George W. Patterson, I, was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire on November 11, 1799. He moved to New York State in 1818 where he became engaged in a variety of manufacturing and agricultural pursuits. Politically active, Patterson was a member of the state assembly, 1832-1833 and 1835-1840. In 1841, he moved to Westfield, New York to take charge of the Chautauqua land office. He was elected lieutenant governor of New York in 1848. He also served one term in Congress, 1877 to 1879. He died October 15, 1879.
George W. Patterson, II, was a Westfield, New York businessman. He died in 1904.
George W. Patterson, III, was born in Corning, New York on February 1, 1864. He received his B.A. degree from Yale in 1884, his B.S. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1887, and his Ph.D. from the University of Munich in 1899. Patterson had come to Ann Arbor in 1889 as instructor in electrical engineering; in 1890, he was appointed instructor in physics; he was made assistant professor in 1891, junior professor in 1897. From 1901 to 1905, he was junior professor of electrical engineering; from 1905 to 1915 he was full professor. In 1915, he was made head of the department of engineering mechanics. In 1922 he was appointed assistant dean of the Colleges of Engineering and Architecture. He was made associate dean in 1928. He died May 22, 1930.
George W. Patterson, IV, was a graduate of Yale University, class of 1914, and a decorated soldier during World War I.
From the guide to the Patterson Family papers, 1825-1931, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
