1846-1851, Lemuel B. Patterson

1846-1851, Lemuel B. Patterson

Lemuel B. Patterson was the first State Librarian when Iowa became a state. He was born in Rushville, Indiana, Sept. 12, 1824. He came to Iowa City in the spring of 1841, and was admitted to the State bar in 1846. It is reported that while holding office he drew up the first homestead law passed by the Iowa Legislature. He was a member of the Iowa City council in 1857-1859. On May 10, 1851, while serving as State Librarian, he married Miss Jane Hazard, who, with an infant son, died of cholera in 1856. In 1860, he became a practicing attorney, in partnership with Levi Robinson. The firm of Patterson & Robinson, Iowa City, was long reputed to be the oldest law firm in the State of Iowa. Patterson was a Democrat in politics; was City Attorney in 1868-1870, and again in 1874-1876. In 1874, he won the railroad bond suit for his city in the Supreme Court vs. Iowa City. Mr. Patterson accumulated some valuable city property and was to the last an influential citizen of the former State Capitol. He died March 15, 1897. History of Johnson County, Iowa containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. together with biographical sketches… Iowa City, IA: 1883. 891

State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008

This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa

JPEG

Still Image

0:\Shared\Karon\Librarians and State Library

State Library of Iowa

State Librarians of Iowa