Hon. John Patton

In the history of every community may be found some one man, who, for far-reaching sagacity, business enterprise, and public spirit, stands pre-eminent among his fellows. Curwensville has such a man, and, though brought into competition with many men possessing these qualities in an eminent degree, it is not invidious to claim, that the man whose name stands at the head of this page occupies the proud position. When an iron frame is bound to a bold. comprehensive mind, business, commerce, capacity for details, and indomitable enterprise, the man who possesses these qualities combined, unless handicapped heavily in life's race at the outset, is destined to win. He has had, outside himself, no advantages not possessed by all, even the poorest and humblest; and he has, by his own efforts, achieved wealth and reputation.

His name has long been in Clearfield county a synonym for skill and sagacity, and this is not all. Many men achieve fortunes by means as selfish as the ends they pursue. Shrewd, no doubt, and acute in their special calling, they are still men of narrow mind, men of routine. They lack that mental breadth and comprehensiveness which enables them to take a large angled view, and realize that even the largest business success is secured by that public spirit which looks to public improvement and the development of the community and country where their business is situated.

John Patton had that mental grasp. Ambitious, as all men who suceed are, he appreciated from the beginning the importance of public improvements, and saw with singular clearness, that in working for the public good and the development of the county and community, he was also working in the most effective manner for his own interest.

John Patton was born in Covington, Tioga county, on the 6th of January, 1823.... His educational advantages were very limited, since the circumstance of his family compelled him to contribute all his efforts to their support. He might be termed a self educated youth, and, being a shrewd boy, with a good grip on ideas, he always retained something of the last winter's lesson, and always saw the last pages of his arithmetic before the first were entirely worn out.

At the age of eleven he went into the store of William Irvin, at Curwensville, as an errand boy. He continued in the store as a clerk till of age, and then went into business for himself; having no capital but that which he borrowed. This speaks volumes for the character of the young man, and shows how firmly his business reputation had become established, to secure such financial aid. His trade grew, and soon became of respectable proportion. His business was such that he was forced to buy large amounts of lumber. This was the foundation of a business which. under his management, increased to such an extent that he was used for being one of the leading merchants and most extensive shippers of lumber in the county. With fine physical powers, and executive ability to carry out what the mind had conceived, he was noted up and down the river for his operations, which proved singularly successful up to the spring of 1861.

In 1864 he organized and became president of the First National Bank of Curwensville. The capital was one hundred thousand dollars. Since that time he has been engaged in banking and kindred occupations. Swift, both in conception and execution, he signalized his business career by investments, sales, business ventures, and other financial work, thereby almost distancing his competitors men, too, older than he, but who lacked that far-sightedness which saw success instead of misfortune, gain rather than loss, in the plans he formed and so admirably carried out.

As a public spirited man he saw the necessity of a railroad to open up and bring to market the resources of the Upper Susquehanna. He was a strong friend of, and aided liberally in the construction of the railroad from Tyrone to Philipsburg. Some of the best work he ever performed was in extending this same road from Clearfield to Curwensville. The donation of money by himself and the influence he exerted, were such that sixty thousand dollars were at once raised, and what was only spoken of as a possibility was thereby made as established fact.

During these years he took some part in political life. In 1852 he was a delegate to the National Convention of the Whig party, at Baltimore, which nominated Gen. Scott for the presidency. He also was appointed a member in 1860 of the convention which met at Chicago and nominated Mr. Lincoln. He also was a member of several state conventions, and aided materially in the selection and election of the nominees.

In 1860 he was nominated and elected, by the Republican party, a member of the Thirty-seventh Congress, from the Twenty-fourth District. He overcame an adverse majority in the district, and carried Clearfield county, hitherto strongly Democratic, by a handsome vote. In Congress he took a decided stand for the maintenance of national unity, and supported all the measures introduced by the Republican party for the prosecution of the war, emancipation of the slaves, and the raising of moneys by and from the public credit. Every step looking to the prompt payment of the soldiers, the bounties for their families, and the equipment of the men with arms and ammunition, and other military laws, were aided by John Patton in a manner which showed his feeling as a man, and his duty as a union loving legislator. The Twenty-fourth District having been changed, he was tendered a renomination from the district, now strongly Republican. This honor was declined by him. In 1864, at the second election of Mr. Lincoln, he was chosen one of the presidential electors. In the Electorial College, on his motion, the per diem and mileage of all the electors were donated to the United States Christian Commission. Previous to this he had taken a deep interest in the Christian and Sanitary Commissions, and had contributed largely to their support from his private means. Since the war he has been engaged closely in private pursuits, and has taken but little part in political affairs.

