James Madison Patterson, 1836-1903 [RG3637.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG3637.AM: James Madison Patterson, 1836-1903

Diary: 1861-1873
Rock Bluff, Cass County, Neb.: Stockraiser
Size: 1 diary

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

James Madison Patterson was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1836. He received his early education in the public schools and worked in his father’s mercantile store. On August 17, 1858, Patterson married Ellen H. Campbell and the couple had ten children.

In 1861 Patterson came to Nebraska and opened a store in Rock Bluff, Cass County. After three years he and his brother Ambrose sold out. Patterson returned to Pennsylvania where he purchased some 1,000 head of sheep which he brought to Rock Bluff. After experimenting with sheep raising for three years, he sold his holdings and returned to the mercantile trade which he continued with his cousin, James Walker, until 1873. The following year Patterson moved to Plattsmouth, and in December of 1881, became associated with the Bank of Cass County. He held the positions of cashier and director until his ill health forced his resignation in January of 1901.

James Patterson’s political career included his election in 1861 to the Nebraska Territorial Legislature which however, did not convene because of the Civil War. In 1870 he was elected to the Nebraska House of Representatives and in 1882, was elected to the State Senate. A democrat throughout his life, Patterson also held various county and city offices.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of the diary of James M. Patterson of Rock Bluff and Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The entries, while brief, contain interesting references to Patterson’s sheep-raising experiments, farm life, and social activities in and around Rock Bluff. A Franklin Almanac was used for the diary and it includes yearly resumes of national events, especially during the Civil War period.

INVENTORY

Diary of James M. Patterson, 1861-1873

Subject headings:

Cass County (Neb.) — History
Farm life — Nebraska — Cass County
Livestock — Nebraska
Patterson, James Madison, 1836-1903
Plattsmouth (Neb.) — History
Rock Bluff (Neb.) — History
Sheep

JEP/DDS/ht 08-31-1973
Encoded TMM 01-25-2011

Become a Member!

Our members make history happen.

Join Now

You May Also Enjoy

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

The Story of Omaha Police Fingerprint Expert Emily Byram

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Marker Monday: Cather Childhood Home

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

Yutan Tornado – March 23, 1913

About History Nebraska
History Nebraska was founded in 1878 as the Nebraska State Historical Society 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 History Nebraska from a state institution to a state agency. The division is headed by Interim Director and CEO Jill Dolberg. They are assisted by an administrative staff responsible for financial and personnel functions, museum store services, security, and facilities maintenance for History Nebraska.
Explore Nebraska
Discover the real places and people of our past at these History Nebraska 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 History Nebraska members.

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

History Nebraska'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

History Nebraska Research and Reference Services help connect you to the material we collect and preserve.

Support History Nebraska
Make a cash donation to help us acquire, preserve, and interpret Nebraska’s history. Gifts to History Nebraska help leave a legacy and may help your taxes, too! Support the work of History Nebraska by donating to the History Nebraska Foundation today.

Volunteers are the heroes of History Nebraska. 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.