Background
Patterson, Thomas Macdonald was born on November 4, 1839 in Company of Carlow, Ireland. Son of James and Margaret (Mountjoy) Patterson.
editor journalist politician senator newspaper publisher
Patterson, Thomas Macdonald was born on November 4, 1839 in Company of Carlow, Ireland. Son of James and Margaret (Mountjoy) Patterson.
Came to the United States in childhood. 1 year at Asbury (now De Pauw) U., and 1 year Wabash College.
In Crawfordsville, Indiana, the young Patterson found work in a printing office and with a watchmaker and jeweler. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Patterson enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After leaving Congress, Patterson resumed the practice of law in Denver and purchased first the Rocky Mountain News in 1890 and later the Denver Times. During these years, Patterson was twice an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Colorado.
While a senator, Patterson served on the Lodge committee that investigated alleged war crimes in the Philippine-American War.
After leaving the Senate, Patterson published his newspaper until his death.
Member 45th Congress (1877-1879). Member Dem.
Married Katherine Grafton, 1863 (died 1902).