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I wound like to take this time to thank Mr. Edward Schoenberger of Greensburg Kansas, who provided me with most of this information and without his help this page would have not been possible.
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Harrison Henry Patten, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., July 17, 1836 or 1837, depending on what records you look at. His early education was neglected and occasionally attended the neighborhood schools in winter, when the weather was unsuitable for work on the farm and in the "clearing," and for a short time attended an academy at New Lebanon, Ind. Began the study of law. Just before the breaking-out of the late war, and in April, 1861, at the age of 24, enlisted as private in Company I, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers (afterward mounted and formed part of "Wilder's Brigade" of Mounted Infantry in the Army of the Cumberland).
He was in active field service with the regiment until after the battle of Chickamauga and the campaign which followed, when in January, 1863, went before Board of Regular and Volunteer Officers, at Nashville, Tenn., organized for the purpose of examining applicants for commissions in colored troops.
When he went before the board of commissioners he had the backing of his fellow officers who and sent a letter to the president of commissioners which reads in part;
Murfreeborough Tennessee.
December 16, 1863.
“We the following officers belonging to the 17th., United States Colored Infantry, recommend Corporal Harrison H. Patten the Co. I. 17th Indiana Infantry as competent to fill the position of line officer in one of the Colored regiments now organizing for the United State service.”
He had been examined in November of 1863, and by February of 1864, he still had not received his orders.
So he wrote a letter to see if he could get a copy of his orders.
Camp of 17th. United States Colored Troops.
Murfreeborough, Tennessee, February 2, 1864.
Sir. I have been on duty in this regiment ( 17th., Colored ) since November last and was examined January 12, but not as yet received and official notification of the result of the examination an as my old regiment has reenlisted and gone home, and supposing that my detail has been sent to the commanding officer of the 17th., Indiana Volunteers, at the suggestion of Colonel_________ ?, I write to you for a copy of my detail, if it has been made and you have it?
Respectfully Yours.
Harrison H. Patten
Corporal Co. I., 17th., Indiana Volunteers.
Harrison would receive his orders and was commission of February 26, 1864, as a First Lieutenant in the 17th., United State Colored Volunteers. He would serve in companies D. & B. During his service he had an accidental wound and was rendered unfit for field duty and was appointed Post Treasurer of Nashville, Tenn. and afterward Provost Marshal sic of that place. Was mustered out of the service with command on the 29th day of April, 1866, having served as volunteer five years to a day.
On receiving discharge, came immediately to Miami County, Kan., and renewed the study of law and worked on farm. Was married to Miss Gertrude Pratt November 28, 1867, and as the fruits of said marriage there have been born three children--Flora Ann, born September 8, 1869, and died February 24, 1875; James Horace, born December 23, 1872; Nora, born July 11, 1880.
In December 12, 1884 a news story appeared in the Kinsley Graphic, which reads in part.
Mrs. Gertrude Patten died at Greensburg Kansas, December 12, 1884, of neuralgia of the stomach and nervous procreation, aged 37 years, 8 months and 11days.
Her Burial was at Fairview Cemetery and their daughter Flora Ann, who died before her in Kingman Kansas was removed and reburied at Fairview Cemetery.
On October 14, 1887, another story appeared in the New Paper, but this time it was with a happier note.
Married-At the residence of S. G. Disbrow, in this city on Tuesday Oct. 11, 1887, by the Rev. McCrea of Kinsley, Mr. H. H. Patten and Mrs. E. R. Geffs, both of this city.
The wedding was attended by only a few friends of the contracting parties, and immediately after the ceremony the happy couple boarded the Santa Fe train for the East. Where they will remain for a week or such matters.
Captain Patten is the Treasurer of Kiowa County, and is a man who is held high in the esteem of all who know him.
Mrs. Geffs is also to be congratulated for capturing such a prize as the Captain.
After Harrison H. Patten died, Elizabeth, married Tyler Coke Eberly. This author was unable to find any records pertaining to them.
Throughout his political career his name appeared in the Newspaper many times here are some of the Stories.
Kinsley Mercury, September 27, 1884.
H. H. Patten, attorney-at law, Greensburg, Kansas, a new town near Janesville, will attend to all matters pertaining to filings and final proofs, per-emptin lands, School land matters, and in fact all legal business entrusted to him. He has had long experience in the practice generally and is familiar with the practice in the U. S. Land Office.
Note-Janesville was established two miles west of Greensburg. The founders Greensburg, John Teda, Tom Pritchard and Cash Hopkins offered Donald R. “Cannonball” Green membership in the town company and many free lots if he would stop his stagecoach in Greensburg instead of Janesville. They also agreed to name the town in his honor. He later, while acting as president pro-tem of the Greensburg Town Company, offered to the citizens of Janesville free lots in Greensburg and to move all buildings to Greensburg free of Charge. Greensburg is located on a school quarter and a claim could be proved up much quicker. Another selling point was that the Greensburg Town Company had clear title to their claim while the Janesville Town Company did not. The move was effected, Greensburg received a post office and Jansville was no more.
