Patton, James Edward 1832 - 1904
manufacturer, b. Allenville, Pa. He moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1846. In 1855 he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee where he dealt in paints, oils, and glassware. He incorporated his business in 1891 as James E. Patton and Co. (dissolved in 1913), and served as its president until 1900 when he formed the Patton Paint Co. to manufacture paints, oils, and varnishes. He was president of the Patton Paint Co. from 1900 until his death. His son, LUDINGTON PATTON, b. Milwaukee, began his business career in 1888 with James E. Patton and Co., serving successively as sales manager, secretary-treasurer, and vice-president. When the Patton Paint Co. was formed in 1900 he became vice-president of that firm, and from 1917 to 1920 was its president. In this capacity, Patton pioneered in profit-sharing systems, employee investment, and group insurance. After the merger of the Patton Paint Co. with the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. in 1920, Patton became vice-president in charge of the paint and varnish division of the consolidated company, serving in this capacity until his death. F. L. Holmes, et aI., eds., Wis. (5 vols., Chicago, 1946); J. G. Gregory, Hist. of Milwaukee (4 vols., Chicago, 1931); Encyclopaedia of Amer. Biog., n.s., 6 (1936); Milwaukee Journal, Feb. 5, 1904, Oct. 22, 1934.
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]