JOHN AND NELLIE PATTERSON FAMILY

Daniel Patterson was born October 8, 1829 in Dumfrieshire, Scotland in the family home known as Kirtlehead near Ecclefenchen, a hilly sheep farm. He was the 10th child of John and Jane Hall Patterson. He left home at the age of 20 and came to America in 1849.

Daniel’s younger brother, James came over in 1852. They purchased 120 acres of land in section 9, in Wheatland Township, Will County, and Illinois, about 8 miles Southwest of Naperville.

Daniel married Jane Williamson of Lake County, Illinois, on October 13, 1859. James was born January 1, 1839 in Dumfrieshire, Scotland and came to America with her parents. Daniel and a bachelor brother James gradually built barns and cribs and enlarged the family house as the family increased. Dan and Jane had ten children; the two oldest died in an epidemic in June 1864. There were six girls and four boys in the family. Daniel was a very likeable person and belongs to the DuPage Presbyterian Church and rarely missed a service. He was a member for 58 years and an elder for 41 years.

James lived with his brother, Daniel’s family and they were public spirited people. James was founder of the Wheatland Plowing Match. Both of them took part in community affairs, including Farmers Institute, religious, political, educational and social events. They traded and bought what they needed in Naperville and Plainfeild. 

Their son, John Williamson, was born November 16,1869 and married Nellie Clow on August 5, 1903. They lived on his father’s and mother’s farm after his parents retired. John and Nellie had six children: Thomas, Stewart, Harvey, Helen, Isabel and James. All of them graduated from Naperville High School, except Isabel who died at 14 years, and they are all retired from farming. James died December 4,1971.