A Life Well Lived – Thomas P. Patterson

The Tom Patterson family was one of the leading pioneer families of Claremore.

You’ve seen the postcard, but this is the REAL PHOTO of the event! It is so very clear! A.H.T.A. (Anti-Horse Thief Association), 10-23-07. Claremore, Indian Territory.   This is an amazing photo shared by Charles R. Johnston of Weatherford, TX, who is an ancestor of Tom Patterson. This family photo caption says that Mr. Johnston’s grand-uncle, Tom Patterson, is the man in this A.H.T.A parade photo. We appreciate Mr. Johnston’s sharing of this fine family photo.

Thomas P. Patterson and Louisa Theodosia Howerton Patterson were married in 1882, and they arrived in Claremore nine years later (1891).[1]

As so often was the case in pioneer towns, Tom Patterson was a man of many talents.  He was a dealer “in marble and monuments of all kinds” in the early days with Robbins & Patterson.[2] He was nominated “for the chief of the fire department” in 1896 in hopes that a fire department would be organized in Claremore at once.[3]

Mr. Patterson served as Deputy Marshal when John Leach was City Marshal of Claremore,[4] and acted as City Marshal when John Leach was ill.[5]

“City Marshal Leach has been confined to the house this week with the grippe. Tom Patterson has been wearing the star in the meantime.”[6]

When “John Leach spent a couple of days on his farm near Foyil,” it was Tom Patterson who “wore the big star and six-shooter and maintained the peace and dignity of the city.”[7] In 1907, the Claremore Messenger wrote, “Tom Patterson certainly makes some of these city dummy policemen look cheap because he is the real thing with his new uniform and helmet.”[8] And as a policeman he was not averse to subjecting his community to a little unanticipated humor.

“Man Crippled, Locked in Car Two Days. At the Frisco depot here Wednesday evening there was considerable excitement when a small weak voice issued from a boxcar with an appeal for help. Tom Patterson, Deputy Marshal, was there and asked what was the matter. The voice said there was a man inside. Patterson asked the man how he got in and how long he had been there. The voice replied ‘Got in at Oklahoma City two days ago, and haven’t had a bite to eat. Help me out. I’m about dead.’ Why didn’t you kick the door open?’ asked the marshal. ‘I’m crippled and helpless. Can’t someone get the agent to let you take off the seal and release me?’ It was hardly said until some kind-hearted listener was in the depot and received the necessary permission. The seal was broken and the door opened whereupon the spectators beheld a sight never to be forgotten.  There before the door huddled up in a heap, was – nothing. The laugh was on the man who opened the car, and the joker was Patterson, who is a fine ventriloquist.”[9]

Tom Patterson and Frank Woods “brought a Populist flag pole in town” but kept the date “of raising mighty shady.”[10] In politics, Mr. Patterson served as “national committeeman for the Populist party of the northern district.”[11]

Tom Patterson worked as a drayman, a person who hauls goods as a service to others. As one example, Tom Patterson and Frank Woods were in Collinsville, where they were “moving a good portion of the town over next to the railroad.”[12] “They secured the bulk of the moving and did not have an accident, getting all their buildings over in good shape,”[13] which was surely a remarkable task. In another such move, Tom Patterson was “engaged in moving Joe Gibbs’ anteroom from the rear of the billiard hall to the lot north of Mrs. Nancy Chambers’ residence on south Catalayah avenue.”[14]

An avid hunter and outdoorsman, “Tom Patterson reports that his hunting party, who returned yesterday, killed one fine deer and six turkeys during their two weeks’ sojourn in the Creek nation.”[15]

Yet as for many pioneers, family life in Indian Territory had its joys and its sorrows.  In June 1902 the Patterson family had some happy news to share.

