On the records of official service in Natrona county appears the name of Hon. Hugh L. Patton, who is filling the position of sheriff and who has occupied many other places of public honor and trust, at one time representing his district in the legislature.
    He was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 20, 1861. a son of Thomas and Agnes (Woodburn) Patton. The father was a native of Ireland, while the mother was born in Ohio, in which state they were married. They afterward removed to Michigan, where the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1864. His widow survived him for a very extended period and passed away in Kansas in 1909. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living.
    After the death of his father Hugh L. Patton lived with his grandfather until he was ten years of age, at which time he and his mother removed to Iowa, where he largely acquired his education in the common schools. In 1878, when a youth of seventeen years, he went to New Mexico, where he remained until 1882. He then went to the territory of Washington and in 1883 he arrived in Buffalo, Wyoming, having since lived in this state. In 1889 he removed to Casper, where he now makes his home, and with the development and progress of the city he has been closely, actively and helpfully associated. He was the first city marshal of Casper, occupying that position for a year, and again was called upon to aid in preserving public peace and order, being elected county sheriff in 1894 for a four years' term. He served until 1898 and then resigned in order to aid his country, which had become involved in war with Spain. He went to the front as a first lieutenant of Company K of the Second Volunteer Cavalry, with which he was connected for six months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Casper and in 1908 his fellow townsmen called upon him to represent them in the state legislature, where he served for one term. In 1912 he was appointed United States marshal of Wyoming. He made a most creditable record during his two years' incumbency in that office and in the fall of 1914 he was again chosen for the position of sheriff, in which capacity he is now serving, having for a third time been called to this office, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He has also served as a member of the city council and has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and measures for the city's improvement and the upholding of civic standards. He has always voted with the republican party, being an untiring worker in its ranks because of his firm belief in its principles as factors in good government. Aside from his official duties Mr. Patton is well known as a business man, being extensively interested in the sheep and cattle industry in Wyoming. His landed possessions are large and important and along these line's he is contributing in substantial measure to the material development of the state.
    In 1891 Mr. Patton was united in marriage to Miss Belle Stroud, who was born in Nebraska, and they have become parents of two daughters: Laura, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Irma, who is a graduate of the Casper high school and is now a college student in Washington, D. C. Mrs. Patton and her daughter are members of the Episcopal church.
    Fraternally Mr. Patton is an Elk, an Odd Fellow and a Mason and in the last named organization he has taken the degrees of both lodge and chapter. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He is today widely known as one of the prominent public figures in Natrona county, his activities having much to do with shaping its history and directing its policy. He is actuated in all that he does by a marked public spirit and Casper numbers him among her most valued residents.