In the Act of Congress which selected the commission to constitute the Board of Finance, his name was among those distinguished gentlemen, as one of that body. To these gentlemen is due much of the success of the great International Exhibition. They set the wheels in motion, and made our great World's Exposition a success, in spite of the great drawback. which accompany such enterprises. He favored having Pennsylvania take hold of this its greatest honor and to vote the money necessary to build Memorial Hall, and to be well represented as the first guardian of the infant republic.

In religious matters he has ever taken a prominent part. He contributed very largely to the cost of the erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Curwensville. This, at the time of its construction, was the finest church edifice in this part of the county. He was a generous friend of all the churches of the M. E. connection; and not only that faith has be aided he was a liberal giver to each and every demomination in building or trying to build in this section of the county. There has been scarcely a public enterprises in this section of the state but what he has been a leading spirit therein. He was indomitable in his labors for the cause of internal improvements. Cautious, possessing a well balanced judgment, he was very decided in the execution of his plans; and his business capabilities were eminently calculated to insure success.

Mr. Patton has been twice married; first, in 1847, to Miss C. M. Ennis, daughter of Alexander Ennis, of Hollidaysburg, Pa. She died in November, 1855, leaving three sons and a daughter. In 1856 his oldest son died. In 1858 he married Miss H. J. Foley, daughter of Hon. W. C. Foley, of Clearfield. By this second marriage he has had eight children three sons and three daughters living, and one son and daughter dead.

It is impossible, in the limits of this article, to give an adequate history of so shining a life. We have only attempted to portray some of the leading events therein, that in after years the student may know something of the life and struggles of one whose name must always stand prominent in the history of this county, and who has contributed so largely to lay the foundations of its future prosperity.830
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John Patton Jr. is often acknowledged in history books and other references as “The Honorable John Patton”. He is also sometimes referred to as “General” Patton as he held the rank of Brigadier General in the state militia.

The photograph of John Patton taken while he was serving in the United States Congress, and found in this database, was taken by the famous photographer Mathew Brady.3
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Philip Antis [sic] donated a piece of ground near on the public road from Clearfield to Curwensville, on which a school-house was built about 1824. John Patton, Sr., father of Congressman Patton, was the master here in 1826.

It was here, in this house, under the tutorship of his father, that Hon. John
Patton attended school for the first time.834

[Was this Philip Antes the grandfather (1759-1834) or uncle (1781-1862) of Congressman John Patton. It is not known for certain but was probably one or the other and most likely the senior Philip.]
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John was a millionaire, very wealthy.75
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One of the County's ablest financiers, was born January 6th, 1823. He came to the County in 1828 and later engaged in the lumbering business. In 1864 he started a banking house, and was one of the promoters of the Tyrone & Clearfield R. R.850
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Patton, Hon. John. Before entering into a narrative of the events of the life and life’s work of John Patton, or any comment upon his personal traits of character, it is appropriate that some mention be made of his antecedents; and inasmuch as his paternal ancestors were so intimately associated with the stirring events that gave life and liberty to the nation, a brief mention of those persons and of those events is not only appropriate, but desirable; and furthermore, furnishes a record of personal sacrifice and personal heroism, in which any descendant may feel just pride.

General John Patton, the grandfather of our subject was born in Sligo, Ireland, in the year 1745, and emigrated to this country, at Philadelphia.

John Patton, the father of our subject, was a native of Philadelphia, born in the year 1783, and when eight years of age came with his parents to Centre county.... [See his notes for the remainder of the narrative on him.]

John Patton, the subject of this sketch was born in Tioga county, [Pennsylvania], on the 6th day of January, in the year 1823. With his father’s family, he came to Curwensville in 1828, then being but 5 years of age. At the age of fourteen years, young Patton went into the store of William Irvin, in the capacity of errand boy, and being honest, faithful and obedient, he was soon advanced to the postion of principal clerk.

