Rev. James R. Patton was born April 9, 1846, in Payneville, Mo., and died January 18, 1905, in Cyrene, Mo., of acute pneumonia, aged 59 years, 10 months and 21 days. He attended school in Clarksville. His early education was quite defective. He married Miss Mary Fannie Davis, August 26, 1871. Six children were born of the union--four girls and two boys. One girl died in 1892, and was buried in the Buffalo cemetery. His wife died in April, 1895, while they lived in Whiteside, and was buried in the Auburn cemetery. In June, 1896, he married Miss Alice Humphrey.

Brother Patton became religious when young. He was received as a candidate for the ministry by Salt River Presbytery at Smyrna, April, 1867; was licensed at Middletown, September, 1868, and was ordained at Corinth September, 1871. Rev. E.P. Pharr preached the ordination sermon, and Dr. M. M. Tucker presided and gave the charge. Since his ordination, now thirty-three and a half years ago, he had been continually in the pulpit, preaching twenty-seven and a half years in Salt River Presbytery--three years in Illinois at Bethalto and Davilla and three years in McGhee Presbytery at Salsbury. He had lived in New Florence ten or twelve years, Louisiana six years, Whiteside four years, Bowling Green one year and Cyrene five years. During his ministry he had preached from five to twelve years for New Florence, Brush Creek, Buffalo, Auburn, Silex, Curryville, Whiteside, Concord and Antioch, and to other churches not so long.

He did a great deal of home missionary work, preaching in schoolhouses and wherever there was a prospect of accomplishing good. He was a strong preacher. His style was peculiarly his own. He was a hard student and made himself a ripe scholar. After his marriage, he mastered the Greek and Hebrew grammars, until he became a good linguist. There were but few better scholars and no better student in the country than Brother Patton. I know of no larger or better library in any private home--and he was well acquainted with it. He was an excellent historian--sacred and profane, ancient and modern. He gave his library to Missouri Valley College.

He was very fond of controversy, often preaching on controverted subjects. He has had a number of debates on baptism. The last one was in Middleton in August, 1904. He was the best-posted man of baptism in any of the churches in our state. He has prepared a book on baptism; one also on sanctification. They are about ready for the press.

Brother Patton's social qualifications were very fine, making for him many friends wherever he lived or preached. His death will be greatly felt, not only in his family, but also in our presbytery

He was a devoted Odd Fellow, ranking among the best in information and in devotion to the cause. The lodges from Louisiana, of which he was a member, and Bowling Green were in attendance, and after the funeral sermon by the writer, buried him in the Antioch cemetery, with the ceremonial honors. Nearly all of the preachers of the presbytery were in attendance. A large congregation from Antioch and the adjoining churches attended the funeral services. At the time of his death he had charge of the Antioch and Concord churches. A good man is gone; virtue has gone out from our presbytery. "He fought a good fight; he kept the faith." and is now reaping the consequences therefrom.
E. D. PEARSON.
Louisiana, Mo.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, February 2, 1905, page 159]

Ordained Ministers Deceased
Name: Jas. R. Patton
Occupation: charge
Presbytery: Salt River
Place of Residence: Cyrene, Mo.
Date: Jan. 18, 1905
Age: 58

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1905, page 148a]

James R. Patton
Cumberland Presbyterian Minister
born: 9 April 1846 - Paynesville, Pike County, Missouri
died: 18 January 1905 - Cyrene, Pike County, Missouri
buried: Antioch Cemetery - Pike County, Missouri
[Location: Cuivre Twp. - Just west of the present Antioch Church, but is today a community cemetery. It is used largely by the Antioch Church and the Cyrene Baptist Church. From Bowling Green take Hwy 61 south to State Rd. HH, 1.1 miles south on HH to Pike 309, then 0.6 miles west on 309.]
married 1st: 26 August 1871
1st wife: Mary Fannie Davis
died: April 1895 - Whiteside, Lincoln County, Missouri
buried: Auburn Cemetery - Lincoln County, Missouri

Children of James R. Patton and Mary Fannie Davis Patton:

1. [female] Patton
died: 1892
buried: Buffalo Cemetery - Pike County, Missouri
[Location: 392440N0910302W - Buffalo Twp. Sec. 31 T54N R1-2W, about 3 miles southwest of Louisiana. Take Hwy 79 south of Louisiana, take State Rd D 1.6 miles to County Rd 251, then west on 251 for 0.8 miles.]

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

married 2nd: June 1896
2nd wife: Alice Humphrey