“Deputy City Marshal Tom Patterson did not show up on the streets the fore part of the week. The reason lay in the fact that Tom had very suddenly become the father of a fine pair of twins which kept him very busy at home.” But this happy news was followed by sorrow. “The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Patterson died Wednesday. The little girl and mother, while very low for a time, are improving slowly.”[16]

In the summer of 1900, Tom Patterson was considered a very lucky man when he and Col. F.A. Neilson were driving to catch a train when traveling in Missouri; “they were about half an hour behind time of getting into the track of a cyclone that swept across the country, tearing down several buildings and uprooting trees.” In 1903, Patterson was again quite fortunate as the Claremore Messenger reported that he “had a narrow escape from death last Saturday. While sitting in front of the Saddlerock restaurant a severe clap of thunder came and Tom received a shock that laid him out for several minutes. Except from a little stiffness in the lower limbs he experienced no ill effects, and at this writing is almost recovered.”[17]

But more sad news followed that year as Mr. Patterson’s half-sister, Lizzie Rose Eldridge (mother of Mabel Rose Johnson) would pass away following the childbirth of her baby boy Harold.[18]

“Obituary. Died at her home in Claremore, I.T. on the 14^thof July 1903, Mrs. Jeff Eldridge, nee Miss Lizzie Rose.  Mrs. Eldridge gave birth to a baby boy on the Saturday before her death. From the first, she realized she would not get well and expressed a desire that her parents, brothers, and sisters should be near her, that when the end came she could see them all. Several hours before she died we noticed her lips moving and asked what she wanted. She said she was asking that God would spare her life until morning. After she passed through a paroxysm of pain she settled back on her pillow with a most beautiful, shinning expression on her face. We realized that Jesus had called her. When she had rested a while, she called Tom Patterson, her half-brother, to whom she had clung during all of her sickness, trusting him more than anyone else. After she whispered to him for a while, she said, ‘Jeff, (her husband) I am going to heaven. Tell them all to come in, I want to talk to them.’ Then, as she called each by name and kissed them good-bye, she entreated them to meet her in heaven. Neither was she satisfied until she felt they realized that with the promise they must change their ways of living. To her half-brother, George, she said, ‘I am going to see little Georgie (his dead daughter). She will be the first to meet me at the Pearly Gate, and I will come to meet you.  Don’t disappoint me.’ To her husband and parents, she commended the care of her children. She talked with them until she was exhausted. After resting, she sang a verse of, ‘There will be no more parting there,’ using their names instead of the words. She sang a verse as it is, then again taking up their names, singing until she was too weak, and the words came far between. ‘Blessed are the dead, which are in the Lord, from henceforth.’ ‘Yea,’ saith the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.’ Rev. 14:13. It was grand to see death robbed of its sting and the grave of its victory. It seemed so fitting, so like a loving father’s care for her to thus make her preparations for departure. She lived several hours after this, suffering most intense pain. Her suffering was so great that she pleaded for death to come quickly.  Mrs. Eldridge was a devout Christian, had been a member of the Baptist church for three years.    – A Friend.”[19]

Tom Patterson continued diligently with his services to Claremore as a policeman,[20] despite the fact that members of his family were suffering from typhoid fever in 1903.

“Two more of Tom Patterson’s children are down with the typhoid fever. The oldest one is getting well.”[21]

Sadly, Tom Patterson’s mother died, in the summer of 1904, less than a year after her daughter Lizzie.

“Obituary – Sarah A. Rose. Departed this life on Thursday morning, June 23, at her home near Claremore, at the age of sixty-two years, Mrs. Sarah A. Rose.  Mrs. Rose (nee Buchanan – tradition says she was the niece of President James Buchanan[22]) was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, in the year A.D. 1842. In early childhood, she, with her parents, moved to Missouri where she grew to womanhood. In early maidenhood, she became acquainted with her first husband, James Patterson.  Before their marriage, they each gave themselves to Christ and united with the Baptist church and were baptized the same day. In 1860, they were married. The minister who baptized them officiated. To them by this marriage five children were born, two died in infancy. In 1873, her husband died in Dack county, Mo. Three of their children survive and live in Claremore, Messrs Tom and George Patterson and Mrs. Wade Rice [nee Mary (Mollie) Patterson[23]].  In the year 1876, she was married to Richard H. Ross. By this marriage were four children, three of whom survive, Allen and Joe Rose and Miss Lova Rose. Their other daughter Lizzie, departed this life about one year ago in full triumph of the Christian faith.  Besides her husband and six children and fifteen grandchildren, a great host of friends also mourn her departure. For 12 years she had lived and labored for the Master in the vicinity of Claremore. She was a kind faithful companion, an earnest devout child of God and a mother in Israel. A large circle of friends followed the remains to the house of God, her church home, and then to the cemetery where her body was placed to await the Glorious Resurrection.  Mother, sleeps in peace, Her soul has found release, Kind friends she loved so well can come where Christ now dwells. W.H.S.”[24]

