Colonel Robert Patterson (1753-1827) was born in Pennsylvania and immigrated to Kentucky in 1775 where he founded the City of Lexington. Patterson fought in the Revolutionary War and in Indian campaigns with George Rogers Clark, and in 1786, was commissioned a colonel. Patterson later moved across the Ohio River and became one of the three original founders of the City of Cincinnati in 1788. In 1802 he moved into the Miami Valley and settled near Dayton. Col. Patterson continued his military career on the Ohio frontier, and was commissioned as a Quartermaster during the War of 1812. Along with his military activities, Col. Patterson farmed and raised eight children with his wife, Elizabeth (Lindsay) on the family farm, "Rubicon", which was located two miles south of the City of Dayton. He also operated a lumber mill with the aid of his youngest son, Jefferson Patterson (1801-1863).
Jefferson Patterson was raised in Dayton, Ohio, on the family farm, which he inherited along with the lumber mill on the death of his father. Jefferson's marriage to Julia Johnston (1811-1897) united two of Ohio's most famous pioneer families. Julia was the daughter of Col. John Johnston (1775-1861), a well-known Indian agent and trader in Piqua, Ohio. A native of Ireland, Johnston immigrated to America in 1786. He served in the supply business for Wayne's army in 1793-1794, and in Fort Wayne, 1798-1812. In 1812, he was appointed Indian agent at Upper Piqua, Ohio.
Jefferson and Julia Johnston Patterson had 14 children. One, John H. (1844-1922) gained national prominence. With his brother Frank J. (1849-1901), John H. Patterson co-founded the National Cash Register Company in Dayton in 1884. As president of NCR, he developed the cash register into an indispensable commercial tool, and his innovative marketing and employee relations practices revolutionized American business. He was also very active in local civic affairs and was instrumental in the formation of the city manager style of government in Dayton.
A detailed Patterson Family genealogy is located in Box 14, File 39. Family histories of the Johnston Family are in Box 13, Files 20, 21, and 26, and a family history of the Pattersons is located in Box 13, File 28. Scrapbook #10 also contains extensive biographical material on Col. John Johnston.
From the guide to the Patterson Family Papers, 1780-1970, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)
