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FRANCIS FORD PATTERSON JR. was born in Newark NJ on July 30, 1867. He moved with his parents to Woodbury, N.J., in 1874 and attended the public schools. At the age of thirteen he began work in a newspaper office. The Patterson family moved to 315 Linden Street, Camden NJ, in 1882 when his father started the Camden Daily Courier, and was connected with the Camden Courier until 1889, when his father sold the paper. He went to Baltimore and briefly worked for the Baltimore Herald, before returning to Camden. He held various jobs in local journalism until 1891, when he became the New Jersey editor of the Philadelphia Record 1890, where he remained until September of 1894, when he became the president, publisher, and editor of the Camden Post Telegram. His brothers, Theodore N. Patterson and Wolcott Patterson, worked with him for many years. Francis Ford Patterson ran the Post-Telegram until he sold the newspaper on October 1, 1923 to the Camden Publishing Company, headed by William Searle. Francis Ford Patterson reassumed control of the Post-Telegram shortly thereafter, and sold the paper once again, this time to a syndicate of Republican leaders headed by David Baird Jr., in 1924. During the 1900s and 1910s Frank Ford Patterson Jr. lived at 327 Cooper Street. He later moved to 303 East Maple Avenue in Merchantville NJ. After the death of his brother-in-law, Dr. Edward A.Y. Schellenger Sr. in 1917, his sister Lillian and nephew Edward A.Y. Schellenger Jr moved to a house around the corner at 33 Fithian Avenue. A charter member of the Camden Republican Club, he was aligned with William Joyce Sewell and David Baird. He first held office when elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 1900, and was county clerk of Camden County 1900-1920. A friend and political ally of J. Wesley Sell, the two were referred to as "the Damon and Pythias of Camden politics..., whose perpetual smiles and gentle demeanor have earned for them the sobriquet of the 'Laughing Statesmen'...." in the Trenton Times in March of 1902. Patterson was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from New Jersey in 1916 as an alternate, and in 1920 as a regular delegate. Francis Ford Patterson Jr. was elected to represent New Jersey’s 1st District in the United States House of Representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Congressman William J. Browning. He began serving November 2, 1920. Reelected in 1922 and 1924, he was an unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination in 1926. He had been defeated in the when he was defeated for re-nomination by Charles A. Wolverton, who was elected to the seat, and held it for the next 32 years. Francis Ford Patterson Jr. left Congress on March 3, 1927. Francis Ford Patterson Jr. was also engaged in the banking business in Camden. He was president of the West Jersey Trust Company from 1916 to 1925; and director of the West Jersey Title Company from 1920 to 1925. On May 16, 1927 he effected the merger of his West Jersey Trust Company with the Parkside Title and Trust Company, the new bank being called the West Jersey-Parkside Trust Company. He served as President of the new bank until his death in Merchantville, N.J., on November 30, 1935. He was buried at Colestown Cemetery in what was then Delaware Township (present day Cherry Hill) NJ. Francis Ford Patterson's brother Theodore N. Patterson was married to Fanny Thomas. Her father, Seth Thomas, was a tailor and in April of 1865 made the suit that President Lincoln was buried in. |
| BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW - 1897 | ||
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| Philadelphia Inquirer - June 29, 1891 | |
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Philadelphia Inquirer
June 29, 1891 James M. Lane |
| Philadelphia Inquirer * April 2, 1903 | |
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Frank
Ford Patterson Jr. |
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Philadelphia September 15, 1904 Charles
H. Ellis Click
on Image for Enlarged View |
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Philadelphia Inquirer - September 15, 1915 |
Charles
G. Garrison |
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| Events at the Church of the Immaculate Conception - March 17, 1920 |
| ECHOES Story by Mr. Daniel P. McConnell, of the Camden Post Telegram, for Wednesday, March 18, 1920 Camden last night gave a splendid welcome to the Very Rev. Dean William J. Citizens of other faiths, judges, doctors, lawyers and those in more humble stations of life, rubbed elbows in the vast audience that packed to capacity the Catholic Lyceum. All were present for a common purpose- to honor the new prelate, who comes to Camden with a splendid reputation as a Christian gentleman, patriot and ambassador of the Catholic Church. At the reception in the Lyceum, former Judge William T. Boyle presided. He in turn introduced Rev. Francis J. McCallion, who was acting pastor of the parish. Father McCallion was given a wonderful reception after Judge Boyle extolled his oratorical and executive ability. In a splendid speech Father McCallion paid a glowing tribute to Dean Fitzgerald, the subject of the evening's testimonial. James F. Lennon was the principal speaker for the occasion. Already famed for his ability as an orator, Mr. Lennon probably gave his best talk last night. It was a tribute to the new Dean and the members of the Catholic clergy and Sisters of Mercy. In his remarks Mr. Lennon told of the
duties of a priest, of his mission and his value to the community. To the good sisters a glowing tribute was also paid by the speaker. Mr. Lennon also lauded the public school
system and explained the principles of the parochial school. His reference to the 312
Immaculate Conception members who fought in the war for Democracy evoked a storm of applause. To the late and
lamented Monsignor Mulligan Mr. Lennon offered a deserved tribute. In the course of his address the Turning to Dean Fitzgerald Mr. Lennon extended to him a warm welcome after which he presented the pastor with a large basket of beautiful flowers, a gift of the ladies of the parish. Mayor Charles H. Ellis was warmly received and in a splendid talk the city's chief executive turned over the keys of the city. The Mayor's talk was punctuated with witty remarks concerning the "suburb of Philadelphia". The Mayor said that the great day had arrived when religious strife was no more and creeds were united for one common cause. With much feeling Dean Fitzgerald told of his appreciation of the great honor. He was visibly affected by the testimonial, but modestly stated that he considered it not only a reception to him, but to the members of the Catholic clergy. Dean Fitzgerald assured all that he was glad to come to Camden and he asked the hearty co-operation of his parishioners. He turned and gazed over the members of the reception committee seated on the stage and told how happy he was that men like former Senator Baird, County Clerk Patterson, Mayor Ellis and other big men of the city and county were present to do him honor. After the reception in the Lyceum Dean Fitzgerald adjourned to the parlor of the Lyceum where he met members of the parish and other friends. He stood under a canopy of flowers and colored electric lights. The guard of honor was
comprised of fifty-fourth degree Knights of Columbus. Unable to be present, because of previous engagements, Rev. Leon K. Willman, pastor of the Broadway M. E. Church, and Rev. Edwin F. Hann, of First M. E. Church, sent letters of regret in which they wished the new pastor success in his new fields of labor. Success of last night's eventful
occasion can be attributed to Rev. Francis J. This morning the church reception was held with a solemn high mass, which was sung by Dean Fitzgerald. F ather Whelan was deacon, Father Hennig, sub-deacon, and Father Shay, master of ceremonies. Father McCallion delivered a splendid sermon for the occasion and the singing of the altar boys was very fine. William H. Lorigan presided at the organ. Children of the parish this afternoon tendered a reception to the new pastor. The altar boys will present Dean Fitzgerald with an enlarged and framed likeness of himself. |
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| Philadelphia Inquirer * September 26, 1922 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Camden Courier-Post - September 18, 1933 |
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