On arriving at the age of twenty one years, and having acquired a fair understanding of the several branches of trade in which his employer was engaged. Mr. Patton embarked for himself in the mercantile and lumbering business. Having borrowed means at the beginning, his operations were necessarily small, but by careful investments and good judgement his means increased, and his field of operation became enlarged, until it extended thoughout the county, and he became known as the most extensisve and sucessful business men of the region. He was thus engaged until the year 1860. He organized the first National Bank of Curwensville in 1864, and became it’s president. In this capacity, he served for a period of twelve years, when in 1876, the Curwensville Bank succeeded the First National and he was made president of that, an office he still holds.

Such is, in brief, a resume of the principal business operations of John Patton. If it indicates anything, it is that he is a remarkable man in his capacity ot grasp and successfully direct large enterprises, the details of which would destract and paralyze the powers of men less favorable constituted; but his manifold interest never worried him; in all these his power has been found sufficient for any emergency, and his time adequate for all requirements. And he has found time, too, for other duties than those confined to his business operations, and has give his substantial co-operation to every enterprise that tended to promote the interest of his town and county. Unselfish and unstinted have been his contributions for all purposes. For the building of the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad, he donated the gross sum of $12,500; the Patton Graded Public School Building, and ground on which it is erected, were his free and voluntary fit (costing over $12,000), and stand an enduring monument to his generosity and public spiritedness.

No less munificent and no less worthy have been his donations for other purposes, particularly the frequent contributions made to church and benevolent institutions; in act, no worthy enterprise has sought his assistance and been refused.

During his long and active business life, General Patton (for by this title is he generally know, having held the commission of a brigadier general in the militia service) formed an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout this county and others adjoining, and being a man of undoubted integrity, straightforward honesty and recognized ability, he possessed the confidence and esteem of his fellow men; therefore, it could not be a surprising fact that he should be pressed into the political service as the representative of the party, to the principles of which he held and gave support --- the Republican party.

In the year 1860, he was elected and represented the Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania district in the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving during three sessions of the Federal Legislature, while our divided country was battling in civil war. Again, in 1884, Mr. Patton became the candidate of the Republican party for the office of representative in Congress but was defeated at the polls by Hon. Andrew G. Curtin, the candidate of the Democracy, by only twelve hundred votes.

In 1886, a third time was General Patton nominated for the same office, and for a second time was he successful, carrying the district by about one hundred and fifty plurality over Hon. James K.P. Hall, the Democratic nominee. At this time, the standing Democratic majority in the district numbered some four thousand votes.

Prior to his candidacy for any office, General Patton was an active worker in the field of politics. He was a Whig, and upon the merging of that party into the Republican, joined with the latter and the principles advocated by it. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay for president. He was a delegate to the National Whig Convention in 1852, and also a delegate to the National Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

John Patton has been twice married. He married, June 17, 1847, Catharine M. Ennis, daughter of Alexander Ennis of Hollidaysburg. Four children were born of that marriage, three sons and one daughter. Catherine (Ennis) Patton died November 28, 1855. On the 18 day of June 1858, John Patton married Honora Jane, daughter of William C. Foley. Of this marriage, eight children have been born, five sons and three daughters of whom five are still living.851
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Gen. John Patton was an important factor in the growth of Curwensville. After a humble start as am errand boy for William Irvin, he became known as one of the most successful businessmen in the area. In addition to his other ventures, he organized the First National bank of Curwensville. Very generous to the community, he gave money for the building of a railroad, the Patton School, and many other community projects.852
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On March 7, 1864, the "First National Bank of Curwensville" was organized with a capital of $50,000.00, later increased to $100,000.00. John Patton, President; Samuel Arnold, Cashier; William Irvin, John Irvin and Dr. H. P. Thompson, Directors. It was the first bank in Clearfield County organized under the National Bank Act of 1862. It went into voluntary liquidation late in December, 1875 followed in January, 1876 by the Curwensville Bank, a private partnership composed of John Patton, A. W. Patchin, Dr. John P. Hoyt and Dr. D. A. Fetzer. President John Patton; Cashier, John P. Bard followed by A. E. Patton. Capital, $100,000.00. This bank successfully served this community until 1904.

