The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-08
JOHN H. PATTERSON
.SUCCUMBS TO HEART
ATTACK ON TRAIN
Suddenly Falls Unconscious and
Dies Before Medical Assist
ance Could Reach Him.
STARTED LIFE AS A
FARMLAND IN OHIO
Retired in 1921 as Head of the
Biggest Business of It's
Kind in the World.
q The Ass0eIated Pressl

ATLANTIC CITY N. J., May ~
John T. Paterson, founder and chair
man of the Board Of Directors Of the
National Cash Register Company.
Dayton. Ohio died suddenly today
aboard a train bound for this city.
Mr. Patterson was stricken with a
heart attack and died before medical
assistance could reach him. He was
seated in a chair chatting with his
valet, his only companion, when, as
the train passed through KHkwood.
Camden county. he suddenly fell un-
conscious. DR.. 7. F. Trudeau. of sa-
ranac Lake, y. Y, who was in the
next car, was summoned and tried
to revive the stricken man. but all
restoratives failed. He had been a
sufferer from a chronic cardiac con-
ditiou
The body was brought to this city
and the authorities after investigation,
ordered it sent to an undertaking par
lor.
The valet wired the family and is
awaiting Instructions
Started Life as Piowboy.
John Henry Patterson, who started
life al a farmland rear Dayton. Olsfd.
and established the biggest business
Of its kind in the world on the land
that he had plowed as q boy, retired
as president Of the National Cash
Register Company on July Is. 1921
Upon retirement he was elected chair
man OF the board Of directors. an hon
orary position. At the time OF retire
ing, he was II years old. having been
born on a farm, December 13, 1874
he did farm work. canal toll coll
lecting, retailing Of coal, mine operat-
ing, and finally went west" to seek
fortune as a ranch and orchard owner
before he hit upon the central idea
of his career r-nlanubacuring and selling
cash registers.
Mr.. Pattersons mother, in telling
Of her sons life on the farm, said He
used to be called at four O'Clock in
the spring summer and fall He had
10 make his grandfather's fire, carry
up enough wood to last all day. split
lindling and get 1t ready for the night.
After breakfast he would turn tho
calves out, put up his dinner and 60
to school. In the evening IL was nee
essary to drive up the calves, feed and
bed them, carry up wood TO fiji the
boxes and after supper to study les
sons
Mr.. Patterson studied two years at
Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and
afterward at Dartmouth
His civic work resulted in placing the
city under commission manager govern
ment and his appointment as chairman
OF a commission BY the governor Of Ohio.
Through Bfr. Patterson's personal super
vision. S3.000,Ca0 was raised TO prevent
future foods in Dayton.
An indictment was returned against
him in 1912 for alleged violation Of the
Sherman Antitrust law. followed by
conviction and sentence to one year in
Jail and fines. The case was appealed
the Judgment reversed and A compromise
decree was entered While the case was
in progress prominent persons wired
President Wilson and asked him to par
don Mr.. Patterson and his associates
from the sentence imposed but when Mr.
Patterson learned of this he sent Presl-
dent Wilson telegram saying he would
not accept a pardon and that all he
wanted was simple justice
In the world war he placed his factory
at the disposal Of the government but
refused to accept contracts on a cost plus
basis. He said # was not right 10 work
on basis where the more he spent the
more he made, because the taxpayers
OF the nation had 20 bear the burden
He termed business a battle of wits
and the man who thought the fastest all
most always was declared the winner
Mr.. Patterson was the son Of Colonel
Jefferson Patterson and the grandson OF
Colonel Robertson Patterson. founder Of
Lexington, Ky. His mother, Julia Robert
Patterson, was the daughter Of Colonel
John johnson. famous Ohio Indian agent
Of the United States government. His
wife was formerly Katherine Beck, Of
Brookline, Mass.
After his venture as a ranchman in
Colorado he returned 10 Dayton. where
he set up a factory for making cash reg
lsters employing at first 13 men After
achieving success he aided TO transform
a slurn factory district into sanitary and
better working conditions.
In 1901 France made him Chevaller OF
the Legion OF Honor in token Of his in
terest in employees and in 1919. Miami
at Oxford, Ohio. gave the
degree Of Doctor Of Laws for
welfare work and advanced business
methods
IN the Dayton food OF 1918. Mr. Patter-
son STAYED or the threatened destruction
of hts business and helped the city 70
recover from the disaster.