Joseph Diven Patterson, 1836-1903 [RG1310.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1310.AM:  Joseph Diven Patterson, 1836-1903

Reminiscence:  1901
Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska:  Superintendent of public schools; county surveyor
Size:  One folder

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, on March 27, 1835, Joseph Diven Patterson was the son of John Patterson, a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. John Patterson died when Joseph was six years old. Mrs. Patterson had a difficult time raising three young sons on her own, so Joseph’s uncle, Samuel Patterson, offered to take and raise Joseph.

Joseph moved around quite a bit during his lifetime; living in at least nine states, including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Montana and Nebraska. Between 1861 and 1903 he spent time in several Nebraska communities, including Rock Bluff, Fremont, Portal and Papillion. The bulk of his time in Nebraska was spent serving as the County Superintendent of Public Schools and as county surveyor in Sarpy County. He also served seven years as postmaster of Portal, Nebraska.

Joseph Diven Patterson died on February 10, 1903 in Papillion, Nebraska.

Note:  See the collection for more detailed information about the life and career of Joseph D. Patterson.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection consists of a typescript reminiscence (photocopy) written by Joseph D. Patterson in 1901. The reminiscence is titled, “Something written for Mrs. Lulu P. Nickerson by Her Father, 1901.” In the reminiscence Patterson describes his family and education. He mentions “troubles” with Indians, as well as meeting the abolitionist, John Brown. He describes life in Ohio, Virginia, Montana and Nebraska, as well as several years he spent in Brazil. The collection also includes a photocopy of Patterson’s obituary from The Papillion Times.

INVENTORY

Reminiscence, 1901


Subject headings:

Bellevue (Neb.) — History
Fremont (Neb.) — History
Papillion (Neb.) — History
Patterson, Joseph Diven, 1836-1903
Rock Bluff (Neb.) — History
Sarpy County (Neb.) — History
Virginia — History


Revised TMM   02-14-2011

You May Also Enjoy

Send a Valentine to your Valentine from Valentine: History of the Cachet Program

Send a Valentine to your Valentine from Valentine: History of the Cachet Program

Beaten and Battered: Conservation of a Field Drum, War of 1812

Beaten and Battered: Conservation of a Field Drum, War of 1812

Marker Monday: DeWitty – An African American Settlement in the Sandhills

Marker Monday: DeWitty – An African American Settlement in the Sandhills

About NSHS

The Nebraska State Historical Society was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and they sought to record the stories of both indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the legislature in 1883. Legislation in 1994 changed NSHS from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Director Daryl Bohac. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for NSHS.

Explore Nebraska

Discover the real places and people of our past at these NSHS sites.

Upcoming Events

View our new and upcoming events to see how you can get involved.

Become a Member

The work we do to discover, preserve, and share Nebraska's history wouldn't be possible without the support of NSHS members.

NSHS Education

Learn more about the educational programs provided at our museums, sites, and online.

Education Digital Learning Resources

Find games, lists, and more to enhance your history education curriculum.

Latest Hall of Fame Inductee

The Nebraska Hall of Fame was established in 1961 to officially recognize prominent Nebraskans.

Listen to our Podcast

Listen to the articles and authors published in the Nebraska History Magazine with our new Nebraska History Podcast!

Nebraska Collections

NSHS's mission is to collect, preserve, and open our shared history to all Nebraskans.

Our YouTube Video Collection

Get a closer look at Nebraska's history through your own eyes, with our extensive video collections.

Additional Research Resources

NSHS's Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

NSHS Services

Digital Resources

Find all of our digital resources, files, videos, and more, all in one easy-to-search page!

Support The Historical Society

Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to the Nebraska State Historical Society help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of NSHS.

Volunteers are the heroes of NSHS. So much history, so little time! Your work helps us share access to Nebraska’s stories at our museums and sites, the reference room, and online.