The four partners all being deceased, it was decided to dissolve the partnership and to organize the Curwensville National Bank. [There is an extensive history of Curwensville Banks at this source.]853
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John Patton commenced lumbering near Curwensville [PA] about 1847 or 1848.

Road and turnpike companies were organized and incorporated under an act of the State Legislature and were invariably toll-roads. Many of them were coa narrative [sic] of the events constructed according to their original conception; others were curtailed or modified, and some were abandoned.

The Clearfield Plank Road Company [to create a toll road] was incorporated April 6, 1854, to extend from the terminus of Tuckahoe and Mount Pleasant turnpike, and to intersect the Erie turnpike at any point in the direction of Clearfield or Curwensville. The capital stock was not to exceed four thousand shares at twenty-five dollars each. Named among the incorporators were John Patton with William Irvin and an A. Caldwell.854
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Listed as an Associate Judge 1841-1846.

A section of the State militia was in existence before the days of our Civil war. It was here that Hon. John Patton received his title of “General.” This was one of three military organizations existing in the county before the war. Although of brief duration, these military companies helped to keep alive the spirit of patriotism in the hearts of the citizens, for nothing is more inspiring than the tramp of many feet, marching in unison; the sight of gay uniforms, and the sound of fife and drum.

The Patton Graded School was built in 1885. It was so named in honor of Hon. John Patton, who contributed $16,500 and a lot valued at $3,500 for its erection.

General John Patton, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Curwensville.855,856
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Several photographs showing the Patton School, located at the corner of Walnut and State Streets, is seen at this source. It was constructed of native limestone and housed eight classrooms, four on each of it’s two floors. It was torn down in 1968. (Courtesy Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society).857
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In April 1867 By Act of Lesiglature, [Curwensville] School Directors built a large frame building on Walnut Street (now [1949] near R. K. Way home.) This cost $2,750 and in 1868 the church building was disposed of. These buildings were used till 1884 when "General" or Hon. John Patton offered $10,000 for the erection of a new building. The offer accepted and he increased the amount to $20,000.

Cornerstone laid Sept. 2, 1884, with Masonic ceremonies and building opened for use, Oct. 1, 1885, and named for him by the Directors in honor of his generosity, "The Patton Graded Public School," constructed of native sandstone, 62 by 71 feet in size, slate roof. Inside: 8 classrooms, 4 on each floor connected by stairways and halls. Steam heat and ventilating system and equipped with latest improved school furniture. The building supplied with running water pipes for which were given by Samuel Arnold, President of the School Board. Attendance in 1886 was 287 pupils.

After the erection of the Patton Building the ground was graded and lawn made. Trees were planted at the edges of the property and named for writers or poets -- Longfellow, Whittier, etc.

[The Patton Graded School was still in existence in 1949. An extensive history of the school building and it’s improvements and the Curwensville Borough School system is found at this source.]858

[In January of 1968 the Curwensville Borough Council voted to tear down the 84-year old Patton school building as explained in this newspaper article.]859
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In September of 1851, following the incorporation of the Borough of Curwwensville in February of the same year, the first tax assessment was made. At the time Curwensville was a little village lying between Anderson Creek, the Susquehanna River and the present [1959] entrance to Oak Hill Cemetery with a population of 372 persons. The third highest assessment, of the four highest named in this source, was John Patton whose assessment mounted to $550.00. The highest assessment belonged to William Irvin (1801-1869) at $985.00. The entire assessment of the Borough was $15,295.00.860
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PATTON, John, (father of Charles Emory Patton and John Patton Jr., and uncle of William Irvin Swoope), a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Covington, Tioga County, Pa., January 6, 1823; moved to Curwensville, Clearfield County, Pa., in 1828; attended the public schools; engaged in mercantile pursuits and in lumbering 1844-1860; organized the First National Bank of Curwensville* in 1864 and was elected its president; organized the Curwensville Bank, and was elected its president; delegate to the Whig National Convention in 1852 and to the Republican National Convention in 1860; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1861-March 3, 1863); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1862; elected to the Fiftieth Congress (March 4, 1887-March 3, 1889); was not a candidate for renomination in 1888; resumed banking; died in Philadelphia, Pa., where he had gone for medical treatment, on December 23, 1897; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville, Pa.861
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Oak Hill Cemetery [where John Patton] is buried began as a small 2¼ acre plot in December 1856 when William Irvin [Jr. 1801-1869] conveyed a parcel of land to the Curwensville Borough for burials. Three additional parcels were conveyed by Mr. Irvin’s son Col. E. A. Irvin, and the remainder of the property came from Charles E. Patton [John’s son] and the heirs of Hon. John Patton.

