Abram Coleman PATTERSON
(March 7, 1839 - February 14, 1897)

Personal History of A. C. Patterson for Allegheny County Bar Ass'n.
by A.C. PATTERSON.

Mr. Chairman,

Sirs;

In answer to your request of my life, I briefly say that I have no desire to have any special record made, but as you have requested, I will narrate the following brief facts.

I am the fourth son of William Patterson and Isabelle Patterson, who at the date of my birth resided on a farm in Wolf Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. My father had resided there from his boyhood, he being the second son of David Patterson and Mary L. Patterson, who were both raised, educated and married in Scotland, and emigrated to Ireland, and from thence to this country (USA), via Canada about 1815.

My mother's maiden name was Isabella Coleman, a daughter of Joshua Coleman, who was born in Washington, Pa., from ancestry that moved into that section soon after the Revolutionary War, in the vicinity of the old Redstone Presbyterian Church, Being adherents of that faith and church. They came from the state of Delaware.

My first recollection I was sent to the district school of the neighborhood where I was born, at the age of about ten years I was privileged to have about two years schooling at the Fourth Ward School in Allegheny City, and one at Beaver Academy and two years at the Academy at Wilkinsburgh, Allegheny County, Pa., and three years at Washington College in Washington, Pa., after which I was enrolled as a law student in the law office of the Honorable Thomas Ewing.

Soon after in August, A.D. 1862, I enlisted as a volunteer in Company "H" of the 134 Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served out my term of enlistment, which permitted me to participate in, and see part of the Second Battle of Bull Run, also Battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chancellorsville.

After the expiration of my term of enlistment I returned to the study of the law and was admitted to the Bar of Allegheny County, Pa. on the 3rd day of January A.D. 1865.

After spending one year in travelling in various states in our country, I entered into the practice of law about May 1866, in the same office with James M. Stoner, as tenants of the office of Hon. Thomas Williams, who was then a member of Congress, he leaving in our charge his large and well filled library, in his well known one story office on Fourth Avenue, where the Dollar Bank now stands.

The library brought us not only friends but it was a great avenue to draw the wealth of legal income from. We afterwards secured a large part of the library of Hon. Thomas Williams, and by reason of that fact Mr. Williams, when he came home from Congress, made our office a place of resort, when he was in the city, which made it pleasant to have him visit us, and he took great pains to keep us well informed about all Congressional matters, and especially the questions that arose on the impeachment of the President, Andrew Johnson, and the reconstruction of the Southern States. Stoner and I separated our offices in about A.D. 1880, each taking a share of the Library gotten from Hon. Thomas Williams, and have continued our business separate practitioners.

A.C. PATTERSON.

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IN MEMORIAM.

A. C. Patterson, deceased

Read before Allegheny County Bar Ass'n

Friday Feb. 19, 1897 at 3 o'clock, P.M.

Again the ruthless hand of death is felt in our midst and we record another loss. When we meet to honor the memory of those who precede us in the final journey, we also honor ourselves by recognizing publicly their true worth and thereby learn to know them better than, perhaps, was possible during their stay with us.

Abram Coleman Patterson was truly known to but few and those few were rewarded for their knowledge in seeing in him a man almost pure and perfect in all his relations. His gentle and quiet demeanor was not soliciting appreciation or praise, he did not live for applause or recognition, but he was, in all things, more and better than he seemed: of delicate constitution and not strong in health yet he served his country during the late war. Apparently absorbed in his private concerns yet he was remarkably well posted in the trend of public affairs. In manners quiet and gentle, yet there could not be a more persistent and pertinacious antagonist. As a lawyer he was unassuming, yet when engaged in a cause he surprised his opponents with his mental resources. Although intellectualyy not brilliant, yet his tenacity and perseverance accomplished a giant's task.

To his clients he was a friend, and in their service he would not only give his time and efforts but, when required, spend his means freely, and would work with such indefatigable patience and persistance, that, as a rule, he saved and achieved success where others would have dispaired and allowed ruin to take its course.

Where, however, his character shone with brightest luster was on the field of morals.

Believing sincerely in the teachings of Christianity he make his daily doings prove his convictions. He was true in thought, in word and action. He never thought nor spoke ill of his neighbor, delighted in all that was good in others, and loved to render them kindness.

And above all he was sturdy and steadfast, his word was his bond: he was, in all things, thoroughly reliable. With such qualities he could not be other than one of the truest and staunchest of friends to those admitted to his intimacy, in the goodness of heart he delighted in rendering them knidly service. And although he met with ingratitude, the frequent reward of generous souls, yet he would forget the wrong, but cherish the past pleasures of friendship.

Such, in short, was the life of our late brother, His memory will live long among his friends.

Magnus Pflaum.

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