Joseph M. Patterson (politician)

Joseph M. Patterson was born in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, on August 12, 1837. In 1857, he moved west to Sterling, Illinois, where he was admitted as a partner to the Patterson, Witmer & Co. law firm. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he joined Company B of the 15th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was soon named Orderly Sergeant. In 1863, he was made a lieutenant. He was mustered out in 1864 and returned to his law firm. He left in 1866, entering a partnership the next year with the Rogers, Patterson & Co. banking house. When it dissolved, Patterson joined the Patterson & Co. bank in Sterling.^[1]

In 1868, Patterson was elected alderman of Sterling's 2nd Ward, serving a two-year term. During this term, he was also elected township supervisor for a four-year term, leading the board for two years. However, he resigned in 1872 following his election to the Illinois Senate, where he served a two-year term. Patterson co-founded the Sterling Gsa Light Company in 1874 and served as its first president. He was re-elected to his position as township supervisor in 1876, then was elected Mayor of Sterling the next year.^[1]

Patterson later moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He died there on January 26, 1914,^[2] and was buried in Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City.^{[citation needed]}