One of the news stories was a human interest story which read.
Kinsley Mercury, May 2, 1885.
Captain Patten, when on the road from Greensburg, to Kinsley Monday, lost his pocket book containing about fifty dollars in money. The loss occurred between Greensburg and Martin Smith’s ranch. Charles Davison and James M. Sprague, of near Reeder, Comanche county, were coming along the road directly after Captain Patten passed and found his pocket book and returned it to him together with all it’s contents. Fortunately for the Captain his lost treasure fell into the hands of honest men.
In 1886, we once again find Captain Patten back in the political news.
Kinsley Mercury, February 13, 1886.
Kiowa County at last is a reality and the people of what were formerly the two southern tier of townships of Edwards county are correspondingly happy. The Bill for reestablishment passed the Senate Wednesday but with three dissenting votes, having met with little resistance in the House. Greensburg will no doubt be the county seat of Kiowa. While Edwards loses considerable territory through the operation, it would always been a bone of contention between the two sections of the county, and it is probably best that they have been allowed to withdraw in peace.
Kinsley Mercury, February 18, 1886.
H. H. Patten, of Greensburg came in from Topeka Thursday where he has been lobbying for the Bill to reestablish Kiowa county.
Kinsley Mercury, February 20, 1886.
Captain Patten came in from Topeka Thursday night. He informs us that the governor has issued his proclamation organizing Kiowa county and has appointed Mr. Olmstead, of Greensburg, as census enumerator.
Kinsley Mercury, March 27, 1887.
Captain Patten of Greensburg came in from Topeka Wednesday, he was happier than ever as he had the official paper designating Greensburg as the county seat of Kiowa county.
It should be noted that Captain Patten came and went by train to Topeka, but as Greensburg had no train service he had to go to Kinsley and use the service there.
The last time that Captain Harrison Henry Patten name will appear in the Newspaper is on June 28, 1889, when his death notice is announced. He died on June 24, 1889.
Stricken Down.
_______
H. H. Patten dies of Apoplexy at his home in this city.
_______________
Funeral rites and services mark the end of a noble useful career!
__________________
The people of our pleasant little city were started last Monday morning by the news that Captain H. H. Patten was dying. Hastily gathering at the house, the first comers learnd that the alarm was only too true, and that a stroke of apoplexy had already stricken Captain Patten. Transforming him without a moment’s warning from a strong, healthy man to a helpless inanimate from of clay.
The facts connected with Mr. Patten death are about as follows: The Captain was troubled somewhat with diarhoed, therefore on being awakened in the morning, he concluded to keep his bed and not rise as early as usual. Mrs. Patten arose and attended to household duties, thinking he needed rest and therefore did not disturb him. He was awake when she arose, but said he felt rather unwell and did not attempt to get up. He played with his last born, however, and seemed in good spirits.
After preparing and, with all the balance of the family, eating the morning meal, Mrs. Patten repaired to his room and discovered him, as she thought, in a dying condition. Alarming the neighbors, Mrs. Patten immediately sought every means at her command to restore him to consciousness, but without avail. Dr. Barnes was summoned at once, but t the vital spark was extinguished, never more to return. After an examination, Dr. Barnes pronounced it a stroke of apoplexy, and as such, the sudden cause of his death was explained.
Friends gathered and comforted the widow and orphaned children as best they could, but the loving husband and father was beyond the reach of mortal aid. The remains were taken in charge by the G. A. R., Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellow, societies and by the bar of Kiowa county by whom he was borne to-his last resting place in the Greensburg Cemetery, on Tuesday at 3 o’clock, with appropriate ceremonies, commemorative of his life work and deeds, Rev. McCrea conducting the funeral services at the Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. Thomas and Rev. Baird.
Captain Harrison Henry Patten, life works and deeds.
Was a private in the 17th. Indiana Cavalry.
Was a Lieutenant and Captain in the 17th United States Colored Troops.
Was the Provost General of Tennessee.
He taught school and studied law, in Miama county Kansas.
He was elected first Mayor of Kingman Kansas.
He aided in the building of the Wichita & Western Railroad in 1882-1883.
He was chiefly due the honor of building Greensburg, for he it was who planned and executed every movement which resulted in acquiring title and making a plat of the land.
He was Greensburg Town Company treasurer and secretary.
He was appointed a member of the first board of County Commissioners by the Governor.
He would be elected Kiowa County treasurer .
His life is ended and his work is over, but in the continuing growth of Greensburg and Kiowa county he, with others, has a monument erected to his deeds which will last until the end of time.
