-------------------------------
from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
James G. Patterson, who since 1901 has engaged in the practice of law in Oskaloosa, was born in Jasper county, Iowa, August 6. 1871, a son of William J. and Elizabeth (Steel) Patterson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The year following their marriage they sought a home in the new world, settling in Ohio, whence they afterward came to Iowa. They lived for a few years upon a farm in this state and then returned to Ohio when their son James was only a few months old. In 1880, however, they took up their abode in Jasper county, this state, and in 1881 settled upon a farm in Mahaska county, where they resided for a long period, being closely connected with the agricultural interests of the locality. Three years ago they came to Oskaloosa, where Mr. Patterson is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. In the public schools James G. Patterson acquired his early education and was afterward graduated from the State University at Iowa City, completing the course in the College of Liberal Arts in 1899. He then determined upon the study of law in the same institution and was graduated from the law department in June, 1901, and was admitted to the bar in that year. Previous to this time he had read law with the firm of Bolton & Bolton and had also been a teacher in the public schools of Mahaska county. Following his graduation from the law course he entered upon practice in Oskaloosa, where he has since remained and the business accorded his is a public recognition of the confidence reposed in his skill and ability in the handling of important litigated interests. Mr. Patterson is a republican in his political views and active in the local ranks of the party, putting forth earnest and effective effort in its behalf. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is prominent and popular socially. He is a man conservative in his view, of sound judgment and recognized ability and although yet a young man his opinions have been a weighty element in molding public thought and action in this city. Possessed of laudable ambition for success-without which there is no advancement in business life-he is steadily progressing in his chosen field of labor and is already recognized as the peer of many of the strong and able members of the Oskaloosa bar.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy