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.