Following this time, Tom Patterson owned his own business, a cab line,[25] then “formed a partnership with his brother George in the transfer business,” having a “handsome new bus … and a new dray wagon.”[26] He was also a very accomplished auctioneer involved in many large community auctions.[27]

There were more hunting excursions, one with A.V. Robinson, Dr. Hays and E.G. Bayless. They headed “for the river to spend the night eating squirrels and telling yarns.”[28] On another hunting trip (1913) it was said, “The mighty hunters of the Kiamich [sic] mountains have returned from the wilds, bringing back stringers of wild adventure and deer bagged. In one crowd which went were Dr. Hays, W.P. Johnston, Joe Hardin, G.O. Bayless and Frank Bortle. The other one contained Dr. Beson, Geo. and Tom Patterson, Walter Burgess and Dyke Robinson.”[29]

Tom Patton was a generous man.

“More Real Patriots Step to the Front – Wednesday, J.E. Long, J.M. Coker, R.R. Hamilton, George McPherson, John A. Bell, and T.P. Patterson sat on a jury in Justice J.H. Branden’s court.  When the case was done and Branden prepared to pay the juror’s regular fee, these patriots said, ‘Give it to the Red Cross.’ It was given. Many little bits make a big, big sum; more men like these will put the Hun on the run.”[30]

Yet more sadness was to follow.

Influenza with pneumonia complications claimed the life of Floyd Patterson. The “20-year-old-son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Patterson, died Monday morning at the home of his parents in the west part of town. He was strong and robust but it seems these are the kind of people the flu kills the easiest.”[31] Funeral services for Floyd Patterson were held at the Baptist church, Claremore, and “internment was made in Woodlawn cemetery.”[32]

This remembrance was printed in The Claremore Progress.  “In Fond Remembrance – Floyd Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Patterson, was born in Claremore, Jan. 23, 1894, died Jan 6, 1919; aged 23 years, 11 months and 17 days, having lived in Claremore all his life and was well-known and loved by all who knew him.  I thought of and loved Floyd. From my memory, there were so many good traits in his character that were lovable, and if there were any real bad ones I never saw them. He was always a perfect gentleman and the kind of a boy that God wants in His service. I tried many times to get him to come to my Sunday School class,s and he promised that he would come sometime, but boy-like, he was bashful and couldn’t make up his mind just when to come. I feel that I am to blame largely, for I know he would have come if I had gone after him a few Sundays. But at that, it isn’t the attendance at Sunday school or church that is to save one’s soul.  It is the love for Jesus and the acceptance of Him that opens the gate to heaven.  I am convinced that Floyd had done that before he died and, therefore, will have a place in the better land and is now waiting and watching eagerly for the rest of his loved ones to hasten and come to him. It is a real comfort to know that Jesus loves everybody and understands the human heart much better than we do, and if there is the slightest desire in the heart for a knowledge and love for Him, He will see it and accept that soul. – One Who Loved Him.”[33]

Yet sorrow was replaced by joy in the Patterson family in February 1922, when these words were penned for The Claremore Progress.

“Patterson-Whitney Nuptials – Mrs. Tom Patterson, entertained a number of friends at her home in Prep addition, Monday afternoon, in honor of her new daughter, Mrs. Homer Patterson. The event was given in the form of a miscellaneous kitchen shower, and many beautiful, as well as useful gifts, were received by the bride.  Dainty refreshments of sandwiches cake and coffee were served to the following guests: Mesdames Conway, Beveile, Adams, Dowell, Buster, Hardgraves, Numm, Lester, Nichols, Stafford, Blackwell, Finch, F. Patterson, Humphreys, Dale, H. Patterson, and Miss Rhoda Buster. Mrs. Patterson was ably assisted by her daughter, Mrs. Ernest Humphreys, of Miami. The marriage of Homer G. Patterson to Mrs. Lynn Whitney, of Salina, Oklahoma, solemnized, February 24, 1922, came as a surprise to their many Claremore friends. However, the usual good wishes are extended for a long and happy married life.”[34]

