of the people of Forsyth county,
and besides being appointed a justice OF
the peace by a Democratic Legislature,
he was elected a county commissioner in
a Democratic county. In 1880 he was
appointed supervisor OF the census.
He, supported Cleveland for the Presi-
dency, espousing the Democratic cause,
believing in this party platform regard
ing the tariff, and that the Federal ad-
ministration should be changed. In
1891 Mr.. Patterson was nominated for
the House of Representatives by the
Democrats OF Caldwell county and elect
ed In that body he displayed fine ability;
when the Legislature proposed to exact
from Senator Vance, who was candidate
for reelection to the United States Sen
ate, pledge to support certain meas
ure, and the Senator was determined not
tie pledge himself in that manner,
Mr.. Patterson proposed a modification
which relieved the situation of it's en-
barassment, and was acceptable both to
Senator Vance and the Farmers State
Alliance.
At the following election, Mr.. Patter-
son was sent by his district to the State
Senate, where he distinguished himself
and achieved wide recognition. H. had
been appointed member of the State
Board OF Agriculture, but resigned upon
the event of his election; and his services
being so really acceptable, and his ability
| so generally recognized, after the Legis
lature adjourned he was elected Com
missioner OF Agriculture, which position
he held until 1897, when the Republican
| ticket carried in the State. He was again
elected to the House In 1898, and that
| body reelected him Commissioner OF Ag-
riculture During that session OF the
| General Assembly the law relating to
the Commissioner of Agriculture was so
changed as to provide for his election by
the people in the general State election
with other officers for the term OF four
years. He was nominated by the Demo-
Gratis and elected to that office with
| Governor Aycock in 1900. and was re-
elected in 1904 with Governor Glenn.
| Mr.. Patterson was married on the
18th of April. 1878. to Miss Mary s.
Sensman. of Salem. a daughter of the Rt.
| Rev. f. T. Senseman. a Moravian min
lister OF Indiana. 1t was after his mar
riage that he adopted agriculture as his
vocation in life, for which his experience
and education we'll fitted him. He be-
came one of the most successful agricu-
turists in North Carolina, and his farm
in Caldwell county, like his beautiful
| home, is a model.
| AS Commissioner of Agriculture Mr..
| Patterson built up department that
has accomplished untold good in North
! Carolina and given greater impetus and
encouragement to the agricultural inter-
ests OF the State than any other instl-
tuition. For many years the Chairman
| of the State Board of Agriculture was
ex-officio chairman of the board Of
trustees OF A. & M. College; in that ca
pacity Mr. Patterson was a moving fac
tor in the promotion and development
of the College. The growth of that
! great institution was parallel with that
of the Department of Agriculture, under
tn ewise administration of Commissioner
| Patterson.
| The Department OF Agriculture from a
| small branch of the State government,
| has become one OF tremendous influence
| Many times the laws regarding it have
been revised, charging the scope OF it's
| operations, until now it has become the
foremost State Department of Agricul-
ture in the South and one of the most
successful in the whole country. In re-
| cent years Commissioner Patterson led
| the States of the Union in having the
Legislature to enact pure food and pure
| feed laws. They have become models for
State laws.
Commissioner Patterson's foresight
and wisdom were felt in every phase OF
agriculture in North Carolina. The live
stock, poultry, trucking, horticultural
and other industries received greatest en-
couragement from him. For their bene-
fit and protection special divisions were
created in the department, and new Off
GERS appointed, among these being the
State veterinarian, horticulturist, en-
tomologist. etc, and besides establish
ing splendid and successful test farms, he
but recently added to the department an
official to conduct demonstration farms.
The chemistry division of the North Caro-
lima Department of Agriculture is recog-
nized to be unsurpassed.
Mr.. Patterson accomplished a great
work in North Corolina; he will be long
| remembered