BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 743-744. THOMAS L. PATTON is a very prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Belmont county, Ohio. His farm of 188 acres of highly improved land bears testimony to his wisdom and energy. The horses and cattle that are raised on his place are not to be excelled anywhere for the purposes for which they are bred. Mr. Patton is one of twelve children; he spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and in the public schools of his native town. In December, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McKee. They are the parents of three children: Eloise, born December 20, 1882; Hugh, born April 24, 1885; and Anna Margaret, born September 8, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Patton are influential members of the United Presbyterian church. Mrs. Patton is a daughter of Capt. H. L. McKee. Capt. McKee was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1830, he was educated at Muskingum college, graduating with credit in 1854. For a short time thereafter he was principal of the Findlay schools, after which he assumed the editorial control of the Hancock Jeffersonian. His connection with that paper lasted about two years, at the expiration of which time he became the editor and proprietor of the Tiffin Tribune. The presidency of Muskingum college was pressed upon him, the trustees insisted upon his acceptance of the high honor, but he would not relinquish his own profession, until the call for defenders of his country was issued, then he laid down his facile pen and took up arms, August 16, 1862. Capt. McKee enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third regiment of Ohio volunteers, of which he was elected first lieutenant. As soon as the regiment got into the field, President Lincoln appointed him a commissary of subsistence with the rank of captain, and he served in this capacity until his death in July, 1865, at St. Clairsville, leaving a wife and three children. September 9, 1856, he was married to Miss Maggie Campbell, daughter of Dr. John Campbell, of Belmont county. Mrs. McKee passed away November 5, 1870. Capt. McKee was a man of rare talents and accomplishments, a brave soldier, a wise editor and withal a man of great kindness of heart.