Patterson Family Papers

Scope and content: The Patterson Family Papers consist of correspondence, a biographical account of Kansas pioneer life, family histories (McDowell), speeches written by Reverend Phillip Patterson, and funeral guest books related to the Patterson family of Concordia and Topeka, Kansas. Many of the letters were sent by or to Mary Josephine Patterson Hambleton of Topeka, who is also the author of the biographical account of pioneer life in Kansas. The account describes living conditions, prairie fires, winters, social life, food, schooling and other aspects of pioneer life at the time.

Mary Josephine Patterson was born on December 12th, 1879, to parents Philip D. Patterson and Belle M. Patterson. The Pattersons arrived in Kansas from Ohio earlier that same year and settled north of Concordia, Kansas. Philip Patterson was a Presbyterian minister and farmer, and Belle was a dedicated homemaker. The family built the earliest known frame house in the Concordia area and were well-connected in the community. Mary Patterson attended school in Concordia and attended Emporia State Teacher's College. After some time spent as a teacher, she married Antrim Hambleton, settled in Topeka, and had a son named Philip N. Hambleton. Mary's mother and father passed away on November 9th, 1923, and October 14th, 1932, respectively. Mary herself passed away on December 23rd, 1957.

General Note: A spelling error "Paterson" instead of "Patterson" was accidentally duplicated on some of the finding aids available concerning this collection. The latter is the correct spelling, but the incorrect spelling may appear on some folders or cards in the catalog.

The speeches or sermons written by Reverend Patterson may be older than the bulk date listed.