James N. Patteson

Patterson, James Nelson    1869    11/21/1908

This information was submitted by Sammy at the Wilbur Smith Research Library & Archives, while he was helping me research a photo I have.  All information was taken from city directories located in the Wilbur Smith Research Library & Archives.

James N. Patteson was a leading photographer in the Texarkana area.  Mr. Patteson was responsible for a large Number of photographs of the area including photos of offices, stores, residences, photo buttons, and phtot jewelry.  He specialized in all kinds of photographic and Portrait work and also created hand-painted minatures and brooches.  Mr. Patteson was one of the earliest photographers to carry the Kodak camera.  Patteson had his own studio, but curiously moved from location to location during his business history in Texarkana.  James N. Patteson was married to his wife Louise and together they had four children.  Mr. Patteson died on November 20, 1908.  The following is a history of his business practice and of his wife after he died.  All of the following information was recorded from Polk's Texarkana City Directory.

1899-1900:  James N. Patteson was a photographer during this time period.  He also was an artist who worked in crayon, water colors, and pastels.  His business was located at 111 1/2 East Broad Street during this time period.  The address mentioned above is a office above 111 East Broad Street.  He resided in his home at 307 State Line Ave.

1901:  Mr. Patteson's business was located at 111 East Broad Street at this time.  The business moved down stairs in the same building that it had occupied previously.  Patteson and his family resided at 503 East Fifth Street at this time period.

1904:  Patteson moved his business next door from his previous address to 113-115 East Broad street.  Evidently his business expanded as he now occupies two buildings.  Mr. Patteson and his family resided at 623 State Line Avenue at this time period.  The directories listed his phone number as being #159 with two rings.

1906:  Mr. Patteson was not listed in the city directories during this time period as he was in ill health.  However, Patteson's wife Louise was listed as a commissioned traveling salewoman at this time.  Mr. Patteson's obituary mentions that during this time period they traveled abroad trying to find a better area for him to heal.  The patteson family was listed as living at a location on Ash Street.  A specific address was not given as this was a rural area of Texarkana at this time period.

1908:  The family continued to reside on Ash Street north of East Twenty-siixth Street during this time period.  James N. Patteson died on November 20, 1908.

1910-1912:  Louise Patteson is listed as a trimmer at the Criterion.  The Criterion was a clothing shop that also sold large lots of fabric and supplies for all sewing needs.  The Criterion was located at 116 East Broad STreet.  The Patteson home was located at 623 State Line Avenue.

1915-1937:  Louise is listed as a department manager at the Ben F. Smith Dry Goods Company.  The Patteson family is still listed as living at 623 State Line Avenue.

1938:  There was no listing for Louise Patteson in any of the editions of the city directories after 1937.  I will provide a list of the children's names gathered from the city directoies.

Offspring of James N. & Louise Patteson

James M. Patteson

Laura M. Patteson

Flourney Patteson

Ellen Patteson

Notes:  Mr. Patteson did not advertise much in the city directories after 1900 except in 1904. 

Obit:

The Daily Texarkanian, Sunday, November 22, 1908

Mr. Jas N. Patteson

For a number of Years the Leading Photographer of the City Died Yesterday

After being in poor health for several years Mr. James N. Patteson died at his home at the corner of 26th and Ash streets yesterday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock.  Mr. Patteson was for several years the leading photographer of the city.  For the past two or three years he has been in very poor health and has been unable to do but little in the photograph business.  He visited several different localities in hope of benefiting his health, and had returned only a few days ago from Sulphur Springs, where he had been sojourning for  the past three months.  After his return here his condition grew rapidly worse until the end came yesterday afternoon.  He was Thirty-nine years of age and leaves a widow and four small children.  The funeral will be conducted from the residence this afternoon at 3 o'clock by Rev. Joseph Kuhnle, pastor of the St. Andrew Episcopal church.  Interment will be in State Line Cemetery.

Additional notes from Tresa found after info provided by Sammy.

James M.,  Laura and son James are are buried in Woodlawn.  Wife Louise Leas 1872-1938, son James 4/28/1901 Died 3/19/1952.

1900 Census shows him in Miller County without family but married for 1 year.  Occupation Photographer.  Born in TN.

1910 Census shows Louise with children in Bowie County: Ellen 10, James N. 9, Laura M. 5,  Flourney 2.  She is listed under Patterson, instead of Patteson.

1930 Census shows Louise with two children in Bowie County TX.  Last name is Patterson.  Ellen 30, Flourney 22.  Birth Place was Sweden.   Year of Immigration was 1890.