T. M'F. PATTON DEAD.
Expired Suddenly From Heart Failure
Death Came Unexpectedly
The Life and Deeds of One of Oregon's Pioneers and Most Prominent Men
T. McF. Patton is dead! He was at his place of business until yesterday and was apparently in good health. In the afternoon he attended the funeral of Rev. O. Dickinson at the Congregational church, acting in the capacity of pallbearer. At the church he exerted himself in assisting to carry the casket. From the church he came to the store, complaining of a pain in the region of his heart. The pain was so great that at a little before 3 o'clock he hurried to Dr. J. A. Richardson's office for relief. Finding Dr. Richardson absent he went to Dr. B. H. Bradshaw in the same building. This was at ten minutes to 3 o'clock, and when Dr. Bradshaw made a hasty examination he found Mr. Patton pulse-less. Whisky was given him and the pulse rallied. Morphine was administered hypodermically and the sufferer rested quite easily on the sofa.
Mrs. Patton was sent for and came to him and he talked cheerfully, saying that he would be all right in a few minutes. But at 3:15 he gave a gasp, sank back upon the sofa, became rigid and expired, the pulse having stopped instantly.
Thomas McFadden Patton was born in Carrolton, Ohio, March 19, 1829, and nine years later moved with his parents to Findlay. His education was secured at Martinsburg academy and at the Ohio Weslyan University, Delaware. He chose the law as his profession and after the usual preparation passed the examinations, being admitted to the bar in 1850.
The very flattering reports which returning parties from Oregon had circulated relative to this section reaching his ears, he determine to come West, and in 1851 joined a part of overland emigrants at Council Bluffs, arriving at his destination in October of that year. He stopped first in Yamhill County and in the following December came to Salem. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Patton removed to Jackson county and shortly afterwards was elected county judge, which office he resigned in 1854. During the Indian War of 1853 he served as orderly sergeant in Co. A., commanded by Captain John F. Miller.
He returned to Salem and on August 3, 1854, was married to Mrs. [Miss] Frances M. Cooke, only daughter of Hon. E. N. Cooke, at one time state treasurer of Oregon. Miss Cooke was one of the parties that came overland with Mr. Patton a few years before. The first year of their married life was passed in Jacksonville, when, at the earnest solicitation of Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, they removed to Salem. He served as chief clerk of the house in 1860 and in 1861 was appointed chief clerk in the office of Indian affairs under W. H. Rector.
He was for several years secretary of the People's Transportation Co. and again in 1866 was elected chief clerk of the house. In 1872 he was elected representative to the legislature from Marion County and in 1876 was appointed appraiser of merchandise for the Willamette district, in which capacity he served for seven years. In 1884 he was appointed Untied States consul at Hiogo, Japan, and held that position until 1887, when he returned to Salem and engaged in the book and stationery business.
Mr. Patton took an active interest in Masonry and at the time of his death was the eminent commander of the Grand Commandry of Oregon and during his lifetime filled the greater number of the more important offices within the gift of the fraternity. He has served as grand secretary, grand treasurer, and deputy grand master, and served one term as grand high priest of the Royal Arch chapter. For sixteen years he was chairman of the committee on foreign correspondence for the grand chapter.
During his career in public life many and varied acquirements were demanded to meet all the positions he had been called upon to fill, yet he adorned them all. Being a shrewd businessman and cautious in his investments, success attended him and he leaves considerable property. In 1886 Mr. Patton was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died on December 7th of that year, leaving three children. The two sons, Cooke and Hal, were in business with their father in Salem at the time of his death, and the other, a daughter, is living in Joseph, Wallowa County, being the wife of J. D. McCully.
On January 10, 1889, Mr. Patton was married to Mrs. Joseph Holman [maiden name: Libbie Buss], of this city, who survives him and was by his side yesterday when the dread summons came. Mr. Patton was during his life a true Christian and was a member of the First Congregational church of Salem almost ever since its inception, and during the greater part of the time has been superintendent of that Sunday school.
The funeral arrangements are not yet concluded, but the body will not be given burial until sometime Friday. The remains have been embalmed.
