The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-06

When a mans early life has been
spent on a farm, that fact alone is US
ually more than nine-tenths OF sur
ficient reason for any success he may
attain in later life, whether this sue
cess been in commercial activities, So
ciety, or citizenship, and better STILL
if in all these commendabie assets.
Farmer boys usually appear contented
with little schooling, and lots OF hard
work. but when Moss Patterson hust-
led about on his fathers farm at Nc
Curtain. Oklahoma, years ago he
went after both, and succeeded in get
ting them. His parents We're in rather
destitute circumstances at the time
and the boy was forced to work while
attending the lower grades of the pub
lie schools there. So he entered into
competition for the position" as jan
tor Of the school which he attended,
and won. At $50 o'clock in the
morning. Moss would get out into the
small woods near his home with an
axe, and chop the wood which he
later carried in bucket to the school
house a mile away, so that the build
ing would be warm when the teachers
and other pupils arrived. He then at
tended the classes during the day.
and when the other youngsters left
for their homes after the days ses-
sions were over, some of them to
study, others to play Moss would re-
main in the building and sweep the
floors wash the windows, and perform
all the other duties required of first
class janitor' For this work, he re-
ceivel the munGicent monthly salary
of s.. The school term lasted eight
months, so Moss had $40 when the
term was completed with which TO
buy his clothes and other necessities
of life which his parents were unable
to provide for him.
Moss was born at GAINESVILLE, Mo-. on
July 7th, 1899. When he was eight
years old, he came with his parents
to oklahoma.
After completing the public school
course at McCurtain. Moss was not-sat-
isfied with merely his preliminary edu-
cation, so he eptered the normal school
at Stigler. Okla, and upon gradua-
tion from that institution received
second grade teachers certificate. He
earned his way through the normal
school by. playing on the baseball anu
other athletic teams Moss had the
reputation OF being one Of the best
all around athletes in the vicinity.
While at Stigler, Moss formed the
acquaintance of Tom Cooper, who at
the time ran gin mill there. Later,
when Mr.. Cooper sold out his mill, and
opened a Ford agency, Moss, who
had always been attracted by machin-
cry, spent much OF his time in Mr.
Cooper's garage. He displayed 'sucn
keen interest in the automobile game
that Mr.. Cooper offered him position
as mechanic at an Ardmore branch
which he had opened. at s75 per
month, and loaned the young mar
5000 to defray the expense of moving
his family to Ardmore. This occur
red during 1915. Mr.. Patterson &C
cepted the position, and came with his
| wife to this city. He was promoted
TO salesman a short time after his
arrival. Mr.. Cooper had taken grea'
liking to the boy, due to his con
sclentious labor and Willingness u
learn. and financed Moss so that hi
might accept the Dodge agency In
Ardmore. in partnership with Shelter
Tyer. Later he sold out his Interest
in the firm TO Mr.. Tyer, and In jana
airy. 1920, aided In the organization o
the Patterson Motor Company, o
which firm he was made general man
ager and which position he now holds
Mr.. Patterson married Miss Mel
Graham, of Chant, Okla, whom HI
had met while attending normal schoo
at Stigler. Chant was neighor
ing town TO Stigler, and the residents
of the two towns had bitter teelint
against each other. The feeling wa!
so intense. In fact. that the parents o
the children of one town forbade as
ISOLATION with the children OF TN
other. However. Moss was able Il
overcome this barrier" by meeting
the girl who became his future VIII
! when he visited Chant as a member o
the Stiglcr school athletic team, on
then again when Miss Graham viStcs
Stigler. as member Of the chan
school basketball team. Mr.. and Mrs
Patterson are the proud parents q
three children, Mary Nell, aged
Dorothy, aged 2. aud Beri, an infant
Mr.. Patterson has met with gr~l
success since he became affiliated will
the Patterson Motor Company. Hh
business has grown to "a considcrabl
extent. the reasons for which ar
brought out In another column q
this paper He owns a fine home II
this city, has cleaned his slate of debts
and although but ~ years old. hold
position among the leaders In tn
commercial life OF the Southwest.