JAMES G. PATTERSON

Sacramento County

Biographies

JAMES G. PATTERSON

JAMES G. PATTERSON. One of the neat and prosperous appearing ranches in the vicinity of Sacramento is the thirty-acre tract owned and managed by James G. Patterson. Owing to its advantageous location on the west bank of the American river, its rich alluvial soil is especially adapted to the raising of walnuts, of which there are twelve French varieties, as well as the wine grape, this also being of a superior quality.

James G. Patterson is of eastern birth and parentage, and was born in Steuben county, N. Y., August 21, 1837, a son of Arnold D. and Mary (Starkweather) Patterson, the father born in Pennsylvania in 1804, and the mother in Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1818. On both sides of the family Mr. Patterson comes from good fighting stock, the great grandfather on the paternal side participating in the Revolutionary war, while the grandfather, Robert Patterson, served in the war of 1812, receiving a wound at the battle of Black Rock. The year of the great influx of immigrants in California, 1849, Arnold D. Patterson was among the number who crossed the plains that year, forming one of a large party. Pleased with the prospects in the west, both in regard to the ease with which he could make a livelihood and the healthful surroundings in which to rear his family, he sent for his wife and children in 1851. They arrived in California the following year, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. On Weber creek, near Placerville, Eldorado county, the father had established a ranch, which was devoted to grain, and he also conducted a hotel, the American Fork House, and here he carried on a successful business the remainder of his life, his death occurring at Routier Station, in 1884. The wife and mother passed away a few years later in San Francisco.

Of the six children that comprised the parental family, James G. Patterson was the eldest, and at the time of the removal to California was fourteen years of age. The following year, in 1853, he returned to his native state in order to take a course of instruction in Franklin College. After his graduation, three years later, he again came to California, and at once entered the employ of the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company, which built the first railroad constructed in Sacramento county, as well as in the state. He was one of the engineering crew, known as rodman and chain carrier, and as such remained with the company until the completion of the road when he returned to the ranch. In 1859 he again entered the employ of the railroad company. Going to Nevada in 1860, he prospected with others who were interested in silver mining, spending several months there, and again made a trip in 1863, going to Austin. Returning in 1864 he was employed with the Sacramento & Placerville Railroad until its completion, then returned to Nevada. He has railroaded in many capacities throughout the state. Ever since taking up his residence in the west he has been interested in mining, at present holding valuable stock in several mines well known in the state.

Mr. Patterson’s marriage in 1878 united him with Miss Mary E. Crew, a native of Amador county, and they have one child, Arnold D., who is engaged in the sale of automobiles. The neat and substantial residence occupied by the Patterson family, at No. 2101 Twenty-second street, is modern in all of its appointments. Politically, Mr. Patterson is a Democrat, taking an active part in local issues, though he has never been an aspirant for office.

Transcribed 11-7-07 Marilyn R. Pankey.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Page 1625. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.