Benjamin Wiley Patton

BENJAMIN WILEY PATTON. Here and there, scattered over the fertile prairies and through the beautiful woodland of this section of the State, may be found the venerable pioneer. Those who came prior to 1830, however, are very few. Their number, never large, has dwindled down to a mere handful. Of one of this honored number we give the following brief sketch. He made settlement here as early as in the spring of 1828. He was born in Garrard County, Ky., June 18, 1816. His father, John Patton, was born in North Carolina, and in early years settled in Kentucky. He was married in that State, to Margaret Wiley, daughter of William Wiley. The Patton family were of Irish extraction, and the paternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Patton, was a native of that country, and emigrated to the United States in early manhood. The Wileys were of English descent, and on emigrating to this country first made settlement in Maryland.

John Patton was a gunsmith, and also worked at the blacksmith trade, and during the latter years of his life was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He emigrated with his family to Indiana in 1817, and made settlement on the Ohio River. There he continued to reside until the fall of 1827, when he came to this State, overland, passing the first winter in Old Town Timber, McLean County, on the North Fork of Salt Creek. The following spring he moved, and settled near where the village of Selma is now located. There he took up a land claim, upon which he located with his family and engaged in its improvement, and when the land came into market purchased it, and continued to make this his home until his death, which occurred in 1854. His good wife died some six years previously. Twelve children were born of their union, seven sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. Their names are as follows: Sarah, wife of Aaron Foster; Cassandria was united in marriage with Williarp Wiley; Susanna and John Messer became man and wife; John and William were next in order of birth; Margaret married George Henline; Benjamin, our subject, was the next; Jemima became the wife of Calvin Adams; Aaron and Moses were twins, and Josephine and Constantino complete the number.

Benjamin Patton was the seventh in order of birth of his parents' twelve children, and when he accompanied them to this county he was twelve years old. His education was somewhat limited, on account of the necessity which required his assistance on the farm, and the scarcity of the public schools in his vicinity. He remained with the old folk until he was twenty-three years old, when he was married to Mary Ann Connover, the date of their marriage being Oct. 13, 1838. She was a daughter of William Connover, who was born in New Jersey. He had moved to Kentucky, and there married Rebecca Hopkins, by whom he had twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to attain the age of maturity except one, and all now living with the exception of two..

After our subject's marriage he settled near the old homestead of his father, and improved a farm, upon which he lived until his removal to the place on section 22, Lexington Township, where he is at present residing. This was fifty-nine years ago, consequently our subject has experienced the hardships common to old settlers. His farm comprises 140 acres of well-improved land, and he also has twenty-six acres of timber. He has a good residence, barn and out-buildings, and is meeting with fair success in the prosecution of his vocation. For the last six years he has suffered considerably from injuries received by his team running over him and dragging him quite a distance.

Mr. Patton is now in his seventy-first year. He has never had any children, and has devoted the years thus far in life to agricultural pursuits. His good wife is seventy-two years old, and for forty-nine years they have together toiled and laborer

., 914 for each other's good as man and wife. They are both members Of the Christian Church. Our subject was converted to the cause of the Master over half a century ago, and his good wife about sixty years ago. By their energy and perseverance they have secured a competency, and are enabled to pass the sunset of life in peace and quiet. In politics he is a Democrat. In selecting those to be represented in the portrait department of this work, no worthier couple could be found within the confines of the county than Benjamin Pattou and wife.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.