Taking an account of the details of his earlier life, we note that he was born in Marion county, Oregon, on January I, 1860, being the son of John and Sarah A. (Stout) Patterson. The father was a farmer, born in Pennsylvania and died in 1867. He came to California in 1847 and was an early pioneer of Oregon, taking a donation claim there. The mother died in 1865. Being thus left an orphan at a tender age, our subject was taken into the family of F. M. Thompson, where he received good treatment and remained until fourteen years old. He then went to work for himself and at twenty he went to farming in Wasco county. He took a pre-emption there and tilled it for twelve years. In 1890 he sold that property and removed to Latah county and farmed for six years. Then a move was made to the reservation and he took his present claim. Since that date he has bestowed his labors here continuously. He is being prospered and is one of the leading citizens of his section.

On July 4, 1880, he was married to Miss Henrietta, daughter of George W. and Martha A. (Threldkeld) Wayne. The father is a farmer and lives on the reservation. He was born in 1837 and the mother was born in Missouri, and died in 1862. Mrs. Patterson is an only child and was born in Calloway county, Missouri, in 1862. Mr. Patterson has one brother and one sister, Elizabeth Down, in Silverton, Oregon; Richard, also in Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Patterson there have been born eight children, named as follows: George W., Martha A., John, Ernest, Frank, Charles, Daniel B. and Minnie L. Mr. Patterson is not bound by partisan ties in political matters but votes for the man. He is a warm advocate of good schools and labors for their establishment. He is educating his children in the state normal at Lewiston.