DR. RICHARD A. PATTERSON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Caroline county, Virginia, on
March 15, 1826. His collegiate education was received at Richmond
College, and he was graduated in medicine at the Richmond Medical
College. Until 1850 he practiced in Goochland county, then came to
Richmond and engaged in the manufacture of tobacco until the war.
In 1864-5 he was surgeon of the 56th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A. From
the close of the war until 1869 he was farming in Henrico county, and
since that year has been engaged again in the tobacco business, the firm
known first as R. A. Patterson & Co., and changed to the R. A. Patterson
Tobacco Co., a stock concern. Dr. Patterson was four years director
of the Virginia Penitentiary, has been supervisor of Henrico county
for the last six years; has been president of the Richmond Tobacco
Exchange since July, 1888; and is a member of the Virginia Exposition
Executive committee of Richmond.
Thomas Patterson, born in King William county, died in 1834, was
the father of Dr. Patterson, and his mother, who died in 1878, was
Susan G., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Andrews) Thomas, of
Caroline county. The first wife of Dr. Patterson was Margaret L.
Courtney, born in King and Queen county, Virginia, whom he married
near Richmond, May 13, 1851, and who died in 1866. Their children
were born in the order named: R. Fuller, Archer W., James T. and
Malvern C. Secondly, in November, 1868, Dr. Patterson married Bettie
A DuVal, born near Richmond. They were married at Madison, Florida,
and have two children: Elizabeth G. and Warren P.