The Irvin and Patton families, both of which played key roles in the early growth and development of Curwensville are interred there. The Patton family plot holds one of the tallest monuments on the grounds.862
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Previous to 1872 the [Clearfield] county seat enjoyed the honor of publishing the only newspapers in this county. But during the summer of that year a stock company, the members of which included John Patton Jr. (as a publisher) [and other notable citizens] was formed for the purpose of founding a weekly newspaper, in Curwensville. This paper was called the “Clearfield County Times.”

The “Times” proved a great success as a strong Republican paper during the Grant-Greeley campaign. After several changes in its ownership in 1885 the “Times” was renamed “The Curwensville Herald.” But in a year’s time the “Herald” abruptly ceased to be published.863
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Pennsylvania Railroad, 1874, extended from Clearfield to Curwensville. Known as the Tyrone and Clearfield R. R. and later as Tyrone Division, later extended to Grampian, 1891. The construction of the Clearfield to Curwensville part cost $60,(X)0. Among the subscribers were Hon. John Patton, Col. John and brothers John and James, Col. E. A. Irvin, and Samuel Arnold of Curwensville.864
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The railroad was extended from Clearfield into Curwensville in 1874 as part of the Tyrone to Clearfield railroad. Among the contributors to this project were John Patton, Col. John Irvin, brothers John and James Irvin, and Samuel Arnold. In 1891 the line was extended to Grampian (PA].865
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October 31, 1879 a fire destroyed the buildings at the southeast corner of State and Thompson Streets which housed the Curwensville Bank, stores and the Public Library. The Patton Block and the bank building, later remodeled, were built coon after.866
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The Park House once located at State and Filbert Streets was built in 1881 by a group headed by John Patton. It later became the Park Hotel. The building was torn down in 1989.867,868
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Hon. John Patton presented diplomas at The Patton Graded Public School First Annual Commencement on Thursday evening April 8th, 1886. [There were ten graduates in the Class of ‘86.]869
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The present [1949 Curwensville Methodist]] "Stone Church" came as the result of John Patton, a leading member of the Methodist Church, who announced that it was his desire to contribute to the building of a new "stone church", to be built of native stone from the Roaring Run Stone Quarry. The first contract was entered into with Reuben Thompson to build the church for the sum of $18,000.00.... The church was ... dedicated. Sunday, August 27, 1893, the cornerstone was laid with impressive ceremonies. The building committee included John Patton’s son Charles E.821
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John Patton is identified as one of directors at the organization of the Curwensville Cemetery Company (Oak Hill Cemetery), 28 November 1893.672
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Against all odds [Abraham Lincoln] was the Republican nominee for President of the United States. On the third ballot it was the delegation from Pennsylvania that put Lincoln over the top. Among those Keystone State delegates was the brother of my 2nd great-grandfather, Congressman John Patton.870
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Susquehanna Chapter D.A.R. [Daughters of the American Revolution], organized April 1, 1897, at Clearfield with eleven of its charter members descended from Col. John Patton of the 16th Colonial Regiment of Pennsylvania.

Col. Patton never lived in Clearfield County. But his son Lt. John Patton ... came to Curwensville in 1828, where he lived until his death in 1848.

The third John Patton (son of Lieut. John Patton) was familiarly known as "General," although he never served in a war, but derived his title from his commission as Brigadier General of the Pennsylvania Militia, which functioned in peace time about 1840, when all men between the ages of 21 and 45 were required to go into camp for several days to be drilled and instructed in the manual of arms by officers of the U. S. Army.

These facts could easily have caused the Chapter's [Susquehanna Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Curwensville, organized April 1, 1897] name to be "Patton" instead of as it is.838
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Address at time of death: Aldine Hotel, 19th & Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA.871


*The Curwensville National Bank was the first bank in Pennsylvania to reopen during the great depression. Newspapers across the nation carried the news. 872