Thomas Patterson, “big, jovial, loveable ‘Tom Pat’ as he was known far and wide, was a friend to all and an enemy to none… Mr. Patterson was an expert ventriloquist and entertained many with his performances. One of his favorite pastimes was to inveigle strangers into the railroad yards by simulating the wail of a man in distress. Many a time he caused rounds of hearty laughter by his ability to send strangers in search of a man who was crying for help.”[35]

Born January 22, 1862, after serving the peace with a beneficial life to his family and Claremore community, on February 1, 1927, at age 65, Thomas P. Patterson passed from this life and joined his loved ones who preceded him to Glory. “His death,” it was said, “was a loss to the entire community, as he was known and loved by all for his kindly, cheery disposition. His was a life of good deeds, done unselfishly, with no thought of reward.” Interment was in Claremore’s Woodlawn Cemetery. [36]

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources:

Unless otherwise noted, all newspapers were sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

[1]Patterson, Louise. “Thomas P. Patterson.” The History of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation, 1979. p.348.

[2]Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 3, No. 14, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 4, 1895, .Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182557/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[3]Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 3, No. 50, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 18, 1896, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182824/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[4]The Daily Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 2, No. 224, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 15, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177859/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[5]The Daily Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 2, No. 43, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 15, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177836/: accessed December 31, 2018).

The Daily Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 2, No. 255, Ed. 1 Friday, September 20, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177548/: accessed December 31, 2018).

Latta, T. A. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, February 14, 1902, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177900/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[6]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 8, No. 50, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 19, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182679/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[7]Jennings, H. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 9, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, May 29, 1903, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177943/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[8]Smith, Clark. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 13, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 14, 1907, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178154/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[9]Smith, Clark. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 13, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, June 28, 1907, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178156/: accessed January 1, 2019).

[10]Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 4, No. 6, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 14, 1896, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183220/: accessed January 1, 2019).

[11]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 8, No. 18, Ed. 1 Saturday, August 18, 1900, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182501/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[12]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 32, Ed. 1 Saturday, November 25, 1899, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182976/: accessed January 1, 2019).

[13]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 37, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 30, 1899, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182225/: accessed January 1, 2019).

[14]The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 7, No. 21, Ed. 1 Friday, August 9, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177857/m1/6/?q=%22Joe+Gibbs%22: accessed November 9, 2017).

[15]The Daily Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 2, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, January 11, 1901, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177833/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[16]Latta, T. A. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 8, No. 15, Ed. 1 Friday, June 27, 1902, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177908/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[17]Jennings, H. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 9, No. 23, Ed. 1 Friday, August 21, 1903, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177955/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[18]Rose, Serena. “Richard Rose.” The History of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation, 1979. p.379.

[19]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 11, No. 33, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 26, 1903, Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183580/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[20]Jennings, H., editor. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 9, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, October 30, 1903; (http://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177964/: accessed September 18, 2016).

[21]The Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 11, No. 39, Ed. 1 Saturday, November 7, 1903; Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182990/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[22]Rose, Serena. “Richard Rose.” The History of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation, 1979. p.379.

[23]Rose, Serena. “Richard Rose.” The History of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation, 1979. p.379.

[24]Lynch, J. M., editor. The Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 10, No. 17, Ed. 1 Friday, July 1, 1904; (http://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc177997/: accessed September 18, 2016).

[25]Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Indian Terr.), Vol. 15, No. 40, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 26, 1907; Claremore, Indian Territory. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182482/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[26]Claremore Progress. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 55, Ed. 1 Saturday, February 6, 1909; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182208/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[27]Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 2, Ed. 1 Friday, December 2, 1910; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178355/:accessed December 31, 2018).

[28]Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, November 1, 1912; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181316/:accessed March 22, 2018).

[29]Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, November 28, 1913; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc178557/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[30]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 19, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 30, 1918; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182586/:accessed September 23, 2018).

[31]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 9, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183553/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[32]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 26, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday,  January 9, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc183553/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[33]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 27, No. 8, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 13, 1919; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc182712/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[34]Kates, W. C. The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 6, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 16, 1922; Claremore, Oklahoma. (gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc181904/: accessed December 31, 2018).

[35]Patterson, Louise. “Thomas P. Patterson.” The History of Rogers County, Oklahoma. Claremore College Foundation. 1979. p.348.

[36]https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34275424/thomas-patterson. Accessed Dec. 31, 2018.