Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Andrew Patterson


Portrait and Biographical Album
of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890




ANDREW P. PATTERSON is a native of of Sweden, having first seen the light near Christianstad, on March 12, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and well educated in the schools of his native country. Having arrived at a suitable age, he learned the tailor's trade in Christianstad, and afterward worked at the same in Copenhagen, Lubec, Hamburg and Hanover. Concluding that the New World afforded him a better field for his energies and the upbuilding of his fortunes, he took passage from Hamburg on a sailing vessel bound for the United States, landing at New York City, Oct. 24, 1863, after a voyage of six and a half weeks.

After reaching America Mr. Patterson's first location was in Brooklyn. N. Y., where he worked at his trade about a year. Thence he went to New Boston, Ill., where his brother Olaf had previously located, and with whom he sojourned a short time. Thence he went to Burlington, Iowa, and from there to Chicago, Ill., working at his trade about two years there. In 1866 he came to Kansas, stopping at Manhattan for a few days. He then sent his wife to Morganville, where her father had located, and himself went to Lawrence to get work. His father-in-law was poor and our subject assisted in the support of the family. A few months later Mr. Patterson came to Clay County and homesteaded 160 acres on section 1, Sherman Township, where he now lives. He had previously pre-empted eighty acres on section 22, Clay Center Township, and upon that claim his father-in-law spent the rest of his life.

When Mr. Patterson located on the farm which he now occupies he built a log-house 14x16 feet, which was the family residence for several years. During that time he improved his farm, erecting various outbuildings, and planting an orchard and many forest trees. He now has a valuable farm, well-tilled, and furnished with stables, cribs, granaries, etc. The present residence is a substantial frame house, comfortably furnished, and neatly kept by the excellent house-keeper who presides over it.

The parents of our subject were Par and Gunila (Muslander) Parson, of Swedish ancestry and nativity. They belonged to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Patterson's maternal grandfather was for many years the organist in his church.

In Burlington, Iowa, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage with Miss Louisa, daughter of S. Lingering, the bride being of Swedish parentage and ancestry, and the family, members of the Lutheran Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Patterson three children have been born, namely; Ida, (now deceased), Aaron and John.

The family of Mr. Patterson are identified with tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a successful farmer, a good neighbor, and a man of upright character, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of the township. Mrs. Patterson's mother, who was a native of Sweden, came to America with her husband in 1856, and located in New Sweden, Iowa, where they lived several years and then went to Biggsville, Ill., where they lived until 1867, when they came to Kansas. In 1887 they went back to Sweden where the father was taken ill and died. The mother now makes her home with our subject.

A view of the family residence of the Pattersons is presented on another page, and reflects credit upon its proprietor and builder.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure

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