Patten, Charles R.

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon.

CHARLES R. PATTEN. - It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph a representation in this volume of Union county's history, since he has labored faithfully here for the advancement of the county and has demeaned himself in such a commendable manner that he has won the admiration and esteem of all who are acquainted with him.

Charles R. was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on December 10, 1860, being the son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Young) Patten, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Missouri. The father came to California in the early fifties nad two years later migrated thence to southern Oregon, where he was married and then removed to Walla Walla. In this place he raised stock and did carpenter work, being the builder of the first jail in that city. In 1864 he left Walla Walla and came to Union county, taking as a homestead the ground where Summerville is now located. He took up saw milling and farming until 1888, then retired from active work, living in Elgin, in which place, in the spring of 1889, he was called hence by death, the mother having passed away in March, 1872. Our subject worked with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-three, then engaged as salesman with Dan Sommers in Summerville and Elgin for nine years. Subsequent to that time he was occupied with saw milling in different portions of the county and then took charge of the place where he now lives, three miles northwest from Elgin.

On January 13, 1884, Mr. Patten married Miss Sarah Ohns, in Summerville, and two children were the fruit of this union, Ray and Harvey. On March 22, 1888, Mrs. Patten was called away by death.

On March 22, 1896, Mr. Patten contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma, daughter of Y.S. and Catherine Darr, and the nuptials were celbrated in Lagrande. Three children have been born to them, Leo, Murray and Jean. Mr. and Mrs. Darr came to this county in 1882 and he engaged in farming and saw milling. At the present time they are living with our subject. Mr. Patten is a member of the W. of W., Rockwell Camp, No. 700. He is a man of enterprise and has won the meed of success in his endeavors, being one of the substantial citizens of the county.

Source: Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon

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