| 116 | HISTORY OF ALLEN AND |
IRA E. PATTERSON.
IRA E. PATTERSON, of Iola, in the business of plumbing, cornice work and general builders supplies, began his life in Iola in 1882, as a clerk in the grocery of Richards & Lakin. The next year he joined Nimrod Hankins in the same business, which partnership and business existed one year. Being a mechanic, he engaged in building work and followed his trade some ten years, and left it to engage in the lumber business with H. E. Thomas. Upon the dissolution of this firm their tinning and plumbing business was retained and Mr. Patterson succeeded to it. While at first it was a matter of small dimensions the growth of the city has justified its owner in extending and enlarging his business till its importance is second to none in Allen County.
Mr. Patterson was born in Henry County, Ill., March 30, 1865. He received a good common school education in the school at Annawan, Ill. At the age of seventeen years he became responsible for his maintenance and support. He went into a carpenter shop with W. K. Brown, of Annawan, and became an efficient mechanic in due time. He came to Kansas a youth of eighteen with no capital except his industry and his character. How well he has exercised the former and maintained the latter old residents of Iola will amply testify.
Mr. Patterson was married in Iola October, 1889, to Susie B., a daughter of Henry Waters. Mrs. Patterson was born in Douglas County, Kansas, in 1868. Their children are: Arthur E., Lyford M. and Helen R. Patterson.
Mr. Patterson is known as an active Republican and as a leading member of the Methodist church. He has served the city as a member of her common Council and has served his church in its various departments of church work.
Page 116, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.
