Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Alexander PATTERSON, furniture, livery stable, Braidwood; the subject of this sketch is one 
of the prominent merchants of Braidwood; was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, June 5, 1828; his 
parents are James and Christiana (STRONG) PATTERSON of Scotland; his father was engaged in 
the mining business; when Mr. PATTERSON was but 8 years old, he commenced working in the 
mines and followed this while he was in Scotland; in 1852, he emigrated to America, and 
landed in New York City; then to the coal-fields of Pennsylvania; remained there two years, 
where he got the gold fever; he then went to California seeking gold; engaged in mining for 
gold two and a half years very successfully; he then came to Illinois and settled in DeKalb 
Co., here he purchased a farm with his hard earnings in California; he commenced farming in 
DeKalb Co., this, his first experience; he remained here about five years, then to Morris, 
Grundy Co., engaged in mining, then in the manufacturing of brick with one of the largest 
brick-making machines in the State, having a capacity of 25,000 brick per day; he then, in 
1872, came to Braidwood and commenced the livery and feed business; firm's name Patterson, 
McKinley & Co., he then bought out McKinley, and it is now A. & J. W. Patterson, commenced 
the furniture business in 1874; is the largest store-room in the city of Braidwood, 22x8O 
two stories high; the livery is one of the best liveries in Braidwood, keep from ten to 
fourteen horses on hand, with buggies and vehicles for the same. Mr. PATTERSON commenced 
life a very poor boy, his first start was in the gold-field of California; from this he 
has been very successful in life, today ranking as one of the successful men of Will Co.; 
he is the founder of the Masonic Braidwood Lodge, No. 704, and he and his son J. W., are 
very active members. Mr. PATTERSON is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a National 
Greenbacker in politics. Married in 1849 to Miss Jane MCKINLEY of Scotland; seven children, 
four living: two sons and two daughters; his two sons J. W. and Alexander, are engaged in 
business with Mr. PATTERSON.