THOMAS PATTERSON, one of the respected pioneers of Needham
Township, was born April 24, 1801, and is a son of Robert and Jane
(Henderson) Patterson. They were both born in Pennsylvania, the
father being of Irish descent. Our subject's early life was spent
on a farm in Clark County, Ind. He received a common school
education. At the age of twenty-three years he began life for
himself as a farmer, which occupation he has continued through
life. January 22, 1824, he was united in marriage to Frances
Harris, and this union was blessed with the following children;
John R., born February 18, 1825; James and William, twins, August
13, 1827; Eliza Jane, January 18, 1830; Samuel C., December 25,
1831; Thomas H., June 1, 1833; David B., September 3, 1835. The
mother of these children was born in 1804. He married for a second
wife, Nancy Hardesty, and to this union the following children were
born, viz.: Francis H., born November 23, 1840; Benjamin F., June
3, 1843; Zerilda C., March 11, 1846; Sarah E., November 21, 1851;
Susan I., November 3, 1853; Virginia E., October 4, 1857. Them
other of these children was born August 14, 1817. They are both
members of the Presbyterian Church, as are all their children. In
politics, he is a republican. He now owns ninety acres of
well-improved land.
Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker
Banta, D.D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888.