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Jake and Kate Patton Family
Jake and Kate Patton Family
Jake (b. 1798) and Kate (b. 1800) Patton were the senior members of the first group of 11 settlers, adults and children, in the Oak Creek valley. They came over from the Big Piney River lumber camps to settle this virgin valley. Their daughter, Victoria (b. 1 Sep 1818), was with them on that first trip to the valley. Jake was a blacksmith and a gunsmith, by trade, with interests in horses and investments, especially land that he perceived would appreciate in value. Jake Patton was also very active politically, when it furthered his agenda, which it almost always did.
Victoria married Hugh Truesdale, another member of the original group into the valley, on her sixteenth birthday, 1 Sep 1833… that first fall in the valley together. Jake and Kate supported and worked closely with Victoria and Hugh throughout the rest of their lives.
Jake Patton took the lead in encouraging all valley residents to plan ahead, work together for the common good, and assume success would come from hard work, dedication to the common cause, and maintaining a positive outlook. Through the years, he was a supported of the "Fourth Sunday" observance as a day of rest from physical work, for socializing, and for community planning.
Jake was instrumental in getting the Oak Creek Township organized in 1841, serving as the first Central Trustee. He and Kate build a General Store and in 1942 obtained the first Post Office, with the name of Oak Springs.
In 1846, Jake Patton was elected the local State Representative, and Kate took over as Postmaster.
Following their dream, the town of Oak Springs was incorporated, on land they donated, in 1848. Jake served on the first Town Council.
After Robert Baldridge lost the County Commissioner seat in the 1857 election, Jake Patton won it back in 1859. He encouraged Hugh Truesdale to run for his seat in the legislature, which he did, successfully.
With the outbreak of the war, Jake Patton used his political experience and connections to receive a Cavalry Commission as Colonel, and proceeded to raise a full Regiment of Cavalry for the Union.
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